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Only Ever Always
This city's crumbling to nothing, to rubble around me. I walk and walk and scour and soft and quarry. I find what's left.
Claire lives in an ordinary world where everything is whole. But inside, Claire is broken, so she retreats into a dreamscape.
Clara's world has always been broken. She avoids the seamy side when she can, but with powerful people pulling the strings, it's not always possible.
Clair's and Clara's paths are set to collide, and each has much to lose - or gain
Claire lives in an ordinary world where everything is whole. But inside, Claire is broken, so she retreats into a dreamscape.
Clara's world has always been broken. She avoids the seamy side when she can, but with powerful people pulling the strings, it's not always possible.
Clair's and Clara's paths are set to collide, and each has much to lose - or gain
157 pages, Paperback
First published July 27, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
July 31, 2011
Claire is an ordinary girl whose world is about to be ripped to shreds. Her uncle Charlie has been in an accident, and no amount of promising from Claire’s mum will guarantee his health. While Claire waits to hear news from the hospital, she thinks about Charlie’s wife, Pia, and the baby on the way – Claire’s little cousin to-be.
In another time and place, Clara is on the wrong side of the river – a slum girl in a desolate world where zones have kings and Clara is torn between her own Andrew, and the brown-water eyed Groom, who begs her to cross the river with him.
Both girls dream of music boxes and keys, and eventually their worlds cross and interlace – Clara imprisoned in Miss Boedica’s palace cage and Claire on the verge of heartache in her bed.
But who is the dreamer and who is the dream?
‘Only Ever Always’ is the new young adult novel from Australian author, Penni Russon.
I’ll be honest and say that ‘Only Ever Always’ is not your typical YA novel, nor will it tickle the fancy of every young reader. But the toughness is part of the charm, as Russon explores complicated literary illusions and offers up a very different form of storytelling. ‘Only Ever Always’ will be a rewarding read for the intrepid young bibliophile who dares to try – but it’s also a novel to captivate and challenge older readers, as I found.
Normally I wouldn’t be overly interested in a novel like ‘Only Ever Always’ (much as it shames me to admit). But I was willing to give the benefit of the doubt, thanks to a film trailer I watched recently. The 2011 indie film ‘Another Earth’ from director Mike Cahill is the story of a duplicate earth – a replica planet where doppelganger’s mirror earth’s residents. Since watching the trailer for this film I have found myself fascinated with the idea of parallel worlds and parallel-selves – so much so that I thought the release of Russon’s novel happily fortuitous, since she explores similar themes in ‘Only Ever Always’.
There is Claire – living in a world much like our own, with a mother and a father and an uncle and aunt coming to visit. But when tragedy strikes she retreats into herself, awaiting news of her uncle from the comfort of her bed. She weaves in and out of fretful sleep.
Intersecting with Claire is Clara – a girl from a strange and dirty place. She is a guttersnipe, trading goods at the market and desperately searching for medicine for her sickly saviour, Andrew. Clara is pursued by gutter king, Groom, who desperately wants her as his own and wishes she would cross the river with him . . . and Clara is terrified at how badly she starts to want Groom too.
Readers will bring different understandings to Claire and Clara – you may think that one is a dream and the other the dreamer. Perhaps you wait for their real-time lives to catch up and for them to meet face to face. And that is the precise, distilled brilliance of ‘Only Ever Always’. It’s illusive and open-ended, altered by the impressions of the reader.
I am a dreamer too, and I must wake into a world of dreamers. You can feel it – can’t you? – the peeling off of me, another small loss you have to bear. We all bear it, as best we can, this infinite chain of miniature losses, a hundred thousand stories, a hundred thousand endings. A rehearsal you could call it, for the last ending that’s bound to come, eventually, somewhere in the white space between here and dreaming.
Claire and Clara’s alternate universes floating between dream and dreamer reminded me of an infamous quote from Chinese philosopher, Master Zhuang.
