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In Conversations with Strangers
Janine Waldron arrives home unexpectedly to find a scene so shocking that it causes her to lose all reason. She embarks on a road trip across Australia, from Brisbane to Broome, indulging in uncharacteristic behavior that becomes more degrading and dangerous the further she travels.
As a strange contradiction, people she has never met begin to tell her about defining events in their lives. Realizing the important messages these stories contain, Janine records each one in writing, intending to publish them in a single volume. This project is her only hope of staying grounded in reality.
Is it enough to save this sensitive and creative woman?
As a strange contradiction, people she has never met begin to tell her about defining events in their lives. Realizing the important messages these stories contain, Janine records each one in writing, intending to publish them in a single volume. This project is her only hope of staying grounded in reality.
Is it enough to save this sensitive and creative woman?
256 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2013
43 people want to read
About the author
Brenda Cheers
11Ìýbooks31ÌýfollowersBrenda Cheers is a novelist and short-story writer who lives in Brisbane, Australia. "Requiem for Titus" is her eighth published novel.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
January 13, 2022
This is a story of a road journey a woman takes that’s also a journey into herself. That’s not a new idea, but the way Brenda Cheers does this is rather original. It’s also a good read.
Janine is a 40-something software engineer who works for a big car dealership. Twice divorced, she now lives in a suburb of Brisbane with her girlfriend. One day she goes home in the middle of the day and finds something that so shocks her that she gets into her SUV and just drives. Over the course of the book, she makes the 1,750-mile (2,850km) journey along the Matilda Highway across Queensland to Darwin, stopping by night in a series of motels and pubs. In the night, she picks up men for casual sex � something you sense she has never done; in fact, we learn that she has sex with more men on this journey than she has ever had before. Moreover she charges them for it. Whatever she saw in Brisbane has caused her to behave completely out of character.
But as she travels, she also meets people, and they tell her their life stories; and she photographs them and starts to assemble them into a book. As we hear their stories, we slowly hear Janine’s own. It’s these conversations with strangers that seem to release her reflections about herself and the way her life has been.
We don’t hear until the end what it was she saw in Brisbane that sent her careering along the Matilda Highway. This irritated me at first. But then I became invested in Janine’s story, and I stopped minding about it. When you do find out, everything starts to make sense. So does the way the book ends, though it came as a shock.
In Conversations with Strangers is an unusual book and it isn’t for everybody. The sex is explicit (though it’s not porn; that’s not what this book is about at all). It can also seem cynical; there’s a range of human behaviour on show here and it’s not all great. But there are also two or three characters that are very warm and kind. It’s also a good road book � the red dust; kangaroos leaping across the road at dusk; the long parade of small towns, Roma, Barcaldine, Longreach, Cloncurry, Mount Isa � all of them very real Queensland places. I did think at first that the book was quite short, and maybe Cheers could have done more with it. But in fact it’s as long as it needs to be, no more and no less. A worthwhile read.
Janine is a 40-something software engineer who works for a big car dealership. Twice divorced, she now lives in a suburb of Brisbane with her girlfriend. One day she goes home in the middle of the day and finds something that so shocks her that she gets into her SUV and just drives. Over the course of the book, she makes the 1,750-mile (2,850km) journey along the Matilda Highway across Queensland to Darwin, stopping by night in a series of motels and pubs. In the night, she picks up men for casual sex � something you sense she has never done; in fact, we learn that she has sex with more men on this journey than she has ever had before. Moreover she charges them for it. Whatever she saw in Brisbane has caused her to behave completely out of character.
But as she travels, she also meets people, and they tell her their life stories; and she photographs them and starts to assemble them into a book. As we hear their stories, we slowly hear Janine’s own. It’s these conversations with strangers that seem to release her reflections about herself and the way her life has been.
We don’t hear until the end what it was she saw in Brisbane that sent her careering along the Matilda Highway. This irritated me at first. But then I became invested in Janine’s story, and I stopped minding about it. When you do find out, everything starts to make sense. So does the way the book ends, though it came as a shock.
