Having read The Music Room, I realise that I have a lot in common with William Fiennes - we were both blessed with older brothers suffering the consequences of brain damage. Our younger lives were dominated by the trauma that living with a sibling plagued by severe epileptic fits brings, not to mention the episodes of erratic and frequently aggressive behaviour. Sadly, we both came to mourn the loss of that precious person in our lives. That is were the similarity ends, for William Fiennes spent his childhood living at the family castle, its grassy acres and moat his playground, my early days were spent in much humbler circumstances.

However, of course, the greatest contrast between us is that he writes about this part of his childhood with an eloquence that few could manage. The whole book exudes humour and warmth and the love for his family is palpable. I particularly enjoyed the portraits Fiennes pens of his parents - his father sat at the card table collecting entrance fees on days that the castle was open to the public; his mother applying WD40 to suits of armour to keep the hinges working and guiding groups of Groined Passage.

A wonderful book, a story beautifully told and one I shall return to again and again. ( )

This book is written in such a gentle manner that although it is one of loss it is also filled with tender humour. Reading it made me laugh and cry and so eloquent is Fienne’s writing that I felt as though I was sitting with him as he related his family’s tale. The tenderness and loving memories that fill this novel make for a powerful read. I could vividly picture the young lad as he wandered their castle and tried understand his older brother’s behaviour. Through it all the love of the whole family and the respect they had for each other just shines through. This is a testament to the power of love and is a beautiful memorial to Fienne’s late brother. ( )