Once upon a time, I, Chuang Chou, dreamt I was a butterfly, fluttering hither and thither, to all intents and purposes a butterfly. I was conscious only of my happiness as a butterfly, unaware that I was Chou. Soon I awaked, and there I was, veritably myself again. Now I do not know whether I was then a man dreaming I was a butterfly, or whether I am now a butterfly, dreaming I am a man.
As I said before, ‘Only Ever Always’ is not an ‘easy’ young adult novel. If you read the author’s note at the end of the book, you’ll see that Russon conjured the idea for the novel during a conversation with her young daughter around about the time she was writing a master degree thesis about melancholy in narrative structure. Like I said; not exactly an ‘easy’ concept to grapple with – especially in young adult fiction.
But Russon strings readers along in her melancholic narrative by writing a very fascinating Clara-story. This world is very strange, at once harking back to a grimy past, but with hints of modernity. It almost reads like a steampunk mash-up of duelling atmosphere. And making Clara’s story even more interesting is her altering feelings for Groom – the boy who wants to cage her, and who she just might like being captured by.
‘Only Ever Always’ is not an easy novel, but Russon’s story is beautifully strange and lyrically intricate. It’s a different sort of YA read, and all the more fulfilling for its oddity.
In another time and place, Clara is on the wrong side of the river – a slum girl in a desolate world where zones have kings and Clara is torn between her own Andrew, and the brown-water eyed Groom, who begs her to cross the river with him.
Both girls dream of music boxes and keys, and eventually their worlds cross and interlace – Clara imprisoned in Miss Boedica’s palace cage and Claire on the verge of heartache in her bed.
But who is the dreamer and who is the dream?
‘Only Ever Always’ is the new young adult novel from Australian author, Penni Russon.
I’ll be honest and say that ‘Only Ever Always’ is not your typical YA novel, nor will it tickle the fancy of every young reader. But the toughness is part of the charm, as Russon explores complicated literary illusions and offers up a very different form of storytelling. ‘Only Ever Always’ will be a rewarding read for the intrepid young bibliophile who dares to try – but it’s also a novel to captivate and challenge older readers, as I found.
Normally I wouldn’t be overly interested in a novel like ‘Only Ever Always’ (much as it shames me to admit). But I was willing to give the benefit of the doubt, thanks to a film trailer I watched recently. The 2011 indie film ‘Another Earth’ from director Mike Cahill is the story of a duplicate earth – a replica planet where doppelganger’s mirror earth’s residents. Since watching the trailer for this film I have found myself fascinated with the idea of parallel worlds and parallel-selves – so much so that I thought the release of Russon’s novel happily fortuitous, since she explores similar themes in ‘Only Ever Always’.
There is Claire – living in a world much like our own, with a mother and a father and an uncle and aunt coming to visit. But when tragedy strikes she retreats into herself, awaiting news of her uncle from the comfort of her bed. She weaves in and out of fretful sleep.
Intersecting with Claire is Clara – a girl from a strange and dirty place. She is a guttersnipe, trading goods at the market and desperately searching for medicine for her sickly saviour, Andrew. Clara is pursued by gutter king, Groom, who desperately wants her as his own and wishes she would cross the river with him . . . and Clara is terrified at how badly she starts to want Groom too.
Readers will bring different understandings to Claire and Clara – you may think that one is a dream and the other the dreamer. Perhaps you wait for their real-time lives to catch up and for them to meet face to face. And that is the precise, distilled brilliance of ‘Only Ever Always’. It’s illusive and open-ended, altered by the impressions of the reader.
I am a dreamer too, and I must wake into a world of dreamers. You can feel it – can’t you? – the peeling off of me, another small loss you have to bear. We all bear it, as best we can, this infinite chain of miniature losses, a hundred thousand stories, a hundred thousand endings. A rehearsal you could call it, for the last ending that’s bound to come, eventually, somewhere in the white space between here and dreaming.
Claire and Clara’s alternate universes floating between dream and dreamer reminded me of an infamous quote from Chinese philosopher, Master Zhuang.
