Jennie Godfrey’s The Barbecue at No. 9 is a thoughtful study of relationships, from casual neighbourly acquaintances to new friendships and the shifting dynamics within families. Set against the buzz and anticipation of the Live Aid concert in the 1980s, the story begins when Lydia from number nine invites everyone in the close to a barbecue, bringing together a small community whose lives are more intertwined than they might first appear.

The novel works particularly well through its multiple points of view. Each of the main characters whose chapters we follow feels fully realised, with their own concerns and emotional baggage shaping how they interact with the people around them. The relationships never feel forced, and the supporting cast are equally believable as residents of a tight knit neighbourhood. Madge, the shopkeeper who seems to know everyone’s business and quietly judge it, is a great touch and instantly recognisable as the sort of figure most people have encountered at some point.

One of the more intriguing arrivals in the close is Rita, the new neighbour who moves into number fifteen under a cloud of mystery. Having returned to England after living on the other side of the world, fragments of her past slowly come to light as the story unfolds. Her chapters are particularly moving as the truth of the life she endured is revealed piece by piece. The quiet sadness that surrounds her story, along with the consequences she inevitably has to face by the end of the novel, makes her one of the most affecting characters in the book.

Hanna’s storyline is also compelling. As the narrative unfolds, you find yourself wanting to learn more about her situation and how it came to be. I thought I had worked out where her story was heading, but the outcome turned out differently, which I appreciated as it avoided feeling overly predictable. Even if it had gone the way I expected, the journey itself was engaging enough that it would not have mattered.

Steve’s chapters were some of the most moving. Having returned home after serving in Vietnam, he is trying to settle back into a quiet life with his mother in the close while carrying the weight of his experiences. His connection with a neighbour’s relative is handled with warmth and sensitivity, and it develops in a way that feels more hopeful than you might expect given the social climate of the decade in which the story takes place.

Godfrey’s writing style is easy to read and inviting. She weaves flashbacks through the narrative with a light touch, linking past events to the present in a way that never feels confusing or heavy handed. I also appreciated the pacing. The chapters are a comfortable length and keep the story moving without ever feeling rushed or overly dense.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. It captures the small dramas and quiet connections of community life with warmth and insight. I already have Godfrey’s previous novel on my to be read list, and after finishing The Barbecue at No. 9 I will definitely be picking it up soon.

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