Reviews

4.8 * Excellent novel. Great pace looking at life through a nameless teenager who has spent her life on the run living in cars but still holding a romantic, optimistic view of the world.

Set in Brisbane, Queensland, this novel gives the reader a view of homelessness, poverty, drug abuse and distribution, debt, violence, abuse, and disadvantage. That is without even mentioning climate change with a flooding Brisbane, and insightful references to how an Olympics opening ceremony might reference homelessness and massacres of 1st Nations people. Highly recommended.

heather_m92's review

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hopeful reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

charliechorlie's review

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adventurous emotional hopeful tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Probably my favourite Trent Dalton book. Delicately humanises and characterises the complexities of houselessness, its different forms and factors, in the distinctly Australian scene-setting Dalton is best at. However, I found the angle taken with regards to policing of the houseless community of Brisbane quite confusing- Lola’s relationship with the officers involved becomes a positive force in her life, whilst the scenes of police moving along the houseless population feel almost sanitised in order to set up the relationship development between Lola and Topping later on and position Brisbane police as politically neutral, ethically correct institution.

Beyond that, I hold so much empathy for Lola and her voice is incredibly strong and consistent throughout. The illustrations complement the way she is written in a way I rarely find with illustrations in novels. Whilst the ending to her story does feel idealistic (between Danny and no one asking questions when she pays thousands up front for art school), I can’t help but want things to stay that perfect for her, so I can’t really be mad about it.