Once upon a time, I, Chuang Chou, dreamt I was a butterfly, fluttering hither and thither, to all intents and purposes a butterfly. I was conscious only of my happiness as a butterfly, unaware that I was Chou. Soon I awaked, and there I was, veritably myself again. Now I do not know whether I was then a man dreaming I was a butterfly, or whether I am now a butterfly, dreaming I am a man.
As I said before, ‘Only Ever Always’ is not an ‘easy’ young adult novel. If you read the author’s note at the end of the book, you’ll see that Russon conjured the idea for the novel during a conversation with her young daughter around about the time she was writing a master degree thesis about melancholy in narrative structure. Like I said; not exactly an ‘easy’ concept to grapple with – especially in young adult fiction.
But Russon strings readers along in her melancholic narrative by writing a very fascinating Clara-story. This world is very strange, at once harking back to a grimy past, but with hints of modernity. It almost reads like a steampunk mash-up of duelling atmosphere. And making Clara’s story even more interesting is her altering feelings for Groom – the boy who wants to cage her, and who she just might like being captured by.
‘Only Ever Always’ is not an easy novel, but Russon’s story is beautifully strange and lyrically intricate. It’s a different sort of YA read, and all the more fulfilling for its oddity.
October 18, 2011
This review is also posted on my blog, In The Good Books.
Claire and Clara are one and the same, but of two very different worlds. Dire circumstances and eerie parallel music boxes will lead them to the other, but there's no balance to be found with them where they don't belong. Eventually, the question becomes, which is the dream and which is the dreamer? How much is real?
A lesser question: how little justice will I do this magical book?
Only Ever Always has the atmosphere of a fairy tale -- not the Disney kind, but of the original you find out years later to be vastly different. It was eerie and vivid and oddly hypnotic, the setting reminiscent of that of This Is Shyness. Clara's world is just a decayed parallel of Claire's, but it has this intoxicating otherworldly vibe to it that feels separate.
The prose was effortlessly descriptive and gave a vivid picture of the unique world Russon built. She has a definite talent for writing, invoking so much emotion and weaving spare phrases that resonated. Her partial second person narration was pulled off brilliantly and helped us to feel deeply involved.
It would have been difficult to not become invested in the characters of Only Ever Always. Clara and Claire had this connection before they even met, united by their oddly poignant music box and like wistful voices. The relationships they held with others defined them as well. The story opens with Clara and Andrew talking of adventures, before we knew anything about them, and as their dynamic shifted, I was always thinking back to that initial place.
Penni Russon did so much in so little pages. Reading the author's note afterwards in which she tells about what led her to write Only Ever Always gave us insight into how much the initial idea developed since conception. By the end I was just holding the tiny book amazed at how much I was affected by it. Russon is a master storyteller.
Reading Only Ever Always felt like an effort, in a best way. It isn't a smooth, soft read, but rather dark and difficult, and beautifully touching.
I give Only Ever Always a 6 out of 5.
Claire and Clara are one and the same, but of two very different worlds. Dire circumstances and eerie parallel music boxes will lead them to the other, but there's no balance to be found with them where they don't belong. Eventually, the question becomes, which is the dream and which is the dreamer? How much is real?
A lesser question: how little justice will I do this magical book?
Only Ever Always has the atmosphere of a fairy tale -- not the Disney kind, but of the original you find out years later to be vastly different. It was eerie and vivid and oddly hypnotic, the setting reminiscent of that of This Is Shyness. Clara's world is just a decayed parallel of Claire's, but it has this intoxicating otherworldly vibe to it that feels separate.
The prose was effortlessly descriptive and gave a vivid picture of the unique world Russon built. She has a definite talent for writing, invoking so much emotion and weaving spare phrases that resonated. Her partial second person narration was pulled off brilliantly and helped us to feel deeply involved.
It would have been difficult to not become invested in the characters of Only Ever Always. Clara and Claire had this connection before they even met, united by their oddly poignant music box and like wistful voices. The relationships they held with others defined them as well. The story opens with Clara and Andrew talking of adventures, before we knew anything about them, and as their dynamic shifted, I was always thinking back to that initial place.
