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A review by louiseallan
The Secrets at Ocean's Edge by Kali Napier
5.0
This book is set in 1932 when, after a series of financial misfortunes, Ernie and Lily Hass and their daughter Girlie escape their farm and the tiny West Australian town of Perenjori for a new start running a guest house in coastal Dongarra.
But starting again isn't easy, and Lily's attempts to climb the social ladder are thwarted by Ernie's ineptitude in business.
Holding them back, too, are their secrets, which they try to keep hidden not only from the townsfolk of Dongarra, but from each other as well. One by one, though, their secrets are revealed and it looks as if they'll lose everything again.
Added to the mix are Lily's forlorn and shell-shocked brother, Tommy, and the question of who are Girlie's real parents.
Napier's prose is delightful, and has about it a lyrical simplicity:
'It's pretty out here at night. The stars. You know, I sometimes wonder if they're not all the souls of people we've lost, set up there to watch over us, let us know we're going to be all right.'
The book covers many themes, including the devastating aftermath of war, the importance of family, and racism in early twentieth century Australia. The characters are flawed but likeable, and beg the question: How much can people really change?
The historical period in which the novel is set feels authentic and the research involved is obvious. Napier also knows when to keep a secret and when to reveal it, giving away just enough to keep the reader turning the page.
This is a beautiful book—a literary page-turner!
But starting again isn't easy, and Lily's attempts to climb the social ladder are thwarted by Ernie's ineptitude in business.
Holding them back, too, are their secrets, which they try to keep hidden not only from the townsfolk of Dongarra, but from each other as well. One by one, though, their secrets are revealed and it looks as if they'll lose everything again.
Added to the mix are Lily's forlorn and shell-shocked brother, Tommy, and the question of who are Girlie's real parents.
Napier's prose is delightful, and has about it a lyrical simplicity:
'It's pretty out here at night. The stars. You know, I sometimes wonder if they're not all the souls of people we've lost, set up there to watch over us, let us know we're going to be all right.'
The book covers many themes, including the devastating aftermath of war, the importance of family, and racism in early twentieth century Australia. The characters are flawed but likeable, and beg the question: How much can people really change?
The historical period in which the novel is set feels authentic and the research involved is obvious. Napier also knows when to keep a secret and when to reveal it, giving away just enough to keep the reader turning the page.
This is a beautiful book—a literary page-turner!