In Conversations with Strangers is an unusual book and it isn’t for everybody. The sex is explicit (though it’s not porn; that’s not what this book is about at all). It can also seem cynical; there’s a range of human behaviour on show here and it’s not all great. But there are also two or three characters that are very warm and kind. It’s also a good road book � the red dust; kangaroos leaping across the road at dusk; the long parade of small towns, Roma, Barcaldine, Longreach, Cloncurry, Mount Isa � all of them very real Queensland places. I did think at first that the book was quite short, and maybe Cheers could have done more with it. But in fact it’s as long as it needs to be, no more and no less. A worthwhile read.
March 12, 2014
One of my favorite parts of reading is when an author can take you to another location, time, or situation that you otherwise cannot go yourself.Ìý It can be a vacationÌý or journey for the mind.Ìý So, my anticipation was high for a book that started out in Brisbane, Australia and traveled across the country.Ìý There was opportunity for long overdue updates to my conceptions about the vast Australian outback, which hasn't really been updated sinceÌý The Thornbirds, or Mad Max movies.
So my anticipation was confounded by getting what I had asked for,Ìý a journey for the mind, but not what I expected, which had been a close up experience across the Australian plains.Ìý Instead, the journey was through the mind of a very different type of person, and the way she experienced her world, not the world as I would have her present to me.Ìý That difference was critical to understanding the book and the journey it took me on.Ìý
I kept wanting to be engaged at different levels the character simply wasn't capable of.Ìý Once I was aware that I was seeing the world through her eyes,Ìý the book became much richer and deeper than many I have recently experienced.Ìý
I enjoyed the first person perspective and the fresh view of life as it surrounded the character. The strangers and the stories that were brought in felt somewhat wooden. While they were interesting, they didn't serve to advance the stories or characters on the journey very much. I applaud the author for bringing me on a journey I otherwise would never have taken. If you would consider taking a journey to see the world through another mind, you will very much enjoy this read.
So my anticipation was confounded by getting what I had asked for,Ìý a journey for the mind, but not what I expected, which had been a close up experience across the Australian plains.Ìý Instead, the journey was through the mind of a very different type of person, and the way she experienced her world, not the world as I would have her present to me.Ìý That difference was critical to understanding the book and the journey it took me on.Ìý
I kept wanting to be engaged at different levels the character simply wasn't capable of.Ìý Once I was aware that I was seeing the world through her eyes,Ìý the book became much richer and deeper than many I have recently experienced.Ìý
I enjoyed the first person perspective and the fresh view of life as it surrounded the character. The strangers and the stories that were brought in felt somewhat wooden. While they were interesting, they didn't serve to advance the stories or characters on the journey very much. I applaud the author for bringing me on a journey I otherwise would never have taken. If you would consider taking a journey to see the world through another mind, you will very much enjoy this read.
July 22, 2016
First and foremost, a big shout out to author Brenda Cheers and Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ for my free reading copy, which I won in a recent competition. Thanks!
Let me start this review with a little anecdote. A few evenings ago, I had a craving for some cheese and Vegemite toasties. With my senses tingling and mouth watering in that very special way that one only reserves for cheese and Vegemite toasties, I set about in the kitchen, collecting the right ingredients, lightly toasting the bread and then smearing on the Vegemite so that it was at that special consistency where you can still taste it under the layer of cheese but isn't yet strong enough to overpower the whole thing. Then I added a layer of cheese and laid my special and much wanted snack under the grill for the final toasting that would melt the cheese to that very special bubbling and slightly brown consistency. All good right? Well, it was until I got impatient. I was so hungry and so eager for my little snack that I took it off the grill just a moment too soon. My cheese and Vegemite toastie wasn't bad by a long stretch, but it certainly did not live up to its full potential.
And that is a little how I felt about In Converstations With Strangers. The author had all the ingredients there to make a special and unique book. It is a tale of a woman, Janine, who, as she flees from her home and heartbreak, travels through Australia and begins writing down the stories of the people that she meets.