Penni Russon did so much in so little pages. Reading the author's note afterwards in which she tells about what led her to write Only Ever Always gave us insight into how much the initial idea developed since conception. By the end I was just holding the tiny book amazed at how much I was affected by it. Russon is a master storyteller.
Reading Only Ever Always felt like an effort, in a best way. It isn't a smooth, soft read, but rather dark and difficult, and beautifully touching.
I give Only Ever Always a 6 out of 5.
July 31, 2011
I loved Penni Russon's mysterious, elliptical novel of place, dreams, grief and identity. I was going to add time to that list, but that's not strictly accurate—it's not a time slip novel at all, although it feels very much like one, and reminds me of books like Charlotte Sometimes and even somehow Jill Paton Walsh's Goldengrove Unleaving. (The latter, I think, largely somehow in a shared mood or tone, as well as the non-straightforward narrative, of which, it must be said, I am a fan. It might also have something to do with the melancholia in fairy tales that Penni refers to in her author's note.) I also reckon fans of Phillip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy would find much to be challenged and intrigued by in Only Ever Always—there are echoes of Lyra-like characterisation in Clara in particular. And from there we can also draw a line to 19th century literature, in the somewhat Dickensian overtones to Clara's world (has there ever been a more over-used word in book reviews than Dickensian?!) and the narrative courage of the great Victorian novelists.
There's a lot to say about Penni's narrative choices in Only Ever Always—in particular, the use of the second person narrative voice in certain sections of the novel, which somehow seems to draw in and implicate the reader as a participant, as a third version of Claire/Clara—but that might be best left to my teaching (and personal ruminations). What can I say, I'm a narratology geek (although not as big a one as I'd like!).
With parallel stories, worlds and characters, this is not a novel for a casual reader—it requires close attention, not just from the intellect, but from the heart. It's a book where not having all the answers is the most satisfying and in fact only conclusion—because life isn't always neat and tidy, and open endings suggest adventure and the great wonder of uncertainty—for the brave. If that sounds like a book for you— as it is a book for me—then I whole-heartedly commend Only Ever Always to you.
There's a lot to say about Penni's narrative choices in Only Ever Always—in particular, the use of the second person narrative voice in certain sections of the novel, which somehow seems to draw in and implicate the reader as a participant, as a third version of Claire/Clara—but that might be best left to my teaching (and personal ruminations). What can I say, I'm a narratology geek (although not as big a one as I'd like!).
With parallel stories, worlds and characters, this is not a novel for a casual reader—it requires close attention, not just from the intellect, but from the heart. It's a book where not having all the answers is the most satisfying and in fact only conclusion—because life isn't always neat and tidy, and open endings suggest adventure and the great wonder of uncertainty—for the brave. If that sounds like a book for you— as it is a book for me—then I whole-heartedly commend Only Ever Always to you.
September 15, 2013
WHAT I LIKED: Clara is a strong protagonist; she’s feisty and loyal. Clara’s world feels dystopian/post-apocalyptic/primitive, reminding me of the settings of Ship Breaker or Chaos Walking Trilogy. The connection between Clara’s and Claire’s worlds is enticing and has a kind of fairy tale/Peter Pan quality to it. The cast of characters is like a carnival with lots of villains and mysterious actors. The world Russon created is dreamy and magical, and delves into the idea of parallel universes.
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE: This is not so much what I didn’t like, but what middle school students might not like--it’s very poetic and lyrical at times. Most of the book takes place in Clara’s world, which is the more interesting of the two. the dialect here is pretty readable, but when the author makes the switch from Clara’s 1st person narrative world, to Claire’s 2nd person narrative world, it’s a bit of a stumble. When the author brings back Claire fully toward the end, the reader will get much more out of the story if he/she is willing to dig deeper into symbolism and interpretation. Just the plot on it’s own merit without digging deeper might leave some students a little bored.
