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A review by nina_reads_books
The Rain Heron by Robbie Arnott
4.0
Robbie Arnott’s debut book Flames made it to my top reads of last year list so I was very excited to pick up a copy of The Rain Heron, his follow up novel released last year.
The book is crafted in parts with the initial section almost fable like. The story of the rain heron and how it bestows its benevolence and its malice was an almost bewildering start to the book. This initial part is peak magical realism and I loved it!
The story then shifts to a mountainside where Ren lives a life of solitude hiding out from the world that has been rocked by a military coup. Ren hunts and secretly trades goods with a local villager until one day soldiers arrive. When she can no longer hide from them she discovers that led by a young woman, they have come in search of the myth of the rain heron.
The next part flashes back to the young solider Zoe’s childhood down south in a remote coastal town. Her aunt introduces her to the secret way locals harvest the coveted squid ink. This section has to be experienced to be believed - wow is all I will say!
Then it’s back to Ren and Zoe alternately in the present day. Both have to confront aspects of their past and grapple with things they have done in order to find peace.
Throughout the book, the coup that impacts on all the characters is not dwelled on, it becomes part of the background rather than the main event. This brought a general sense of unease which was cleverly done.
The Rain Heron is a sublime example of writing. Arnott depicts nature in such vivid and imaginative ways. The harsh landscapes echo the dark and sometimes violent events that thread throughout the book. The magical realism is subtle and not overdone. The symbol of the rain heron affecting the climate allows the theme of man’s impact on the land to be explored.
This is my kind of writing for sure but I have to say I didn’t love it quite as much as Flames. I’m not sure why as the writing was gorgeous and the magical realism certainly makes my heart sing. Still it is a book I would recommend and I’m looking forward to reading more from Robbie Arnott in the future.
The book is crafted in parts with the initial section almost fable like. The story of the rain heron and how it bestows its benevolence and its malice was an almost bewildering start to the book. This initial part is peak magical realism and I loved it!
The story then shifts to a mountainside where Ren lives a life of solitude hiding out from the world that has been rocked by a military coup. Ren hunts and secretly trades goods with a local villager until one day soldiers arrive. When she can no longer hide from them she discovers that led by a young woman, they have come in search of the myth of the rain heron.
The next part flashes back to the young solider Zoe’s childhood down south in a remote coastal town. Her aunt introduces her to the secret way locals harvest the coveted squid ink. This section has to be experienced to be believed - wow is all I will say!
Then it’s back to Ren and Zoe alternately in the present day. Both have to confront aspects of their past and grapple with things they have done in order to find peace.
Throughout the book, the coup that impacts on all the characters is not dwelled on, it becomes part of the background rather than the main event. This brought a general sense of unease which was cleverly done.
The Rain Heron is a sublime example of writing. Arnott depicts nature in such vivid and imaginative ways. The harsh landscapes echo the dark and sometimes violent events that thread throughout the book. The magical realism is subtle and not overdone. The symbol of the rain heron affecting the climate allows the theme of man’s impact on the land to be explored.
This is my kind of writing for sure but I have to say I didn’t love it quite as much as Flames. I’m not sure why as the writing was gorgeous and the magical realism certainly makes my heart sing. Still it is a book I would recommend and I’m looking forward to reading more from Robbie Arnott in the future.