Set in the 1990s, in Northumberland and Northern Ireland, The Monarch, is a potrayal of life in a heavily industrial culture, forced to reinvent itself as its once beloved industries find themselves in decline. The story gives an intimate picture of the Compton family, who are at the heart of society in the region.Jennings paints a vivid picture of the setting behind his novel, rich with detail. I enjoyed the stream of consciousness writing style. The story is interwoven with a number of very strong characters who each bring a piece of the unique culture of the North – East region. Jennings also does a remarkable job of incorporating the regional dialect and accent into the writing.

Jennings is a masterful storyteller and I look forward to reading more from him.

Heidi Slowinski