As a reader, I felt that something about it wasn't quite done yet. The heroine, Janine, was an interesting lady with a huge backstory that doesn't get fully revealed until the very end. I felt that the story lacked a certain level of depth that would have helped me to understand the character and her motives a bit more. I can see that the author wanted to create literary fiction that included a layer of mystery, but it would have helped me early on if I had understood why Janine was running away, or what her motive were for recording the stories of the strangers that she meets as she travels through Australia. This doesn't need to be said explicitly, but some kind of hint needs to be there. Or even if I could just have reason to feel some kind of empathy for the heroine. The concept of stories within a story is brilliant and reminded me a little of Eucalyptus by Murray Bail but with a bit more of a 'real life' twist. The ending was quite a dark one and left me feeling cold ... Poor Janine.
In Conversations With Strangers isn't an awful book by any stretch (lots of good bits in there,) but I feel this one could have been a lot better if the author had spent some more on the manuscript to develop the characters and situations to a greater level.
This review also appears on my blog, Kathryn's Inbox
Let me start this review with a little anecdote. A few evenings ago, I had a craving for some cheese and Vegemite toasties. With my senses tingling and mouth watering in that very special way that one only reserves for cheese and Vegemite toasties, I set about in the kitchen, collecting the right ingredients, lightly toasting the bread and then smearing on the Vegemite so that it was at that special consistency where you can still taste it under the layer of cheese but isn't yet strong enough to overpower the whole thing. Then I added a layer of cheese and laid my special and much wanted snack under the grill for the final toasting that would melt the cheese to that very special bubbling and slightly brown consistency. All good right? Well, it was until I got impatient. I was so hungry and so eager for my little snack that I took it off the grill just a moment too soon. My cheese and Vegemite toastie wasn't bad by a long stretch, but it certainly did not live up to its full potential.
And that is a little how I felt about In Converstations With Strangers. The author had all the ingredients there to make a special and unique book. It is a tale of a woman, Janine, who, as she flees from her home and heartbreak, travels through Australia and begins writing down the stories of the people that she meets.
As a reader, I felt that something about it wasn't quite done yet. The heroine, Janine, was an interesting lady with a huge backstory that doesn't get fully revealed until the very end. I felt that the story lacked a certain level of depth that would have helped me to understand the character and her motives a bit more. I can see that the author wanted to create literary fiction that included a layer of mystery, but it would have helped me early on if I had understood why Janine was running away, or what her motive were for recording the stories of the strangers that she meets as she travels through Australia. This doesn't need to be said explicitly, but some kind of hint needs to be there. Or even if I could just have reason to feel some kind of empathy for the heroine. The concept of stories within a story is brilliant and reminded me a little of Eucalyptus by Murray Bail but with a bit more of a 'real life' twist. The ending was quite a dark one and left me feeling cold ... Poor Janine.
In Conversations With Strangers isn't an awful book by any stretch (lots of good bits in there,) but I feel this one could have been a lot better if the author had spent some more on the manuscript to develop the characters and situations to a greater level.
This review also appears on my blog, Kathryn's Inbox
February 28, 2014
This story reaches out and grabs you right away, throwing you into an emotional whirlwind leading to a long drive across Australia from Brisbane towards a place called Roebuck Bay, where there is an interesting phenomenon called the Staircase to the Moon. It's a real place and worth a Google search for the spectacular photographs.
I've never been to Australia, but this quickly gave me the feel of Brisbane, where I have friends, and then of the roads in the remote landscape down under. The story is about a journey taken at a time of emotional crisis by a woman named Janine who has come home to find... something shocking. We're not told right away exactly what happened, but by the end of the first chapter I was out of breath from the flurry of activity and concerned about Janine, while also intrigued by some references to spirituality, moon phases and astrology as well as "dark magic."
From there we get some background on Janine and see that she is indulging in some spontaneous behaviour, some of it sexually risky, as a result of her emotional upset. As the book progresses, we share her journey cross-country as well as hearing the stories of some of the people she meets along the way, hence the title. These people are both ordinary and fascinating, as the concept that every person has a story to their life is illustrated by their individual tales.
