Reviewed By Gillian, Berkelouw Mona Vale

I reread this book for two reasons - one being its re-release as a "Popular Penguin" and secondly because of the news of Randolph Stow's death in England.

The story begins in 1941 in the early years of WWII and is told from the point of view of Rob Coram, a cheeky six year old who lives with his extended and well-to-do family in Geraldton, WA. Rob's childhood is full of glorious freedoms to roam the town, the beach and the farmlands around Geraldton oblivious (largely) to the war, until it claims his adored older cousin Rick. Rick is held prisoner as a POW in Thailand. His experiences are sprinkled through the text in the form of brief, drastic and horrible episodes. When Rick returns to Australia, carrying with him the nightmarish memories of his internment, Rob rejoices and lavishes care and attention on his hero. But Rick is changed. He plans to move away, leaving the devastated Rob to move onto his next stage in growing up.

This is a fine novel and I can't help but think of Stow as a kind of forebear to Tim Winton and Craig Silvey. Must be something in the WA soil that gives these locals the ability to write about growing up with particular clarity, honesty, humour and humility. If you liked Breath and Jasper Jones try this and think about it as the grandparent of those great novels.