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kaje_harper's review against another edition
4.0
Set at the turn of the 20th century, in the Australian theater scene, this book gave a fascinating look at the location, and the details of the performing arts of the era. There is also an ongoing mystery aspect, a sexy police officer, and both biological and found family.
The first-person narrative has a language and tone appropriate to the era, and the main character - Edward Murray - is at once dramatic and a bit stoic, brushing off a fascinating traumatic past in simple phrases and asides. He and his brother Theo have deep ties stretching back to a childhood of deprivation and exploitation. And although the time frame is more sympathetic to same-sex attraction than would be the case a few decades earlier or later, it still has its hazards. While I didn't fall deeply and emotionally for the characters, I was very engaged in their journey.
At this moment in time - 1902 - Edward is "Australia's Son" - beloved for his renowned rendition of the iconic song, and for his operatic voice and acting. His brother is a well-liked performer in the popular theater, as opposed to opera. Together they have worked their way up from nothing to a fame and fortune that allow them to build a house in the country and plan for retirement. But the murder of Edward's stand-in and best friend Howard, opens an onslaught of violence as puzzling as it is frightening and infuriating to Edward.
The characters are appealing, the scene-setting is fascinating, and the story rolls along to a dramatic conclusion. The romance is fast, but takes place in the midst of trauma which makes it believable. And this depiction of men in the theater in that era held my attention all the way through.
The first-person narrative has a language and tone appropriate to the era, and the main character - Edward Murray - is at once dramatic and a bit stoic, brushing off a fascinating traumatic past in simple phrases and asides. He and his brother Theo have deep ties stretching back to a childhood of deprivation and exploitation. And although the time frame is more sympathetic to same-sex attraction than would be the case a few decades earlier or later, it still has its hazards. While I didn't fall deeply and emotionally for the characters, I was very engaged in their journey.
At this moment in time - 1902 - Edward is "Australia's Son" - beloved for his renowned rendition of the iconic song, and for his operatic voice and acting. His brother is a well-liked performer in the popular theater, as opposed to opera. Together they have worked their way up from nothing to a fame and fortune that allow them to build a house in the country and plan for retirement. But the murder of Edward's stand-in and best friend Howard, opens an onslaught of violence as puzzling as it is frightening and infuriating to Edward.
The characters are appealing, the scene-setting is fascinating, and the story rolls along to a dramatic conclusion. The romance is fast, but takes place in the midst of trauma which makes it believable. And this depiction of men in the theater in that era held my attention all the way through.
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