This is a good book to read if you’re needing a reminder about how dependent we are on water. I understand the book is not about water, but it is set in small town Victoria, Australia and they’re going through a drought. I’m guessing a drought in rural areas is rather different from a drought in Melbourne. I’ve lived through a number of droughts and am not keen on watering my lawns because of that. I like to use my water on plants that produce food for us or food for the wildlife. Our water restrictions during droughts can include only watering by hand, and only watering our gardens every second day. As a child on holidays I recall the caravan park showers were restricted to three minute showers; the water would automatically turn off after three minutes. Fairly early in the book we’re reminded of the water issue because Aaron finds an egg-timer sitting next to the shower with a reminder about keeping his showers to three minutes.
Set in Kiewarra, rain hasn’t fallen for about two years. Aaron Falk has returned home for the funerals, his best friend from school, the friend’s wife and son. He doesn’t get a friendly welcome, this is because of what happened twenty years previously. Aaron Falk is now working in Melbourne, with the Federal Police in finance. He’s been brought back by the parents of Luke Hadley. They want answers.
Having said that, we’re given a big reminder of how dry the countryside is. Aaron goes back to the river from his childhood. The river where he and Luke would dive into. This river is now so dry that he can cross it without getting his shoes wet because there’s no water there.
This book is beautifully written. We’re told to dwell on the lies of now and of twenty years ago. We’re told to look at them and wonder who lied and why. Sometimes the answers don’t always help, other times they take the reader on an unexpected journey. I love the way we’re reminded of the lies, it’s a lot of repetition but it’s put in all the correct places. The father of the deceased sends Aaron Falk a note that reads:
Luke lied. You liked. Be at the Funeral.
And this note was repeated in shreds and patches through the book. And because this book is so readable, I found myself racing through it. These words kept making me stop and slow down, to take thought as to what is actually happening, and what could be happening.
There are a couple of reminders of how much our rural people worry about fire. And when everything is dry through lack of rain it’s very easy for fires to start and spread faster than they can be put out. This is combined with the fire warning sign. Wherever you drive in country Australia you’re likely to see signs showing how dangerous a fire is likely to be if one started. There are four levels: Moderate; High; Extreme and; Catastrophic. There are people who have the job of physically moving the dial on a daily basis to ensure drivers can easily see how dangerous it can be.
This book would be amazing made into a movie. I’d love to see it. And lo and behold, when I look at the front of the book I find the magic words: ‘Now a Major Motion Picture’. I’m really looking forward to finding this movie somewhere. It should be good.
In case you’d like to see the book and potentially buy it, you can click on this link.
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