A Perfect Year?

Three families. Three stories. Three decades.

by Ruth Foster

England 1987-2007. Every December, the residents of Paradise View in leafy Upley Rising write up their annual round robin letters to send to their friends, family and people they inexplicably swapped addresses with on holiday years earlier and have never seen again. “ A Perfect Year” by Ruth Foster uses this relatable and intriguing format to cut a swathe through middle England of the 1980, 90s and 2000s. The story revolves around three neighbours: Ali, Caroline, and Robert, each with their own unique challenges and secrets. Ali struggles with financial woes and a chaotic household, while Caroline, with her rock star connections, seems to glide effortlessly through life. Robert, the seemingly respectable third neighbour, finds his mundane existence unexpectedly disrupted. The story unfolds through the annual tradition of round robin newsletters, where each character presents a polished version of their year, leaving readers to question the truth behind the cheerful façades.

Foster masterfully blends humour and intrigue, weaving in a local murder mystery and the peculiar happenings at the village’s ancient summer festival. The contrast between the characters’ public personas and their private realities is both amusing and thought-provoking, making for a compelling read. The book’s witty commentary on social pretensions and the art of keeping up appearances is sure to resonate with fans of women’s fiction and those who appreciate a good laugh. “A Perfect Year?” is a must-buy for anyone looking to enjoy a humorous yet insightful take on the complexities of neighbourly relations and the stories we tell ourselves and others.