What July Knew by Emily Koch

 

In the sweltering hot summer of 1995 July Hooper turns ten. July's birthday has always been a bittersweet event as it's also the anniversary of her mother's death. On her second birthday July's mother was killed in a car accident. Since that day no-one talks about her mother, Maggie. Overtime July has become desperate to know more about her mother and has managed to glean 18 facts about her, facts she keeps hidden like secrets. July desperately wants to know more and when her teacher sets a holiday project to learn about a family member it seems like an ideal opportunity. Little does July realise that her quest to know more is going to have cataclysmic effects on her life.

Right from the start this is a story that is going to break your heart. July Hooper is a child desperate to be loved but only seems to receive rejection, antipathy, derision and violence. Despite being described as "nice, sweet and good natured" little affection is shown towards her. July isn't an annoying, needy child trying to wheedle her way into people's affections, she spends the vast majority of her time in the shadows, trying to stay out of everyone's way and not annoy anyone.

July is desperate for her father's approval. Over time she has learned the signs for when he is in a bad mood and she will have a "lesson to learn", a lesson that will involve some form of physical abuse. I was filled with anger that a young child should have to live in a situation like this and incredibly sad that July believes this type of behaviour is normal and acceptable. July tries to excuse the abuse as she is aware that in the following days her father's temperament will have improved and he will show her some affection; the loving touches and comments she craves.

Contrasted with the abuse July receives is the kindness shown towards her step-sister, Sylvie, who is the same age. Sylvie is an attention seeker who thinks nothing of telling tales, thus causing more problems for July. Sylvie's mother, Auntie Shell, is cool towards July. The behaviour of these characters make you want to snatch July away from the household and protect her. It is only as you move through the story that you realise they are terrified of July's father, Mick. He hasn't abused them physically but there is definitely coercive abuse happening.

July's maternal grandmother offers some relief. She adore's her grand-daughter but is still struggling to come to terms with the death of her daughter, she's also no match for Mick Hooper.

Unable to ask questions about her mother July begins to seek information elsewhere. Being set in 1995 this means having to ask people, use parish records or search newspapers stored on microfiche. This all adds to the nostalgic feel of the story. During her search July receives lots of conflicting information, this raises her hopes that her mother may still be alive. As a reader I then had just as many questions as July. Where is Maggie Hooper? Why won't anyone talk about her? Why has she abandoned July?

What July Knew by Emily Koch will be published on 9th February 2023 in hardback, ebook and audio format. My thanks to NetGalley and Harvill Secker publishers for a review copy.