Grade level rec: upper MS/lower HS
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE: This is not so much what I didn’t like, but what middle school students might not like--it’s very poetic and lyrical at times. Most of the book takes place in Clara’s world, which is the more interesting of the two. the dialect here is pretty readable, but when the author makes the switch from Clara’s 1st person narrative world, to Claire’s 2nd person narrative world, it’s a bit of a stumble. When the author brings back Claire fully toward the end, the reader will get much more out of the story if he/she is willing to dig deeper into symbolism and interpretation. Just the plot on it’s own merit without digging deeper might leave some students a little bored.
Grade level rec: upper MS/lower HS
September 25, 2012
Only Ever Always stunned me by being a fantasy book.
In fact, I was ready to put it down, for I’ve read enough horribly-written fantasy books to put me off reading forever. But for some reason or another, I continued reading it. Maybe it was how the fantasy plot wasn’t completely set in another world, and was a dream instead. However, it doesn’t change the fact I’m happy to read it.
The book is beautiful, to say the least. I also like how Claire and Clara had similar names. Although that made it a little confusing for fast readers who’re zooming from page to page and getting the names mixed up, it did serve a wonderful purpose.
I loved Clara’s story. In fact, she seemed to have more character –more spunk– than Claire. It didn’t stop me loving them both. The fact somebody can write two characters who’re likable in a fantasy novel stuns me –or maybe I just haven’t been reading enough of that genre.
Overall, a beautifully written book. It lost a star for the heavy, sometime boring, description, but still remains a must-read.
In fact, I was ready to put it down, for I’ve read enough horribly-written fantasy books to put me off reading forever. But for some reason or another, I continued reading it. Maybe it was how the fantasy plot wasn’t completely set in another world, and was a dream instead. However, it doesn’t change the fact I’m happy to read it.
The book is beautiful, to say the least. I also like how Claire and Clara had similar names. Although that made it a little confusing for fast readers who’re zooming from page to page and getting the names mixed up, it did serve a wonderful purpose.
I loved Clara’s story. In fact, she seemed to have more character –more spunk– than Claire. It didn’t stop me loving them both. The fact somebody can write two characters who’re likable in a fantasy novel stuns me –or maybe I just haven’t been reading enough of that genre.
Overall, a beautifully written book. It lost a star for the heavy, sometime boring, description, but still remains a must-read.
January 30, 2012
Four-and-a-half stars for this eerie and unorthodox YA novel that tracks the pain of loss and leaving childhood behind across parallel lives. Claire's world is commonplace and familiar; Clara's, post-apocalyptic and dangerous. A music box provides the key to their worlds colliding in a shared dreamscape. Fascinating and adventurous in its writing, "Only Ever Always" is for those who love reading to be both challenging and mesmerising.
August 17, 2014
Claire’s uncle has just been in a terrible motorcycle accident. She escapes into her dreams where another girl Clara comes alive. Clara lives in another place altogether – surrounded by rubbish and broken buildings. She must stay inside at night to avoid the Rangers and rabid dogs that prowl her streets. Clara too has someone she loves who needs medical care. Her friend Andrew needs medicine and in her search she ends up in Claire’s world. But which world is real? Claire’s or Clara’s….
An eerie but poetic story of parallel worlds, between dreams of consciousness, dealing with grief, loss and love.
An eerie but poetic story of parallel worlds, between dreams of consciousness, dealing with grief, loss and love.
April 19, 2012
I thought I would love this book and was really looking forward to reading it. Maybe its just the strange head-space I'm in but it just didn't grab me. The writing is beautiful, the concept is gorgeous, the world is intriguing, the characters bizarre, and yet it just didn't click for me.
That said, I am certainly keen to follow up some more of Russon's work. (Her blog is rather awesome too!)
That said, I am certainly keen to follow up some more of Russon's work. (Her blog is rather awesome too!)
October 11, 2011
Only Ever Always is unlike anything I've read. It's like being in a dream and you're visiting a world you know you've been to before. Evereything is familiar and strange at the same time. It's a book that doesn't leave you when you've finished but permeates it's way through your mind. A hard book to describe, but a worthwhile read.
