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The Extra Large Medium by Helen Slavin
01/05/2008 . Source: Sue Davies 
pub: Pocket Books/Simon and Schuster. 229 page paperback. Price: £ 6.99 (UK). ISBN: 978-1-84739-122-3. Buy The Extra Large Medium in the USA - or Buy The Extra Large Medium in the UK  check out website: www.simonsays.co.uk
Annie Colville sees dead people. Ghosts, spirits and echoes of people she knows and doesn't know. They are attracted to her and bring their unfinished business whether she wants it or not. They are solid flesh and for some reason are always dressed in chocolate brown.
It's no surprise to learn that Annie herself is dead to the world. Her bourbon biscuit obsession is her way of hiding from a cruel world. Exposed constantly to the sprits, she has little chance of making here own life. Annie has learnt to hide and then love comes along and blows her cover.
Her mother is a nurturer who doesn't understand why Annie is always talking to someone in the kitchen. Her Aunt just wants to exploit her talent. As it turns out she has an inherited skill from Sidney, the extra large medium of the title. Annie doesn't want it and tries running but the world wants her and she can't run from the walking dead forever.
Despite the heavy issues, this is a wonderfully lightly-whisked novel. Ironic and skull-tapping along with a little table-tapping it is blissfully witty and warm. No matter what you think about life after death this is a strong contender for the wisdom of living life before death.
Helen Slavin's novel has barely scraped onto the bookshelves and shelf-life itself is so limited I am lucky to have found it. It's longer than a novella but not a back-aching read and it can be read in a couple of medium sessions. Sorry about the pun.
Sue Davies
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