The last story is Janine's. Though the reader has been learning much about Janine along the way, the final tale explains how she got to the point that led her to undertake the cross-country journey and what upset her so much, made all the more effective by what we've learned of her along the way. The narrative both shocks and tugs at the emotions, leaving me at least feeling very contemplative at the conclusion.
I found myself looking up a few details, like a map of Australia to see where the various important locations were, the images of the Staircase to the Moon and not least of all, the term 'stubby'. In this context, it's a short-necked bottle of beer. I came out of this story with some of the feel for Australia that would normally come from first hand experience. It is very well-written and kept my attention all the way to the end. In fact, most of the second half was read in one sitting while I ignored other things that I might have been doing. I also wondered if it might have been a true story, but that is one thing I won't research. I wouldn't want to lose the magic by knowing for sure, either way.
I've never been to Australia, but this quickly gave me the feel of Brisbane, where I have friends, and then of the roads in the remote landscape down under. The story is about a journey taken at a time of emotional crisis by a woman named Janine who has come home to find... something shocking. We're not told right away exactly what happened, but by the end of the first chapter I was out of breath from the flurry of activity and concerned about Janine, while also intrigued by some references to spirituality, moon phases and astrology as well as "dark magic."
From there we get some background on Janine and see that she is indulging in some spontaneous behaviour, some of it sexually risky, as a result of her emotional upset. As the book progresses, we share her journey cross-country as well as hearing the stories of some of the people she meets along the way, hence the title. These people are both ordinary and fascinating, as the concept that every person has a story to their life is illustrated by their individual tales.
The last story is Janine's. Though the reader has been learning much about Janine along the way, the final tale explains how she got to the point that led her to undertake the cross-country journey and what upset her so much, made all the more effective by what we've learned of her along the way. The narrative both shocks and tugs at the emotions, leaving me at least feeling very contemplative at the conclusion.
I found myself looking up a few details, like a map of Australia to see where the various important locations were, the images of the Staircase to the Moon and not least of all, the term 'stubby'. In this context, it's a short-necked bottle of beer. I came out of this story with some of the feel for Australia that would normally come from first hand experience. It is very well-written and kept my attention all the way to the end. In fact, most of the second half was read in one sitting while I ignored other things that I might have been doing. I also wondered if it might have been a true story, but that is one thing I won't research. I wouldn't want to lose the magic by knowing for sure, either way.
December 4, 2013
I read this over the space of a few days and really enjoyed it. I have seen other readers complain that the main character of this book is weird and that they didn't feel they had gone on the journey. Such was not the case for me. I found that I related very well to Janine and followed her journey very well. Perhaps this is because she is very much like me...or I am a lot like her.
I did find that the catalyst of her self destruction was a little cliche, but then, life is cliche too, quite often! In some ways, I found the stories of the strangers she met along the way a little distracting, and they didn't really contribute to moving the story along. They could have been left out, completely and the story would not suffer for it. Simply recording the conversations would have been enough for me.
A good, quick read and I enjoyed the lesbian interest. Will be looking for this author's other works.
I did find that the catalyst of her self destruction was a little cliche, but then, life is cliche too, quite often! In some ways, I found the stories of the strangers she met along the way a little distracting, and they didn't really contribute to moving the story along. They could have been left out, completely and the story would not suffer for it. Simply recording the conversations would have been enough for me.
A good, quick read and I enjoyed the lesbian interest. Will be looking for this author's other works.
September 1, 2015
This book is exceptional. I read it in less than a day and I can’t stop thinking about it.
What a brilliant, brilliant mind this author has. The storyline was structured beautifully, the characters, although some of them only briefly spoken about, were well developed and so real to me, I felt as though I was reading non-fictional work. The story itself was exquisite.
I hadn’t read the blurb before purchasing this story, so each chapter was like unwrapping a very precious gift. I particularly loved the photographs throughout, what a fantastic way to give an extra level of personality to the reader. I cannot recommend this book enough!