February 24, 2012
Beautifully written, the kind of book what reminds you what writing is for, after all.
Magic and a strange post-apocalyptic-ish worldscape, characters who are damaged but full of heart, and a story that is both realistic and tender. Not a word is wasted, and the writing is poetic and evocative.
Read it if you like to read good things.
Magic and a strange post-apocalyptic-ish worldscape, characters who are damaged but full of heart, and a story that is both realistic and tender. Not a word is wasted, and the writing is poetic and evocative.
Read it if you like to read good things.
July 6, 2020
This book lives inside me. I read it years ago and am still caught by flashes of memories of the characters that come to me at odd moments. Part of me believes they exist, somewhere out there, in some very true dreamscape just out of reach...beautiful writing and a truly original and remarkable story.
August 25, 2011
One of the few books this year I will consider re-reading. Not for a wide audience, adult readers of teen fiction will enjoy it and some selective teens. I think they struggled with the cover and it has ended up a bit bland.
August 15, 2011
Breathlessly incredible.
August 9, 2015
The author comes up with some very beautiful turns of phrase but idk how high she must have been to come up with this fever dream of a novel.
May 26, 2018
This was one of those reads that I initially grabbed off my shelf without too much thought. It looked short, it had a cute cover and I was in the mood for something simplistic and easy since I had been off school sick the last few days. It wasn't until I had finished the book that I realised I had literally no clue what happened. I just sat back and stared at the cover waiting for it all to hit home, but nothing came. All I could remember was a blur of poetry and purple prose, a incomprehensible muddle of nonsensical characters and dream worlds and dogs, actually. I remember there was a lot of dogs mentioned! The rest was all lost on me. It really wasn't what I was looking for. What a waste of time! Sigh.
March 18, 2021
I had the pleasure of being tutored by Penni during my final year of university (in the middle of the pandemic, through a computer screen) and, to be honest, initially started reading this one because I'm a goody-two-shoes who'd already done all the extra readings. What a delight it was to discover the joy and unapologetic heart of this novel in the process. Russon is someone who values every word she puts on the page, and you can tell. The pace is dreamy, Russon's protagonist is extremely likeable, and overall the novel reads as stunningly poetic. A surprising burst of light from the hell that was 2020 for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 4, 2018
Strange, but generally well-executed. There are a few places where the POV changes are jarring and Claire isn't half so engaging as Clara.
August 30, 2011
I've always been wary of reviewers who call authors 'ambitious'. It seems like a potentially back-handed compliment; like, ambitious but didn't succeed? Ambitious in the evil stab-you-in-the-back way?
I must call Only Ever Always ambitious. And I mean ambitious in try-anything, why-the-hell-not way. Because this is a novel that combines first, third, AND second-person narratives, and that's pretty ambitious. And outrageous to even suggest. What's awesome is that, although I found the first few shifts in perspectives a bit disconcerting, it most definitely works.
Russon gives us two different worlds, two sides of the same coin in many ways, where - to push the analogy perhaps too far - one side has been subjected to normal wear and tear, but the other side has been used much, much harder. In the first world is Claire, living a very recognisable life with recognisable griefs - no less grief for being recognisable, of course. In the second is Clara, living in a world where medicine is hard to find and four walls for one room is unusual, but still with its recognisable elements: powerful people pulling strings, and small people getting stuffed around. Somehow, Claire's and Clara's paths come within reach of each other... and things change.
The narrative structure is one of the most striking things about this book; it's only 157 pages long, but those changes in POV are dramatic and confronting and, well, striking. And effective; to be in the position of a character and telling the story one moment, to having your story told at you, to then being only an observer - it works, at this length anyway, to make the characters and their stories all the more enticing and compelling. This would probably have been the case anyway, because setting Claire's grief against Clara's struggle to survive and the conjunctions between their worlds makes for a really engaging plot. And the character of the two girls - their similarities and differences - made them very engaging characters, too; Claire in particular was believable, with her attitudes towards her family and beloved objects.
