The Decline of Emory Hill
- Andy Bracken
- Nov 1, 2018
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 5
The Decline Of Emory Hill’ is the story of a sensitive man who ‘declines’ himself each time that he encounters envy in his life, as he attempts to find his place in the world.
Born to apparent affluence in 1965, at fourteen, the world that he knows is shattered when family bankruptcy is declared.
In current times, Emory Hill is fifty-two, homeless, destitute and in possession of little more than the clothes in which he is clad. He’s also in a police station, being assessed on his mental state, and whether he can be charged under the Criminal Justice System.
As he reflects, we follow the young Emory as he attempts to re-establish himself; a sequence of events and relationships, both high and low, that shape and define him. Every time that he can taste and touch happiness, it is snatched away from him via ‘the human condition’, as he terms it: Envy.
Author Notes
It’s a book about Emory Hill, and his search for somewhere to belong, his journey, and what shapes him.
Another favourite author of mine, Jack London, wrote quite often of people being clay, and therefore malleable. We’re all moulded by life experience. Good and bad. Just as we’re all affected by every single person we meet in life, positively or negatively.
Ultimately, this is a tale of envy. And that envy influences everything that happens to Emory. As one reviewer wrote, “sadly it is all entirely believable, which makes the narrative even more poignant.”
I like this book, despite its poor comparative sales. It is another of those that deserved to do a lot better than it did. In some ways, it’s the antithesis of its predecessor, ‘Across The Humpty Dumpty Field’. In ‘Humpty’, we read of someone who should never have left. In Emory, we learn about a man who is absolutely correct in moving on and leaving the past behind.
Once published, I took stock once more. Rather than crack on with another novel, I’d tweak ‘Reflections Of Quercus Treen’, bring the geography in line with the Brakeshire map, and add a short story I’d written, in order to offer people something unique to go with the new cover design.
The person who was supposed to supply the cover image never delivered. I never heard from him again!
So I cobbled a cover together, republished it as (rather catchily!), ‘Reflections Of Quercus Treen / Meek - East Brakeshire Tales’, and, feeling a little disillusioned, decided to take some time off from writing.
That didn’t happen, as it turned out.
Reviews
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ An engaging, unpredictable and provocative story
"I knew nothing about the book before I started to read, I was inspired by having experienced other great novels from Andy Bracken - but even the text on the back didn't prepare me for what was inside, as things Emory's story unfolded. Sadly it is all entirely believable, which makes the narrative even more poignant. Like other of Andy's books, my reading is just the beginning, the stories and themes resonate and ruminate in my head for a while after, like dropping a stone in a pond. This one certainly gets more intense towards the end with the surprises and twists Mr. Bracken is so good at delivering. I didn't see the ending coming, but then, neither did Emory!"
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Another great book from Andy Bracken
"...Someone (I think it was Brian Eno) said that very few people bought the first Velvet Underground album when it was released. But everyone who did buy it formed a band. Well, for me, the very same thought should be valid for Andy Bracken’s books. Not many people bought them. But I’m sure that every single reader was inspired and moved by this writer’s writing, by his stories and by his characters. And I’m sure that in the future many more people will be touched by Andy Bracken’s unique talent. I’ve never finished one of his books the same way I started it. His books have the power to change us and make us think. Emory Hill was no exception. An amazing story, a very moving reading experience. A great character that, more times than I should, I could identify with. And that’s the power of this novel. There were moments I wanted to get into the book and help Emory Hill to face his demons and to fight for himself. A tremendous book. A great experience. Another inspiring book by a very talented writer."
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