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A review by zoenosis
The Harp in the South by Ruth Park
4.0
I laughed, I cried, and then I did it all again.
I wouldn't say this book has a "plot" as such, but rather a truly amazing cast of characters and Park's incisive commentary, so if you're into plot-driven novels then this may not be for you. I tried reading this once before, a few years back, and was put off by this at first, and that's why I can't give it a full five stars. Now, as then, I found the beginning a little bit plodding - but goodness, the way it all builds and builds towards the ending is absolutely masterful. I'll be thinking about these characters - Hugh, Mumma, Roie, Dolour, Grandma, Patrick, Miss Sheily - for a long time.
If you don't mind waiting a bit to get through the first few chapters, this book packs a massive punch. Seeing this family grow up and change together truly touched me, and I reached the end with actual tears in my eyes, after laughing out loud (weird for me) not two pages earlier. Even if I can't quite imagine Surry Hills as a slum, the book resonates really well with modern Australia, going through religion, family, sex, love, poverty, racism, family violence, multiculturalism, substance abuse, and ridiculous rent prices (ha!) which are all delicately woven in through this one little tale. It feels so small, and yet so big at the same time - just perfect in its aim and execution. I wish more people had read it!
I wouldn't say this book has a "plot" as such, but rather a truly amazing cast of characters and Park's incisive commentary, so if you're into plot-driven novels then this may not be for you. I tried reading this once before, a few years back, and was put off by this at first, and that's why I can't give it a full five stars. Now, as then, I found the beginning a little bit plodding - but goodness, the way it all builds and builds towards the ending is absolutely masterful. I'll be thinking about these characters - Hugh, Mumma, Roie, Dolour, Grandma, Patrick, Miss Sheily - for a long time.
If you don't mind waiting a bit to get through the first few chapters, this book packs a massive punch. Seeing this family grow up and change together truly touched me, and I reached the end with actual tears in my eyes, after laughing out loud (weird for me) not two pages earlier. Even if I can't quite imagine Surry Hills as a slum, the book resonates really well with modern Australia, going through religion, family, sex, love, poverty, racism, family violence, multiculturalism, substance abuse, and ridiculous rent prices (ha!) which are all delicately woven in through this one little tale. It feels so small, and yet so big at the same time - just perfect in its aim and execution. I wish more people had read it!