Finally, let me say that this is a really interesting cross-over of fantasy and science fiction. The multiple-worlds thing can be either a fantasy or SF trope. The dystopic world that Clara inhabits makes this, I think, more of a science fiction than a fantasy, but really that's splitting hairs. It could be read as either. And it's brilliant either way.
I must call Only Ever Always ambitious. And I mean ambitious in try-anything, why-the-hell-not way. Because this is a novel that combines first, third, AND second-person narratives, and that's pretty ambitious. And outrageous to even suggest. What's awesome is that, although I found the first few shifts in perspectives a bit disconcerting, it most definitely works.
Russon gives us two different worlds, two sides of the same coin in many ways, where - to push the analogy perhaps too far - one side has been subjected to normal wear and tear, but the other side has been used much, much harder. In the first world is Claire, living a very recognisable life with recognisable griefs - no less grief for being recognisable, of course. In the second is Clara, living in a world where medicine is hard to find and four walls for one room is unusual, but still with its recognisable elements: powerful people pulling strings, and small people getting stuffed around. Somehow, Claire's and Clara's paths come within reach of each other... and things change.
The narrative structure is one of the most striking things about this book; it's only 157 pages long, but those changes in POV are dramatic and confronting and, well, striking. And effective; to be in the position of a character and telling the story one moment, to having your story told at you, to then being only an observer - it works, at this length anyway, to make the characters and their stories all the more enticing and compelling. This would probably have been the case anyway, because setting Claire's grief against Clara's struggle to survive and the conjunctions between their worlds makes for a really engaging plot. And the character of the two girls - their similarities and differences - made them very engaging characters, too; Claire in particular was believable, with her attitudes towards her family and beloved objects.
Finally, let me say that this is a really interesting cross-over of fantasy and science fiction. The multiple-worlds thing can be either a fantasy or SF trope. The dystopic world that Clara inhabits makes this, I think, more of a science fiction than a fantasy, but really that's splitting hairs. It could be read as either. And it's brilliant either way.
January 1, 2012
As a contributor to the excellent ‘Girlfriend’ series of novels, Russon knows what it takes to appeal to the average teenage reader, particularly of the feminine variety, in mass market form. There is the required quality writing, but to a fabric of formula. It is a pity the publisher saw fit to cease their production as they gave work to some fine established, as well as up-and-coming, Australian writers. Russon probably fits in the former category now, especially with the release of ‘Only, Ever, Always’, which is a very different beast altogether to the aforementioned. Do we have a new Sonya Hartnett? Perhaps not quite yet, but this fine addition to her titles is something pretty special.
Taking a difficult premise Russon has come up with an effort that at first challenges, but then grips and mesmerises. Set in parallel worlds, one contemporary, the other a Dickensian post-apocalyptic nightmare, the book is aimed at young readers who’d search out more than the mere formulaic. I would hope that it reaches a wider readership as well – it certainly deserves to do so.
Particularly entrancing for this reader was ‘Sedge-speak’. Russon created beautifully descriptive, yet pithy, words to further darken the human condition in her anti-utopia. Her ending does not neatly tie up, but is masterful in the way it leads the reader to interpretation, and the pondering of if indeed this is the future.
No doubt the work will garner much critical acclaim. Let’s hope it gathers nominations as well to encourage sales – it should be fashionable to the wise who sit down and do their own pondering on such lists
Taking a difficult premise Russon has come up with an effort that at first challenges, but then grips and mesmerises. Set in parallel worlds, one contemporary, the other a Dickensian post-apocalyptic nightmare, the book is aimed at young readers who’d search out more than the mere formulaic. I would hope that it reaches a wider readership as well – it certainly deserves to do so.
Particularly entrancing for this reader was ‘Sedge-speak’. Russon created beautifully descriptive, yet pithy, words to further darken the human condition in her anti-utopia. Her ending does not neatly tie up, but is masterful in the way it leads the reader to interpretation, and the pondering of if indeed this is the future.
