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marywahlmeierbracciano's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Rumaan Alam’s excellent foreword is what convinced me to read this book, which features incredible writing by locally-obscure Australian master Helen Garner. Set in the 1980s, it shows its age only in a few instances concerning behaviors which are no longer widely socially acceptable (i.e., ableism, racism, sex with a minor). That aside, it is a thoughtful novel which uses music as motif to explore the stumbling dance of “modern life.” It begs the question, What makes someone a good person or a bad one? With nuanced characters and complicated relationships, this is the product of a practiced hand.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism
Moderate: Infidelity and Racism
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Violence, and Sexual content
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