Book Review: The Byron Journals by Daniel Ducrou

The Byron Journals tracks the questionable, alternative lifestyles of a group of young adults in Byron Bay. His skilled writing paints a languid, summery tone that is undercut with the uncertainty of growing up and the bittersweet trial of identifying ourselves. The dialogue is conversational, plot realistic, and the characters are full of depth and humanity; together, they oscillate into crafting an honest and perceptive novel that looks into the mind of a new generation regarding sex, drugs, and music.

Ducrou gives some firsthand detail to the environment of Byron Bay. His portrait is clear in the reader’s mind and the swelling heat, the passion in the air, the music vibrating through the streets come alive with his words. I found the novel not so much about growing up as it is about learning to forgive ourselves and others and letting go of the past. Ducrou hints that the two are closely intertwined: we can’t begin to let go and move on until we’ve found forgiveness. The realization of that notion might be the first step. Andrew arrives in Byron Bay to escape problems at home. There he parts with his mates and meets Heidi, who has also run away to Byron. While their experiences in Byron help mask the issues that brought them there, the past haunts them like a shadow, and it’s with them always.

Daniel Ducrou has an excellent debut novel. His writing is fresh and powerfully authentic. He stirs the pot with the twists and turns and bad decisions only confused, experimental teenagers make. I started reading this novel seeing comparisons to John Green’s “Looking for Alaska,” another bildungsroman about regret, forgiveness, and looking for life-changing experiences. The particular similarity was in Alaska and Heidi. Both were troubled, guilt-ridden girls. But as the novel progressed, the two novels’ differences showed and I began to appreciate Ducrou’s book for what it is. This is a valuable addition to Australian literature. I look forward to his next.

Book Review: Interworld by Neil Gaiman and Michael Reaves

There is an unmistakable, and probably justified, prejudice against children’s novels being enjoyable for adult tastes. I mean there are surely good kid books, from beloved classics like “Heidi” or “Daddy Long Legs” to modern tales like the Lemony Snicket and Harry Potter series. But overall, adults don’t read children’s books and there is a good reason for that. Not to say that they’re all crap, but the black-and-white morality, simplistic storylines, and straightforward character interactions tend to conflict with the expectations of an adult world and the preferences of an adult mindset.

Joey Harker, an average boy, discovers he is a Walker, a being with an ability to cross from Earth to another in an endless continuum of alternate universes. As soon as he discovers his ability, he is targeted by the forces of magic and science who want to strip him, and alternate versions of Harker across the multiverse, of his Walking ability to fuel their ships. Harker is recruited by an organization called InterWorld, operated by different versions of Harker, which seeks to maintain balance between magic and science.

“Interworld” is a children’s novel. The storyline is simple, almost formulaic, but the way in which Gaiman and Reaves write the story make it feel more than going through the motions. There is real excitement in how they portray their universe (or universes, to be clear). The villains are cartoonish and there is never a sense of moral ambiguity amongst the characters or in their decisions. Evil is evil, no matter in what world you’re on. I think that is perhaps the book’s greatest flaw.

What makes up for it though is Gaiman and Reaves’ excellent worldbuilding skills. The mythology underlying “Interworld” is impeccable and captivating. They construct a fantastic universe that seems a shame not to return to. Despite the concept of alternate universes, the authors allude to pop culture and history with great ease. There are numerous references to popular events, some of which a thirteen-year-old reader should have no appreciation for. Likewise, Gaiman and Reaves make fantastic use of clever fantasy tropes and high scientific concepts, both fictional and real. They do not underestimate their readers’ capacity to understand ideas, a notion which seems to escape many children’s writers today.

Day 26: Drawing of the Three by Stephen King

The second entry in Stephen King’s magnum opus series, the drawing that takes place brings Roland Deschain through three doors on the sands of the beach across time and space to different points in 20^th Century New York City. Through two of these doors, Roland recruits members of his new ka-tet, who will become gunslingers like him. This was the first book I read of the Dark Tower series and is probably my favourite. I loved the character of Eddie Dean, the junkie, and his character arc has remained one of the most memorable.

Day 25: American Gods by Neil Gaiman

I sometimes hate low late I am at getting around to reading these really good books that you feel like everyone else has already devoured. It’s like coming really late to a party, except you’re not fashionable and all the good food is gone. “American Gods” is quite phenomenal in Gaiman’s manner of handling the deities and belief systems. Shadow is a relatable protagonist with an uncanny ability to take all the wonderful, remarkable, and terrible stuff that happens to, and around him, in stride. The premise of the novel is essentially that when immigrants landed in America, they brought along the mythological deities that they worshipped, but when they forgot or began to disbelief in these old gods, their powers began to wane, yet they remained in the New World, stranded and abandoned by their followers. The fascinating exploration of religions and worship, the clever writing, and the powerful execution make this a truly classic read.

Day 24: The Casual Vacancy by JK Rowling

This is JK Rowling’s first novel since she completed her epic and unforgettable Harry Potter series, as well as her first for an adult audience. this novel combines a small town atmosphere with thrilling political intrigue. Here’s to hoping she continues to exceed expectations and shine through with another literary doorstopper.

Day 23: Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll

Lewis Carroll is a genius of nonsense fiction. “Wonderland” tells the story of a girl named Alice who falls down a hole into a strange world called Wonderland whilst chasing after a white rabbit. This is the epitomizing example of the nonsense genre in literature. Before “Alice” the art of creating meaningless and yet entertaining had never happened. Perhaps it never will again.