John Leahy (1)

John Leahy’s ‘The Faith’ tells the story of Ella, a young woman who leaves her job in the financial district after cocaine addiction lands her in hospital. In her new life, she meets Alicia, a musician in a covers band with an equally turbulent past. The two women becomes friends and, later, lovers, as they try to launch Alicia’s music onto a wider stage.

Unfortunately, this book did not impress, for several reasons. Firstly, the narrative shows a prime example of bisexual erasure. show more Two women with proven histories of sexual, romantic relationships with men start a relationship with each other and, despite both continuing to desire (and sleep with) men as the plot progresses, constantly refer to themselves simply as lesbians. At one point, early on in the plot, Ella does contemplate whether or not she is bisexual, but ultimately decides that she is not. Bisexuality is under-represented enough in fiction, without it being explicitly written-out when it does appear.

Secondly, throughout the story Ella funds various characters from her personal bank account. We are lead to believe that she was in a very lucrative career before her cocaine addiction landed her in hospital and rehab, but very early in the story her boss asks her to come back, tempting her with an increased paycheck that would mean she would be able to retire very early. Despite turning down this offer, she hands out seemingly limitless money to various characters as the plot progresses. Her girlfriend doesn’t have the money to try and promote herself as an artist, her brother’s business is failing. Both get incredibly huge hand-outs, and at no point is the source of this money discussed or explained.

Thirdly, there were many moments where belief had to be suspended in this book. In one prime example, about half-way through the story it is revealed that Alicia has a daughter with an ex-lover. She has refused to have anything to do with the child since her birth, leaving her in the care of her ex and his mother. After one conversation with Ella about this, her entire perspective on the situation is reversed, and all it takes is one phone-call and one meeting with her daughter to have her be a large part of her life, visiting seemingly every day without any hard feelings.

Whilst the plot is, for the most part, unbelievable and awkwardly tied together, what Leahy does do well is the scene-setting. Set against the recent financial crash, the responses of both characters and settings are highly accurate. People with booming businesses start to struggle, expensive cars become smaller, houses are downsized, and wherever you look there are signs of financial failure. Sparks like this salvage this book, but ultimately the plot is just too weak and unlikely. show less

The Faith by John Leahy is a very weak plotted book. As the book begins the main character Ella is returning home from rehabilitation due to a problem with cocaine. Ella had a lucrative career as a hedge fund trader before going into rehab. After Ella got clean she decided she did not go back to work due to all this money she has, how much we are never really told but when someone need funds she can write huge checks. Ella meet Alicia who was in a band and became involved with her. Ella show more moved into Alicia's place. It struck me as strange that Ella started calling herself a lesbian, while both of the characters still wanted to be with men also. That would make them bisexual especially since they both had affairs with men. The writer really messed that up and if you read the book you will find some other strange things in their relationship. Also here is another not right situation that took place in the book. Alicia had a child names Rosie that was 5 years old but Alicia did not want to be a part of her life when she had gotten pregnant because she was in a band that was doing great and did not want to give the possibility of fame up, which did not work out for her. So one day Ella convinces her to be with her daughter and then they are one happy family. The kid is 5 I do not see how that would be possible. Oh that is my mommy! I love you! After never being a part of her life. I do not think so. Ella decides to fund Alicia in a new band and CD all expenses paid. Who just has unlimited money? Through out the book Ella is always surrounded by people with cocaine, everybody has some. Does she relapse or worse. That is not for me to tell. Unless you ask me on my blog and for this one I might give away the ending.
(I got this book from LibraryThing for a honest review) show less

The Faith by John Leahy is a very weak plotted book. As the book begins the main character Ella is returning home from rehabilitation due to a problem with cocaine. Ella had a lucrative career as a hedge fund trader before going into rehab. After Ella got clean she decided she did not go back to work due to all this money she has, how much we are never really told but when someone need funds she can write huge checks. Ella meet Alicia who was in a band and became involved with her. Ella show more moved into Alicia's place. It struck me as strange that Ella started calling herself a lesbian, while both of the characters still wanted to be with men also. That would make them bisexual especially since they both had affairs with men. The writer really messed that up and if you read the book you will find some other strange things in their relationship. Also here is another not right situation that took place in the book. Alicia had a child names Rosie that was 5 years old but Alicia did not want to be a part of her life when she had gotten pregnant because she was in a band that was doing great and did not want to give the possibility of fame up, which did not work out for her. So one day Ella convinces her to be with her daughter and then they are one happy family. The kid is 5 I do not see how that would be possible. Oh that is my mommy! I love you! After never being a part of her life. I do not think so. Ella decides to fund Alicia in a new band and CD all expenses paid. Who just has unlimited money? Through out the book Ella is always surrounded by people with cocaine, everybody has some. Does she relapse or worse. That is not for me to tell. Unless you ask me on my blog and for this one I might give away the ending.
(I got this book from LibraryThing for a honest review) show less