Ghost At The Point by Charlotte Calder

This book took me by surprise. I don’t know what I was expecting, but it looked interesting and when I started it, there was no turning back.

I guess the most straightforward way to describe it would be Historical, Junior, Australian Fiction. But really, what does that tell you?

What can I tell you about it? That it was really compelling, creepy (the ghost story and set-up works brilliantly), and good fun. It’s set on an island inspired by Kangaroo Island in the 1930s and captures the rural Australian community feeling perfectly. The main character, Dorrie, is a believable, likeable, independently minded girl and is a great protagonist. Her relationship with her grandfather is succinct, yet genuine, what you might expect of people who live in a semi isolated part of an island with a small population. And when her grandfather has an accident and has to spend some time in hospital, she manages to get back to their house unattended because she wanted to stay at home, rather than having to stay with cousins.  But that’s when everything comes to a head.

The persistent and sinister treasure hunters from the mainland turn up in the middle of the night, and the presence of the ghost is felt more than ever. Isn’t that the way? Scary things tend to happen when you’re alone, miles from the next house, and it’s the middle of the night, right?

The no-good treasure hunters, the truth about the ghost, the mystery of it all comes together so well at the end I was reminded of the well constructed mysteries like The Famous Five.

I can strongly recommend this book. Particularly if you (or your child) have a leaning towards stories set in times gone past. But more than that, this book is a well constructed, mysterious ghost story. I really liked it!

 

4 Gold Stars

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Tamar by Mal Peet

People who have been reading my blog might have realised by now how much I love Mal Peet's writing. Only experiencing it for the first time last year when I read his latest novel, Life: An Exploded Diagram, then further this year when I read Keeper and Penalty.

I'm very excited that I get to meet him this week thanks to Sydney Writer's Festival! But I'm a little sad I didn't get time to read Exposure as well. Needless to say, I'll get to it when I can.

Tamar is made up of two stories: one set in Holland in 1944-45 and one set in England in 1995. They overlap, interweave and are tied in more ways than are instantly clear.

In 1995 Tamar, a fifteen year old girl, witnesses the declining physical and mental health of her grandmother, while her grandfather becomes more distant and eventually commits suicide. Her father, the link between that side of the family disappeared without a trace years earlier.

In 1944 two Dutch operatives, code-names Dart and Tamar are parachuted back into Holland after training in the UK to help organise the resistance.

Like the others of Peet's books, this one is brilliantly written. He has a way of crafting words that is inspirational. This compelling novel looks at only some of the devastating generational effects of war on those who fought, or were witness to the horrible things that happened.

I should point out, that I have never had what could be described as 'an interest' in modern history, historical fiction set in recent times, or war in general. Ancient, mythical and magical has always been a lot more engaging for me. But if more of it were written at the high standard that Mal Peet has set, then I would be interested. Between Tamar and Life, I've discovered that when in the hands of the right storyteller, topics outside of my comfort zone are a must read! I mean, look at how Mal got me reading about football (soccer) - and loving it! (not the sport *shudder*, the reading about it...)

Have I convinced you yet to read any of his books? Let me know if I haven't and I'll try harder!

 

4 Gold Stars

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Jaguar Warrior by Sandy Fussell

What would you do if you were imprisoned in a box, waiting to be sacrificed to the Sun God? You’d want to run. You’d want to get as far away from there as possible. Unless, of course, you believe the gods will listen to your sacrifice and spare your people. When Atl [Ay-tell] is released amidst an attack by the Spanish Pale Lord, and told to run to a neighbouring city for help, he sees it as an opportunity to run for freedom. But something more sinister and unforgiving is chasing him, and if he is caught, slavery is no longer an option. Death will quickly follow.

Sandy Fussell has created a rich, fast-paced novel that drags you in so you don’t realise that she is also giving you a light history lesson. Ancient cultures are fascinating; the Maya / Inca civilisations of South America in particular.

Atl finds that (although he doesn’t want it - to begin with) he needs help on his journey from both humans and gods. Even if the gods delight in spilling human blood, which angers Atl. But his journey gives him time to contemplate the nature of sacrifice, slavery, friendship, courage, and pride. What I loved about this book is that Atl’s contemplations provide a great opening for the reader to think about these things too. What kind of gods would demand the slaughter of their subjects?

I really like the cover too.

4 Gold Stars

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Life: An Exploded Diagram by Mal Peet

Wow! I have heard some glowing reviews about Mal Peet’s writing in general but had never had the time to read any of his books. Until now… and I’m left amazed!

Peet’s prose is a smorgasbord for those who love the English language and what it’s capable of. Full of rich and original descriptions and subtleties that state plainly what going on in the story, but allude to so much more. If there is one thing he has achieved in this brilliant book, it is a perfect illustration of Life as an exploded diagram.  No piece of the story is too small or too large to be left out. Each little detail all fits perfectly into the picture. Peet has superbly realised with this novel what his narrator has with his art: “I’ve made my living these past thirty years painting and drawing things exactly and intensely as they are and letting them speak for themselves.”

The story itself centres on two teenagers who are trying to make sense of life and love in the English countryside in the shadow of the Cuban Missile Crisis. The missile crisis is explained in detail as it will affect both of them more than they could have ever imagined.

This is for the reader who wants more. More of everything. More of life. It is not simply another teenage love story. Quoting the book: “Lord knows, bookshop shelves already creak under the weight of Misery Memoirs and Teen Novels that might as well all be called My School Hell. I have no desire to add my small pebble to that avalanche of unhappiness.” 

Do not be fooled by this being shelved in Young Adult fiction sections of bookshops. While it is a great read for the teen who wants something meatier, something better, it is just as much for adults. Those that lived through the missile crisis, those that have only heard about it, those that haven’t but have had a run-in with teenage love, and those that are simply fascinated by life and how everything fits together. In all honesty, I have no interest in politics, but there was no point in this book that I didn’t want to keep reading. Such astounding writing has left me invigorated. I strongly suggest you read this book.

Now I’ve got all of Mal Peet’s other novels to look forward to. As a friend said to me recently “I’m jealous that you’ll get to read them for the first time.” There is a magic in that first reading. There certainly was in this one.