An affluent and ambitious family in inner Melbourne find themselves spinning out of control. When ACTU boss John Clare falls to his death from the roof of the family home, a note found on him makes it seem like suicide. But is that the case? It’s 2010 and John has helped put Kevin Rudd in power, later toppled by Julia Gillard. A failed bid to win the seat of Melbourne plunged John into a depression. On top of that his personal life is a mess. He’s carrying on an affair with a staffer, Tessa, and his fed up wife Grace voted for his Green rival. His daughter, Sophie, is having an emotional meltdown and son Toby has been accused of serious misconduct. No one is happy. When John’s body is found it causes everyone to examine their own behaviour. Debut novelist Jessica Stanley has worked in journalism and politics, experiences that strongly inform the text. The dialogue and situations have the compelling ring of truth. While the novel is situated in the world of politics, its main focus is, to paraphrase Tolstoy, an unhappy family unhappy in its own particular way. Resentments, betrayals, outraged egos litter every page. This is affluent, successful Australia, mired in unrelenting misery. Think Richard Yates’ Revolutionary Road, set in Fitzroy, Melbourne. An emotional train wreck, coupled with a mysterious death, all written in an addictive prose that keeps the reader firmly in its grip. A Great Hope, by Jessica Stanley. Published by Picador. $32.99 This review first published at Books + Publishing. Review by Chris Saliba Comments are closed.
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