Promised a trampoline for Christmas, the Ryan children are disappointed to find that the money has instead been spent on a caravan to travel around Australia in. Leaving the comfort of their home in Brisbane, the family set off through the floods of 1974 on what’s supposed to be the adventure of a lifetime!
Reading this well-crafted and emotive novel, I had every sympathy for eight-year-old Annie, her siblings and their mother, who didn’t seem invested in the trip at all. The father of the family comes across as a controlling and domineering presence, who always wants things to work out his way. The atmosphere in the car as they travel feels tense and claustrophobic.
The journey is not without moments of joy, such as the witnessing of beautiful and lush scenery, which they hadn’t experienced at home. There is also happiness to be found when the family find work in a vineyard, run by a lovely Italian couple, and during their time staying in Adelaide.
The book also features dark and distressing scenes featuring physical, emotional and sexual abuse, of which I would advise caution to those who may be triggered by such subjects. These issues are handled in a sensitive manner by the author.
Despite all the storms, tragedy and turmoil they face on route, the Ryan family manage to weather them in their own way. Annie, who serves as our narrator for their story is a wonderful presence, full of curiosity and clever observations.
By the time their journey has concluded, the Ryan family are left forever altered by the events, people and situations they experience along the way. I can’t wait to see what happens next in Annie’s story, when the sequel is published. I’ve no hesitation in awarding this heartfelt book 5 stars.
