Book Review: The Buried Life by Andrea Goldsmith

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This story follows the lives of three people; Adrian an academic who specialises in the study of death, Kezi a young artist who is estranged from her parents and Laura, a town planner who hides problems about her seemingly perfect marriage.

Adrian, just out of a long-term relationship meets Laura at a cheese shop. He also happens to be Kezi’s neighbour. These three navigate the changes which happen to turn their lives upside down.

I had read only one other book by Goldsmith and I confess to not liking it at all (Reunion). I was reticent about this one particularly the pace of the first fifty pages. Soon I was thoroughly engaged with the characters and the clever way Goldsmith changed their arcs particularly Adrian who at first seems dull and spineless but towards the end reveals what a wonderful man he really is.

Laura on the other hand was more complex stuck in a marriage which was controlled by a spineless selfish man. The unravelling of the marriage drew sympathy as well as appreciation when she finally makes some decisions.

There is sadness with Kezi as well as joy and deep friendship and of course the setting in Melbourne made it all the more relatable. There was also reference to music which I didn’t fully engage with but nevertheless the writing is excellent.

There’s a lot to this book so give it a go.

Book Review: Gravity Let Me Go by Trent Dalton

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This is a tale about a man, Noah Cork who is an investigative journalist searching for answers to an unresolved murder. When he gets a message in his letterbox, he’s sent on a wild goose chase trying to uncover what happened and hopefully the murderer. Along the way his obsession manages to turn everyone against him even his long-suffering wife who suddenly stops speaking.

I normally like Trent Dalton’s books even though they have tended towards the whacky. This one takes it even further.

Noah is unhinged and manic making it truly hard to sympathise with him. He is self-centred and the only saving grace is his daughter Clem who at nine years of age seems more adult than her father. At one stage, I thought Rita had died despite her being diagnosed as being mute. I needed to remind myself that the story is from Noah’s point of view and because he was so self-absorbed how could he see the woman he’s taken for granted? The resolution about Rita never comes and that was frustrating. Perhaps she was dead after all?

I couldn’t buy into the police and their dismissal of him either and the whole thing became a little tedious. It wasn’t until the last quarter of the book that things changed pace and the climax was satisfying.

Overall, it’s not my favourite book of Dalton’s.

Book Review: Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth

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I always enjoy Sally Hepworth’s books. They are easy to read with shades of light and dark with devious twists. Mad Mabel is no exception.

Elsie Mabel Fitzpatrick is eighty-one living on the same street for decades concealing a horrible past. The tale switches between her childhood and present day when someone reveals her secret: she was a murderer. Coupled that with the death of the next-door neighbour and you have a great story with twists you won’t see coming.

You really can’t go too wrong with this novel. The character of Mabel is simply lovable, her eccentricities, her care and gruffness all make her delightful.

There are so many issues, Hepworth tackles: parental neglect, loneliness, grooming, small town prejudices, aging and more.

I really enjoyed this mystery; the characters and the story kept me turning the page. If you haven’t read any of Sally’s books, try this one first then tackle the rest.

Book Review: When Things Are Alive, They Hum by Hannah Bent

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This is a story about two sisters bound together by their unfailing love for each other.  Marlowe is a scientist studying in London while her sister, Harper who has Downs Syndrome and a congenital heart disorder lives with their father in Hong Kong. Harper’s health begins to rapidly deteriorate and when Marlowe flies home she is desperate to get her sister a transplant despite objections from Harper herself, her father and medical staff.

Told from both sister’s point of view, it’s a moving story of love, loss, grief, the right to choose how to die, and Chinese treatment of organs.

Harper who sees everything in a positive light is quite delightful as she is insightful and I warmed to her character. Her sister Marlowe tends to lose the plot entirely racing towards an ill-thought out and dangerous plan. It is hard to fathom the selfishness of her actions. But under it all is unresolved issues with the death of her mother and her feelings of responsibility as the older sister.

The subject matter is tough but the characters themselves didn’t quite come together for me. Perhaps I couldn’t see them as being completely authentic and I found it hard to buy into Marlowe’s actions at times.

Nevertheless it was an interesting read even if a little heavy handed at times.

Book Review: Mrs Kelly: The Astonishing Life of Ned Kelly’s Mother by Grantlee Kieza

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Ned Kelly has become folk lore here in Australia and there’s been a long-held fascination with him. While this book is about him, it’s also about what came before, notably his mother’s background story and the battles she had raising her family and keeping them alive.

Ellen Kelly was nine when she arrived on a ship in 1841 and died at 93 having outlived a number of her twelve children. She was also a pioneer trying with her ex-convict husband to forge existence on the land, harsh and unforgiving.

This is a remarkably well researched book and while Ellen is often overshadowed by her son’s story it is done within context of the landscape, the family and the difficulty placed on them by the law. It’s hardly surprising, the family turned to crime to survive then revenge when authorities were unfair.

I learnt a lot about the difficulties for women especially those in dire circumstances. Kieza also gives quite an insight into Ned for he was indeed quite unhinged when you review the crazy stunts he pulled.

I also enjoyed reading about the history of those places I’ve visited giving a better appreciation.It’s well written, meticulously researched with honest interpretation of events. Check this one out.

A New Novel Is Coming!

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I’ve been off line for most of the year while I write my sixth novel called Stanley Place. It will be out later in the year. I’m excited to share more with you coming months.

While I haven’t shared any book reviews for a while, I haven’t stopped reading so the reviews will roll out so watch out for them in the coming weeks.

Book Review: Hollow Girl by Lyn Yeowart

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It may be a long read but it’s a thrilling page turner of historical crime and mystery.

A dual time-line novel, the setting is 1961 and 1973 in Harrowford Hall, a home for unwed young women in country Victoria.  A body is discovered there in 1973 as the Home is being prepared for closure and a female detective is reluctantly given the case by her superior.

This is a powerful novel digging up the issues of unwed mothers, their treatment as well as those of their offspring. This is coupled with the sexism within the police force reflecting the disapproval across broader society.

Yeowart does a remarkable job uncovering these themes and at times it gets quite dark with twists I didn’t expect. It’s a well-researched story of the era, completely captivating page after page even if a little confronting.

You won’t put this one down until the last page is turned. Give it a go.