Breaking Faith was inspired by a visit to an unusual geological site in an area of outstanding beauty; the Yorkshire Dales in England. I was site-seeing and visiting the Buttertubs, a group of deep sink holes set on the edge of a steep valley. Staring into the largest and deepest, I was suddenly struck by the question, 'What if there was a body down there?' From this simple speculation came the novel. My love of the area, interest in photography, dislike of organised religion, love of women and fascination with character all merged to create this piece of fiction. It's primarily a romance with thriller elements and some erotic content, which is essential to the structure. So far, most people have said that once they've started to read, they can't put the book down; a pretty good recommendation.
Karen Wolfe
This is a story of triumphant human spirit. Heroine Faith's rite of passage from horrific neglect and abuse to fulfilment and true love is an inspiring one. Stuart Aken's novel, set in the summer of 1976, simmers with heat, lust, decadence and sexuality, all of which Faith transcends to become her own woman. I loved the Yorkshire Dales setting, and I was rooting for Faith all the way to her well-deserved happy ending. Stuart Aken is indeed a writer to watch.
By S. D. Mace "Shirley Mace"
(High Bentham)
(REAL NAME)
After several years
of not having the time or making time to read novels I could not believe how
determined this book was to make me read it and was surprised how quickly I
read it and how much I enjoyed reading it.
"Breaking Faith" is about a young naive, innocent girl, set in the
summer of 1976, it details Faith's journey from one of isolation, deprivation
and abuse where she is bullied by Heacham, acting as his skivvy and financial
support and also nursemaid to her brain damaged sister, to enlightenment and
self-knowledge in which she slowly falls in love with Leighton and overcomes
all the obstacles that are put in her way. Writing from alternating
perspectives (Faith and Leighton) adds detail, richness, interest and
understanding of the characters. A shocking but captivating story that is
definitely worth reading.
By Mr. P. F. Field (UK)
(REAL NAME)
"Breaking
Faith" is the story of Faith, ignorant, naive and completely overshadowed
by the sadistic bully Heacham. Faith struggles to nurse her brain-damaged
younger sister, skivvy for Heacham and be the family's total financial support.
Awakening comes as she gets a job with Leighton, the local glamour photographer
and she falls in love with him, despite the terrifying threats from Leighton's
assistant, the disgusting Mervyn.
I read this book in one sitting, unwilling to put it down, immersed in the
Yorkshire of the sweltering summer of 1976 and Faith's journey from darkness to
self-knowledge. Her sometimes frightening honesty wash all hypocrisy away, for
she is a girl who sees things as they are and tells it the way it is. The book
is written from the alternating perspective of Faith and Leighton, giving the
reader a greater understanding of their interactions with each other and those
around them. The characters are drawn with a fine brush, especially Faith's
mother and father. The denouement is sudden, violent and completely satisfying.
By Michelle Mccabe (Gateshead, North East
England)
I thought this was a
really original story with an intriguing hero and an even more intriguing
eponymous heroine. I also felt an intense dislike for some of the other
characters meaning Stuart Aken's characterisations were really well done and
the denouement tied all of the plots up to a surprising conclusion. Switching
the first person narrative from one to the other and looking at the same events
from both sets of eyes was a wonderful means of seeing the reasoning behind
both of their actions. The story compelled me to read and read and read (a
habit that, with an eight year old son, I confess, I have lost recently).
I would recommend it to anyone and look forward to reading Stuart's next novel!
A triumph of good over evil and an enthralling read
Reader Rating See Detailed Ratings
Posted April 13, 2009, 1:37 PM EST Barnes and noble, by Retreiver470:
"Breaking Faith" is the story of Faith, ignorant, naive and completely overshadowed by the sadistic bully Heacham. Faith struggles to nurse her brain-damaged younger sister, skivvy for Heacham and be the family's total financial support. Awakening comes as she gets a job with Leighton, the local glamour photographer and she falls in love with him, despite the terrifying threats from Leighton's assistant, the disgusting Mervyn. I read this book in one sitting, unwilling to put it down, immersed in the Yorkshire of the sweltering English summer of 1976 and Faith's journey from darkness to self-knowledge. Her sometimes frightening honesty wash all hypocrisy away, for she is a girl who sees things as they are and tells it the way it is. The book is written from the alternating perspective of Faith and Leighton, giving the reader a greater understanding of their interactions with each other and those around them. The characters are drawn with a fine brush, especially Faith's mother and father. The denouement is sudden, violent and completely satisfying.
A compelling human story
Review by AJ Field
I have read some of Stuart Aken’s earlier work and he always writes with an immediacy that goes straight to the heart. “Breaking Faith” is the story of one girl’s journey from horrific abuse and bullying, through emotional turmoil, to finding love. But, of course, Aken doesn’t make it easy for her. This is no girl meets boy moonlight and roses book. It is, in parts, deeply disturbing, especially the character of Heacham and his treatment of Faith and her brain-damaged sister. Richness comes from the alternating perspectives of the two main characters, Faith and Leighton. Faith is a girl who sees things as they are and tells it like it is. The way Aken writes his characters pulls your emotions from one to the other. And over all of this is another character, the Yorkshire Dales in the searing summer of 1976. It pervades the action of the book, mirroring the lives of the characters in its landscape. The story builds to a wholly satisfying climax that is sudden and violent, but fitting. It is a book I shall read again.
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