What a brilliant, brilliant mind this author has. The storyline was structured beautifully, the characters, although some of them only briefly spoken about, were well developed and so real to me, I felt as though I was reading non-fictional work. The story itself was exquisite.
I hadn’t read the blurb before purchasing this story, so each chapter was like unwrapping a very precious gift. I particularly loved the photographs throughout, what a fantastic way to give an extra level of personality to the reader. I cannot recommend this book enough!
May 4, 2014
This book had my attention from the very first page. I couldn’t put it down. Read at work at my lunch and break. It’s full of suspense and mystery. At first, I was so eager to find out what was it Janine found at her home that was so shocking that she had to run away and drive across the country. As I follow Janine in her emotional drive, I begin to understand and fall in love with this character. To anyone looking for a great escape that sucks you in from the start and doesn't let you go till the last page, this is the book.
September 15, 2015
In Conversations With Strangers just about jumped off the shelf at me. I live in Brisbane and the idea of a road-trip-across-Australia story, appealed to me straight away. This book though, is more than that. It's a fascinating glimpse into the life of a complex, driven woman with a cast of characters each with their own tale to tell. It's written in a non-flowery style, which perfectly suits the personality of the protagonist. I felt drawn to her and wanted to know that she'd be OK. A clever novel. I really enjoyed it.
June 15, 2021
Another interesting and thought provoking offering from Brenda Cheers.
I found that the individual stories intertwined with Janine's story gave the book more depth. I did at times wonder what the significance of Janine's "after dark activities" had to do with the the story as it seems to be disjointed and not relevant, this however became clear when I had reached the end of the book. When all the pieces fell into place it was a very moving and sad moment. Having had someone I cared deeply about have their life come to an untimely end and starting the process of having my daughter diagnosed on the spectrum this story was extremely relatable.
All of Brenda's books are wonderful journeys that will leave the reader wanting more.
I found that the individual stories intertwined with Janine's story gave the book more depth. I did at times wonder what the significance of Janine's "after dark activities" had to do with the the story as it seems to be disjointed and not relevant, this however became clear when I had reached the end of the book. When all the pieces fell into place it was a very moving and sad moment. Having had someone I cared deeply about have their life come to an untimely end and starting the process of having my daughter diagnosed on the spectrum this story was extremely relatable.
All of Brenda's books are wonderful journeys that will leave the reader wanting more.
October 5, 2014
In Conversations with Strangers
Every few pages of this book I found myself saying, "Wow, I didn't see that coming!"
And that's one of the highest compliments I can pay a novel. I read half the book in one sitting, anxious to discover what was around the bend.
Brenda Cheers, the author, has an uncanny knack for telling stories and you will never guess what's coming next while thoroughly enjoying and savoring every single word, every twist and turn, which she divulges slowly and carefully.
'In Conversations with Strangers' is a journey both for the reader and I suspect the author (if not, her talent is even more awesome than I first thought).
I loved this book on so many different levels: It surprised me at every turn. It gave me a glimpse into Australia ( a place that is at the top of my bucket list to visit). It introduced me to so many fascinating characters. It was at times sensitive and heart wrenching. At times it even gave me a glimpse into past relationships, especially one much like Janine, the main character, who wants to be left alone yet must somehow function in society. It made me wish I read this many years ago so I would have known how to handle that special young woman.
As the story reached conclusion I had a terrible foreboding of how it would end and I was correct...
It thrilled me, saddened me, grabbed me, was at many points heart wrenching, and most of all made me think.
What a story teller, what an astonishing read! When I give ratings one of my criteria is whether any of it could have been better. In this case I couldn't find a single thing to improve.
Every few pages of this book I found myself saying, "Wow, I didn't see that coming!"
And that's one of the highest compliments I can pay a novel. I read half the book in one sitting, anxious to discover what was around the bend.
Brenda Cheers, the author, has an uncanny knack for telling stories and you will never guess what's coming next while thoroughly enjoying and savoring every single word, every twist and turn, which she divulges slowly and carefully.
'In Conversations with Strangers' is a journey both for the reader and I suspect the author (if not, her talent is even more awesome than I first thought).
