Nina —
Glorious Exploits by Ferdia Lennon
It is very rare that a debut novel can skyrocket to my top reads of the year, but Ferdia Lennon made it happen!
Set in the 4th century BCE, after a battle in the Peloponnesian War, best friends Lampo and Gelon wander the island of Syracuse in search of entertainment. Fortunately for them, there is a quarry full of Athenian prisoners who can vaguely remember lines of Euripedes. Not the most well-liked cast, but it will do for the sake of art. Yet, while the duo prepare to perform Medea with the prisoners as the players, a more complex drama festers in their war-struck community.
This story was a poetic riot that put a smile on my face, but it was also a passionate contemplation of love in the wake of war and our eternal need for story. An incredible point of difference: Lennon’s Irish tone of voice breathes life into his prose in the best way possible!
Annie —
The Name of the Sister by Gail Jones
A new Gail Jones is always a delight and I never even look at the blurb before I dive in — I just trust her to take me on a fascinating journey. The Name of the Sister does not disappoint as we follow Angie, a freelance journalist who becomes obsessed with the case of the Unknown Woman. This woman appeared on the freeway near Broken Hill, bedraggled and emaciated, and will not, or cannot, speak. Where did she come from, what has happened to her, and most importantly, who is she? Angie’s childhood best friend Bev is the lead detective in Sydney trying to track down the identity of this woman, and the two of them blur professional boundaries as they attempt to unravel the case.
Jones deals with her theme of missing persons with exquisite care, honoring many different people’s stories of loss and the world-shattering lack of finality when someone disappears. The landscape rises up as its own being, especially once we arrive in Broken Hill itself, and the novel morphs from a lyrical character study to a nail-biting thriller, always with Jones’ trademark eloquence. This is certainly not your standard police procedural, but if you are interested in the ripple effects that crime can have and the extent to which we can ever know another person, The Name of the Sister is for you.
Fraser
The King of Ashes by Raymond E Feist
This is a review by one of our recent work experience students!
The King of Ashes follows the story of Declan, a gifted blacksmith apprentice, and Hatu, a boy raised by assassins. As their story progresses, these boys will find themselves in the midst of many dangerous situations packed with emotion and brimming with suspense.
This medieval fantasy is perfect for anyone interested in grand adventures, wonderfully depicted battles, and a world you will find yourself lost in.