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A review by henrymarlene
Home Before Night by J.P. Pomare
3.0
There are still a few pandemic-trope books around, and this one is indirectly linked to the lockdowns that occurred in Melbourne Australia a few year ago. Yet this is not the centre of the story. The back stories of each of the characters are full of clues and references that are almost “blink and you’ll miss it” tasters. This book was more like a novel a to me, one that sped up faster as the chapters progressed. There is a sudden pace that rushes you to the end of the story so being open to those little twists and nuances is important.
What struck me in this book was the fear of disconnection, loss and how to deal with someone or something that seems to become out of reach. The whole premise of this story occurring in a lockdown is desensitizing for Lou and heightens the paranoia she is feeling. Is she being watched? Is it all in her mind? Is her son, Sam, just drifting as a normal teenager does? Is she just drinking too much? Is her ex-husband Marko a selfish idiot? The unease that JP Pomare writes into this story also helps to explore the impact of honesty and lying – what do families to protect the ones they love? What secrets do they keep and what are they willing to take to the grave? There are lots of questions to ponder on and ask as you read this, and that was the beauty of this book for me.
What struck me in this book was the fear of disconnection, loss and how to deal with someone or something that seems to become out of reach. The whole premise of this story occurring in a lockdown is desensitizing for Lou and heightens the paranoia she is feeling. Is she being watched? Is it all in her mind? Is her son, Sam, just drifting as a normal teenager does? Is she just drinking too much? Is her ex-husband Marko a selfish idiot? The unease that JP Pomare writes into this story also helps to explore the impact of honesty and lying – what do families to protect the ones they love? What secrets do they keep and what are they willing to take to the grave? There are lots of questions to ponder on and ask as you read this, and that was the beauty of this book for me.