I loved this book on so many different levels: It surprised me at every turn. It gave me a glimpse into Australia ( a place that is at the top of my bucket list to visit). It introduced me to so many fascinating characters. It was at times sensitive and heart wrenching. At times it even gave me a glimpse into past relationships, especially one much like Janine, the main character, who wants to be left alone yet must somehow function in society. It made me wish I read this many years ago so I would have known how to handle that special young woman.
As the story reached conclusion I had a terrible foreboding of how it would end and I was correct...
It thrilled me, saddened me, grabbed me, was at many points heart wrenching, and most of all made me think.
What a story teller, what an astonishing read! When I give ratings one of my criteria is whether any of it could have been better. In this case I couldn't find a single thing to improve.
September 24, 2013
I was lucky enough to win this book. It arrived today in the post and I decided to start reading it straight away to enable me to provide a speedy review to the author. However I did not intend to read it from cover to cover in only a few hours.
I initially found it hard to like the protaganist and found her rather one dimensional however the reasons for this become more apparent as her journey progresses. The tales of Janine's sexual experiences are not gratuitous but rather build the picture of the character.
The picture the author paints of rural Queensland and NT had me reaching for the pen to note down names of places to investigate further. I found this a great read to sit with my cup of tea and become absorbed in Janine's tale and that of her conversations with others. The ending is compelling and not unexpected as the story develops but still poignant.
Well worth reading, I will now be seeking the Authors other books to enjoy.
I initially found it hard to like the protaganist and found her rather one dimensional however the reasons for this become more apparent as her journey progresses. The tales of Janine's sexual experiences are not gratuitous but rather build the picture of the character.
The picture the author paints of rural Queensland and NT had me reaching for the pen to note down names of places to investigate further. I found this a great read to sit with my cup of tea and become absorbed in Janine's tale and that of her conversations with others. The ending is compelling and not unexpected as the story develops but still poignant.
Well worth reading, I will now be seeking the Authors other books to enjoy.
April 5, 2014
This is a book that almost hit the spot, but was let down by a lack of ambition. The reason for the journey is not apparent until almost at the end of the book, although one can guess. I am afraid I don't like having to guess as I walk along the author's pathway, I want guidance, not a GPS co-ordinate out in the desert somewhere.
I think the book would have benefited from even more detail about the journey, the country, the desert, the boredom, the heat, the flies, the sunsets etc.
The conversations were a mixed bag, some much more interesting than others although they were all well narrated. The writing style is easy and flows quite well until it suddenly stops and I felt cheated out of more detail.
The sex I found believable but not erotic; probably this is deliberate. The author is admitting to her own sexual fantasies but hides the intimate details from our curious gaze.
More ambition and it would be a winner for me.
I think the book would have benefited from even more detail about the journey, the country, the desert, the boredom, the heat, the flies, the sunsets etc.
The conversations were a mixed bag, some much more interesting than others although they were all well narrated. The writing style is easy and flows quite well until it suddenly stops and I felt cheated out of more detail.
The sex I found believable but not erotic; probably this is deliberate. The author is admitting to her own sexual fantasies but hides the intimate details from our curious gaze.
More ambition and it would be a winner for me.
September 13, 2014
I enjoyed this book. What I enjoyed most about it� well, to reveal such would create a string of spoilers. What I can say is that I never would have read In Conversations with Strangers had I not known what it was about� which leads me to say that my only peeve about the book is its packaging and vague title. I believe that In Conversations with Strangers would attract a flock of eager readers if the title was a bit more explicit regarding the books contents and if the pitch was a bit more straightforward. The cover will most surely attract people seeking an erotic romance, yet the book is so much more than that. In Conversations with Strangers could benefit many people by making them realize that they are not alone. I have never read a book like this in my life and I hope that it gets the promotion and recognition it deserves, from both the general public and its target audience.
March 13, 2016
Jeanine jumps in her car and simply races off, to get as far away as fast as possible. Crossing the Australian outback, she meets people who confide their life’s stories to her, which she dutifully records alongside her own increasingly reckless journey.
