Blue Wolf Reviews

Tag: missing

  • Nova’s Missing Masterpiece

    Nova’s Missing Masterpiece

    The bold colours used on the front cover of Nova’s Missing Masterpiece suggest an exciting and vigorous story to be told. This is true. Nova has discovered that the masterpiece she has drawn for her father’s birthday is missing.

    Her exasperation and annoyance are clearly shown as she hunts through the house for her treasure. With her dog Harley alongside, she systematically looks in all the places she might have placed it. Inside the piano…on the bookshelf… in the washing machine…No!.. “WHERE IS IT SHE ROARED?”

    Harley the dog shows his calm demeanour to Nova, and she remembers how belly breathing can help to calm things down. She resumes the hunt but is foiled again. Harley has a drink of water and Nova remembers that a drink helps you to slow down and think. In this clever way the reader is reminded of good practice for overcoming frustrations.

    The background colour of each page is red while a profusion of bright colours is added to set the scene for the chaos and turmoil. On these brightly coloured pages the text is in white making it easy to read. This is an enjoyable look at the trials of finding a lost item. The great variations in the colours and details of the backgrounds on each page help to enjoy the resolution of this story.

  • The Missing Among Us: Stories of missing persons and those left behind

    The Missing Among Us: Stories of missing persons and those left behind

    Some people choose to go missing, while others are compelled by forces outside of their control. Sometimes the reason for their disappearance is somewhere in the blurry space between electing to go and being taken. However, missing people leave behind someone who is grieving for them, who is missing them, who cares about them and just wishes to know that they are safe and well; they have disappeared from the fold of their relationships.

    When reading about a missing person, straight to mind would come missing children, such as the Beaumont children or Madeline McCann or maybe someone who has been abducted, kidnapped or runaway.

    Author, Erin Stewart, however takes a much broader view, by asserting that missing persons by their nature are an ambiguous reality; we don’t know where they are. There are many and varied causes why someone may go missing. In her book she investigates, many of these reasons by undertaking interviews with a wide range of people who work/volunteer this complex and broad area. She explores amongst others, war casualties, refugees, stolen children, the removal of first nations children, unaccompanied minors, role of ‘new religious movements’ (cults) and runaways as a result of child abuse or mental health as reasons for someone disappearing from the lives of those who care.  

    What started out as a PhD thesis has resulted into a comprehensive book about the concept of ‘missing persons’? Readers will find this both an interesting and informative read. The author’s final chapter is an excellent recap of the content and assertions made in this book. For those readers who wish to undertake further reading in this area, the author has included a wide-ranging reading list.

  • The Space Between

    The Space Between

    For her first novel, Rachel writes with great understanding and intensity. Her portrayal of young adult passions and emotions are credible and realistic. Their world is filled with issues that cannot help but scar the heart, such as a brother dying of cancer and a family divorce. Coping with these problems forces life to become a day by day journey; sorting out thoughts and feelings, while also developing a new relationship, draws upon every ounce of the main character, Erica’s strength and courage.

     The story begins with Erica, the narrator, going on a camping trip with Daina, her best friend, Daina’s brother, Alex and Erica, another girl from school. The night is long and Erica doesn’t go back to the tent that she was sharing with Daina. In the morning Daina is missing and after a time the police are called and a search is mounted. Everyone is frantic and it is here we get to know the characters intimately. Their reactions and the devastation and guilt they each feel is truthfully portrayed.

     The writing evokes a sense of recognition in the reader that draws one into the story, and you read it with heart and head. Gradually pieces of the puzzle emerge. When Daina’s diary is found, Erica unashamedly takes it as she needs to know and understand what has happened to her friend.  Relationships between Erica and her parents, the families of Daina, Alex and Erica, are explored again with feeling; so many issues and yet so little to be done.

     It is great to read a book set in South Australia. For many  the area is familiar and makes sense of the story. Rachel also has a wonderful sense of being in the water, describing Erica’s feelings as she enters a pool and swims, holding her breath. “This is how I have taught myself what it is to breathe.” It is almost a cleansing ritual for her, which unfortunately doesn’t help her inner thoughts.

     The twist at the end of the novel is startling and brings many threads of the story together. It will allow the characters to move on, although they will never forget the girl, the love, or the lesson.  Life today is tough for many young adults, and following the thoughts and inner feelings of the characters helps us to understand and empathize with them.

    Shortlisted for the 2016 Ampersand Prize**