I know I'm a bit late to the party, but I've just read Past The Shallows by award winning Australian author Favel Parrett.
Set in a small town on the coast of Tasmania, Harry and Miles live with their father; an abalone fisherman bitter and angry after the loss of his wife. Harry and Miles are largely left to fend for themselves and try their best to stay out of their father's way.Miles and their older brother Joe enjoy surfing and feel at one with the sea, while Harry - the youngest - is afraid of the water. Parrett loves to surf and her personal knowledge and love of surfing is evident within the pages.
Shortlisted for the Miles Franklin Award in 2012, Past The Shallows is a coming-of-age story about brotherhood. It's a slim novel and very easy to read with short chapters and large font. On the flip side it's a haunting and often sad story.
Harry was easily my favourite character although I did want to know more about George Fuller.
I borrowed my copy from the library and was excited to discover it was signed by the author (see right). Highly recommended and a worthy contribution to my Australian Women Writers Challenge and Aussie Author Challenge.
My rating = ****
Carpe Librum!
P.S. Those who enjoyed The Better Son by Katherine Johnson will enjoy this and vice versa.
