Review of Only One Foot to the East
Posted: 14 Jun 2025, 18:14
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Only One Foot to the East" by Matthew R James.]
Only One Foot to the East by Matthew James is an enjoyable novel. This book details the lives of the characters Lucy and Brian as they experience life in the 1970s-80s. Lucy Ryan is a young lady raised in Sussex who suffers a horrible accident that results in her having a leg amputated as a teenager. Brian Patterson is a young man raised in Dublin whose mother is close friends with Lucy’s mother. Life takes them on different paths, but ultimately, their friendship is rekindled through a chain of events that is partially caused by Lucy’s disability.
What I like most about this book is that the author took the time to research to build the story, which makes it much more enjoyable. The depth of the research is recognized in the details of the surgery process for amputees, potential risks that may occur, and the numerous hardships they experience. Research also explored the culture that was popular amongst young people during that time. Readers learn that pacifism had emerged. Teens and young adults commonly used cannabis, psychedelics, and hard drugs such as heroin during that time. Meditation became a popular outlet to escape from anxiety and stress.
I am also intrigued that the author approached the topic of attraction to amputees. It is one that I rarely hear about and is considered controversial. Readers will encounter perspectives on this topic that are thought-provoking and insightful.
Overall, I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars, as I did enjoy this novel. However, the author should have developed the romance more between Lucy and her partners. I could not feel the chemistry between the characters. This book does contain some sexual content. This book is well-edited; I only found one grammatical error. This book may be best suited for adults, young and old.
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Only One Foot to the East
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Only One Foot to the East by Matthew James is an enjoyable novel. This book details the lives of the characters Lucy and Brian as they experience life in the 1970s-80s. Lucy Ryan is a young lady raised in Sussex who suffers a horrible accident that results in her having a leg amputated as a teenager. Brian Patterson is a young man raised in Dublin whose mother is close friends with Lucy’s mother. Life takes them on different paths, but ultimately, their friendship is rekindled through a chain of events that is partially caused by Lucy’s disability.
What I like most about this book is that the author took the time to research to build the story, which makes it much more enjoyable. The depth of the research is recognized in the details of the surgery process for amputees, potential risks that may occur, and the numerous hardships they experience. Research also explored the culture that was popular amongst young people during that time. Readers learn that pacifism had emerged. Teens and young adults commonly used cannabis, psychedelics, and hard drugs such as heroin during that time. Meditation became a popular outlet to escape from anxiety and stress.
I am also intrigued that the author approached the topic of attraction to amputees. It is one that I rarely hear about and is considered controversial. Readers will encounter perspectives on this topic that are thought-provoking and insightful.
Overall, I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars, as I did enjoy this novel. However, the author should have developed the romance more between Lucy and her partners. I could not feel the chemistry between the characters. This book does contain some sexual content. This book is well-edited; I only found one grammatical error. This book may be best suited for adults, young and old.
******
Only One Foot to the East
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon