The Fine Colour of RustP.A. O'Reilly

BOOK REVIEW

---

I thoroughly enjoyed this quirky tale, set in Gunapan,  a small country town somewhere in Victoria but a town that could be found in Queensland, or Western Australia or any other part of Australia.  Close your eyes as you read the first page – set in the unlikely location of Norm’s junk yard, full of the accumulated remains of long-discarded agricultural equipment, wrecked cars and corrugated iron.  You can feel the dust in your face, the sun on your back.  Move on to the school, mothers and children gathered under the odd shade tree alongside the cyclone wire fence – a scene repeated in any town, small or large all over Australia.

 This is Loretta’s town. She moved from the city with her children looking for cheaper housing and a simpler life after her husband walked out.  But now the primary school is threatened with closure,  developers have an eye on land near the town, old Norm's junkyard is threatened with closure, and Loretta's ex turns up in town.

Loretta realises it is time to take control of her life, and contribute to the life of the town also.    

About the Reviewer

This book was reviewed by Helen Howes, Profiling & Selection Co-ordinator.  Helen has held a number of positions in her many years at James Bennett and specialises in data collection, ONIX, and bibliographic data.  She is also a senior profiler, responsible for selecting and allocating academic books to libraries.