Monica Bloom by Nick Earls
Monica Bloom is the latest offering by Nick Earls to his adoring reading public. Once again he has produced a book that will be enjoyed equally by his adult fans as well as his many readers still at school.
Matt Sherman is in his final year at school, and at the start of the year it seems that everything will simply continue as it always has. His father is state manager of a mining company, his mother spends her time as the supportive wife, providing dinners for visiting bigwigs and Nick just goes to school and stays out of trouble. But then the twins who live next door introduce him to their cousin from Dublin.
The next thing you know Matt’s father is on the news, his mother is looking for work and Matt is in love with the mysterious girl he has only met 5 times. How Nick Earls gets from A to B is simple, charming, and for those of us who are over 25, nostalgic.
When I finished this book and set it aside, my first thought was ‘What a wonderful read’. The language is simple, the characters are engaging and the plot appears simple with many layers of complexity hidden below the surface. I almost wish I had time to read it again.