This is not only a great journey through a unique land, but through the eyes of an unusual mind. Jeanine’s oddly detached narrative, impulsive and erratic behaviour make her a bit difficult to fathom or relate to until all the short glimpses we get of her true self slowly come together to make perfect sense. In the end, her story is probably the most poignant of all.
The writing, the imagery, the tone, are all perfect reflections of Jeanine herself, often all the more so through what is not said or shown. It is the kind of story that stays with you, if not necessarily in a pleasant way.
This is not only a great journey through a unique land, but through the eyes of an unusual mind. Jeanine’s oddly detached narrative, impulsive and erratic behaviour make her a bit difficult to fathom or relate to until all the short glimpses we get of her true self slowly come together to make perfect sense. In the end, her story is probably the most poignant of all.
The writing, the imagery, the tone, are all perfect reflections of Jeanine herself, often all the more so through what is not said or shown. It is the kind of story that stays with you, if not necessarily in a pleasant way.
November 12, 2013
I was lucky to recieve this as a First Reads giveaway, this has not influenced my review.
I quite liked the style of writing, but the story felt contrived - what is revealed towards the end of the book excuses this to an extent, it is the nature of Janine's first person narrative.
The other twists at the end were hinted at earlier & spoiled it a bit for me.
I didn't feel particulatly connected to Janine (even though I can relate to the social ineptitudes), & the other minor characters were shells without enough filling. Given Janine's nature, what we get is what we get... but its a bit of a cheat that anything lacking is written off as the condition of the narrator.
There were characters that I might have preferred hearing from - a collection of short stories maybe?
I quite liked the style of writing, but the story felt contrived - what is revealed towards the end of the book excuses this to an extent, it is the nature of Janine's first person narrative.
The other twists at the end were hinted at earlier & spoiled it a bit for me.
I didn't feel particulatly connected to Janine (even though I can relate to the social ineptitudes), & the other minor characters were shells without enough filling. Given Janine's nature, what we get is what we get... but its a bit of a cheat that anything lacking is written off as the condition of the narrator.
There were characters that I might have preferred hearing from - a collection of short stories maybe?
December 9, 2014
Expertly revealed: True to life characters and an outback Aussie road trip� this is a touching and shocking human drama, the telling of which begins in turmoil and takes us on two journeys. One is the road trip � onward into discovery and hurt. The other is a series of flashbacks that lead us to our starting point and an expertly crafted reveal. Wonderfully written � mesmerizing� this is a terrific novel.
October 30, 2013
The writing style was not my cup of tea too one dimensional for my taste. I didn't feel like I had been on the journey and didn't get to know the characters thoughts and feelings leaving me indifferent towards them. The stories were interesting enough so when I stopped reading I could pick it up again.
May 1, 2014
This book started weird and ended the same way. I didn't feel like I had been on the journey and didn't get to know the characters thoughts and feelings, leaving me indifferent towards them. I was confused as what was happening most of the time and I don't think the blurb gave an accurate description of the book. The writing style was strange and the ending creeped me out.
January 6, 2014
I found what was left unsaid in this novel enthralling. While I found Janine's sexual encounters disturbing, this added to the intrigue. The author's style was unusual - direct and giving the impression of being rushed. I feel that this added interest rather than detracted from the story. Not a feel good read by any means but memorable.
October 12, 2013
I won this book through First reads. It was not my type of writing style or storyline I like. It took me a while to read as I kept putting it down as I couldn't follow it very well. It was a strange concept of a story. Started weird and ended the same.
December 21, 2014
A different tale.
Janine writes stories about people she meets interspersed with her own story. Her story is fairly predictable but told in a unique way. This is an easy read and relatively short and the reader picks up a little Australian geography along the way.
Janine writes stories about people she meets interspersed with her own story. Her story is fairly predictable but told in a unique way. This is an easy read and relatively short and the reader picks up a little Australian geography along the way.
January 5, 2016
Interesting and thought provoking while being a bit strange
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