I really liked this book, it was so well written and drew me in immediately.The only fault I would say is that I was hoping for a more definite conclusion for this troubled couple, but otherwise perfect. ( )

Great book. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is that I thought the ending wasn't quite right - a little too dramatic and "traditional" in a book which in many ways stands out as different. That said, this definitely rates as one of my best reads so far this year. As bizarre as this family is, I can imagine these events actually occurring, and I am interested in the way the main character gradually shifts from being somewhat strange to downright 'abnormal', raising the question of what really is 'normal'. I tend to subscribe to the view that 'madness' is largely a normal response to a mad situation, and in many ways that seems to be the thesis of this book. I also liked the way Morrall wove the 'splashes of colour' theme through the book. It's an interesting take on the world, to see things in terms of colours of not just objects but moods etc. I think I'll try to get hold of one of Morrall's subsequent works to see if she's a one-hit-wonder in terms of the sorts of books that I like. ( )

A novel about a family and depression and loss. Kitty lives in Birmingham and was bought up with her Father and brothers. She lives next door to her partner. At the beginning of the novel you feel that she is depressed and confused as she walks around the city and takes the circular bus. Gradually the story of why she feels this way unfurls and her life unravels. The brothers were hard to separate in my head but otherwise, the characters were strong and the novel is well written and gripping. ( )

Since I loved Natural Flights of the Human Mind so much when I read it 4 or 5 years ago, I’ve wanted to read anything this author writes. So, I got this Booker Prize finalist, Morrall’s debut novel. As before, she writes about an alienated woman, one who sees colors when she looks at people and who is in a downward spiraling domestic situation and psychological health because of secrets that drive her to the edge.

Kitty Wellington is a child of three when, as she's always been told, her mother dies in a car accident. She and her four brothers have grown up understanding that they are half-orphaned. Kitty is married to James Maitland, a computer programmer, who has a crippled foot and OCD. Due to their incompatible habits and damaged personalities they are unable to live together, instead occupying adjoining flats, an arrangement that apparently is unsuspected by their families. Neither of them is able to articulate their grief over and put behind them the death of their infant son Henry that has left Kitty unable to have children.

Then, on the day of her grandparents’ funeral all the secrets are revealed and Kitty’s world explodes. She commits two desperate acts that will change her life and her family's lives forever.

Morrall asks some Big Questions: When is it the right thing to do to withhold personal information for motives of protection that may produce unintended consequences? How can a person redeem themselves after seriously breaking the law? How can personal relationships survive the earthquake of revelation and stunning misbehavior? With her usual restraint, Morrall writes about damaged souls who’ve suffered horrific psychological trauma yet manage to stay afloat, retaining hope for themselves and for us. ( )

It's so good! It's the kind of book in which I get fully engaged with the character that I miss her when the book is finished. I love the way the author makes the character lovable. I don't know really how to explain it. With Good in Bed, I had many times where I disliked the main character for her character flaws and weaknesses. I judged her. In Colour, I never ever felt that way. I wanted to help the other characters understand the protaganist and not judge her. The novel swallows you into itself, so that you're part of it, not a spectator. And the story, or at least the main character, is fresh and original so that you want to keep reading.

It would make an excellent book club book because there's so much to discuss -- I could even use it in school, because there's no sex or swearing or anything, but it's 'clean' in a way that I didn't even notice it was until I actually thought about it, which is very welcome and rare.
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