The Story:
Melina Marchetta's brilliant, heart-wrenching new novel takes up the story of the group of friends from her best-selling, much-loved book Saving Francesca - only this time it's five years later and Thomas Mackee is the one who needs saving.
Thomas Mackee wants oblivion. Wants to forget parents who leave and friends he used to care about and a string of one-night stands, and favourite uncles being blown to smithereens on their way to work on the other side of the world.
But when his flatmates turn him out of the house, Tom moves in with his single, pregnant aunt, Georgie. And starts working at the Union pub with his former friends. And winds up living with his grieving father again. And remembers how he abandoned Tara Finke two years ago, after his uncle's death.
And in a year when everything's broken, Tom realises that his family and friends need him to help put the pieces back together as much as he needs them.
My Thoughts:
Thomas Mackee wants oblivion. Wants to forget parents who leave and friends he used to care about and a string of one-night stands, and favourite uncles being blown to smithereens on their way to work on the other side of the world.
But when his flatmates turn him out of the house, Tom moves in with his single, pregnant aunt, Georgie. And starts working at the Union pub with his former friends. And winds up living with his grieving father again. And remembers how he abandoned Tara Finke two years ago, after his uncle's death.
And in a year when everything's broken, Tom realises that his family and friends need him to help put the pieces back together as much as he needs them.
My Thoughts:
I won't go on about this book too much because I think I'm in danger of being predisposed to anything written by Melina Marchetta. The Piper's Son is set in the same world as Marchetta's Saving Francesca novel. In fact, Francesca (Frankie) is one of the smaller players in this book as well. As with many of Marchetta's books, the reader is pretty much dropped into the middle of an action scene and from there you're given snippets of information that you must piece together as the events unfold. I'm sure there are those who find this style confusing, but I don't have a problem with it. Besides, the writing is so good I don't really mind what's happening.
This book is majorly character based which is why I have so much love for it. Tom isn't a guy who is easy to like. He's selfish, self absorbed and really mean at times. Even though I know he was hurting, I wanted to slap him for some of the things he said to Frankie and I kept screaming for her to knock him out. As the story progresses you see Tom transition from a massive jerk into the person he would have become a long time ago if it hadn't been for the death of some of his family.
I don't know how to describe it better than to say that this book is like a big family reunion where everyone has huge issues and problems but they love each other so much that you just know everything is going to be alright.
This book is majorly character based which is why I have so much love for it. Tom isn't a guy who is easy to like. He's selfish, self absorbed and really mean at times. Even though I know he was hurting, I wanted to slap him for some of the things he said to Frankie and I kept screaming for her to knock him out. As the story progresses you see Tom transition from a massive jerk into the person he would have become a long time ago if it hadn't been for the death of some of his family.
I don't know how to describe it better than to say that this book is like a big family reunion where everyone has huge issues and problems but they love each other so much that you just know everything is going to be alright.
The Rating:
Sigh, more books for the TBR pile!
ReplyDeleteJenny: Tell me about it! Every review I read equals another book I want to read.
ReplyDeleteA full 10 out of 10? WOWIE! This must be an amazing book! I haven't read the first book yet, but this one sounds so sweet and touching that I think I definitely will soon! I just LOVE books about family, because all of that stuff is so important to me!
ReplyDeleteAwesome review, Lan! I'm really glad you enjoyed this one! :)
P.S. I love how you read this for an Aussie Authors challenge! I've always wanted to try one, but I know that I wouldn't be able to follow through LOL -- I'm too unpredictable with what I read! x)
Sounds great! 10/10? Amazing!! Great review! I think I need to read the 1st book. I'm with jenny ^
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with your review of this one! I'm pretty sure by this point that I can't be objective about any of Marchetta's books. I loved your family reunion comparison, btw :)
ReplyDeleteTime to start a second pile of books for the TBR, I think!
ReplyDeleteAs a fellow book character junkie, I'm really looking forward to reading this! Must find a copy somewhere in Canada...
-sigh-
ReplyDeleteYour killing me with your reviews missy!
i have at least two of her books on my shelf that I need to read both of which I always hear good things about.
Mimi: This book deserves more than a 10. It's just so well written. Yep challenges are very difficult. Especially trying to keep your reading on track to complete them. I keep picking up other books I shouldn't.
ReplyDeleteSherre: Both books can be read independently but they are so good you should read both!
Karen: I read Marchetta's first book when I was in high school and I liked it but it didn't blow me away. This book totally did.
BJ: I think book depository has some copies. I put about 10 books on my TBR every day because of blogger reviews!
Ash: Start reading now!! If you liked Raw Blue you will like Marchetta's stuff.
I'm a really big fan of character driven books. I'll forgive a lot, plot and style wise, if the characters are compelling and develop believably. Great review!
ReplyDelete