No doubt the work will garner much critical acclaim. Let’s hope it gathers nominations as well to encourage sales – it should be fashionable to the wise who sit down and do their own pondering on such lists
November 18, 2013
There are two switching POVs in this book, Claire and Clara. Claire is a kinda boring character, but Clara is so much more interesting! Her storyline is great, while Claire's is.....eh. I can't relate to either of the characters. I gave this book 2 stars, because a lot of things bothered me. I actually thought of dropping it, but decided not to because I hadn't read that much. I wasn't TOO disappointed. The writing style bothered me a lot. Claire's part was written in a mix of second and third person narration. Which is as confusing as it sounds. I have decided I hate second person narration. Its like, "You got off the bed." and I'm like, "No I didn't!". Its all very confusing.
Also, Claire has to deal with her uncle dying. Yes, it is bad, and I feel awful that her uncle passed away. But Clara has to deal with her ONLY family, Andrew, dying, has to live on the streets until captured by Lady, a sinister baroness who only wants to be feared, but loved at the same time, and has a boy named Grey who wants her to run off with him. All the stress of everything Clara had to deal with was way too much! I wish the whole book was based only on Clara, as it was much more interesting.
Overall, Only Ever was not that good. I don't think I'll be reading it again, but if there is a sequel, I might pick it up. I expected quite a lot from this book, what with the lovely cover (Don't judge a book by its cover, I KNOW!) and all of the good ratings on Goodreads, but I was let down. If you still think if the synopsis is interesting, you should pick it up, and at least check it out.
Also, Claire has to deal with her uncle dying. Yes, it is bad, and I feel awful that her uncle passed away. But Clara has to deal with her ONLY family, Andrew, dying, has to live on the streets until captured by Lady, a sinister baroness who only wants to be feared, but loved at the same time, and has a boy named Grey who wants her to run off with him. All the stress of everything Clara had to deal with was way too much! I wish the whole book was based only on Clara, as it was much more interesting.
Overall, Only Ever was not that good. I don't think I'll be reading it again, but if there is a sequel, I might pick it up. I expected quite a lot from this book, what with the lovely cover (Don't judge a book by its cover, I KNOW!) and all of the good ratings on Goodreads, but I was let down. If you still think if the synopsis is interesting, you should pick it up, and at least check it out.
September 9, 2019
Eh...well...not bad. She's not the first to explore the "who is the dreamer, who is the dreamed" plot, and this isn't a particularly glowing attempt, but it's not bad. The main negative point that sticks out to me is that her shifts from 2nd person to 3rd person and back (and occasionally to 1st person) are highly distracting. There's no need to shove all the grammatical persons into one novella unless it really, really works. (Hint: it doesn't work here.)
Otherwise? Claire doesn't feel like a fleshed-out character and Clara does, perhaps because we spend so much time with the latter. The plot felt a little muddled near the middle and end, like Russon wasn't sure exactly what she was doing or where she was going. But there were some nicely written parallels between worlds, and the book's message was expressed effectively. Again, not bad.
Otherwise? Claire doesn't feel like a fleshed-out character and Clara does, perhaps because we spend so much time with the latter. The plot felt a little muddled near the middle and end, like Russon wasn't sure exactly what she was doing or where she was going. But there were some nicely written parallels between worlds, and the book's message was expressed effectively. Again, not bad.
July 14, 2012
I've put off writing this for far too long, as it's just not the kind of book that's easily summarized in order to start. Roz sent it to me, very kindly, and I was really glad to get the chance to read it. Very elliptical parallel worlds set up, that leaves you wondering if there really is one 'real world' and one dream one, or if it's something slightly less straightforward even than that. But by the time it comes together at the end, it doesn't really matter - what stays with you is how effectively the theme of loss and letting go is handled.
July 13, 2013
This book had so much potential and I wish I could have given it at least a three. However, I couldn't really get into the book because of a) the changing between characters (either was too distinct or not distinct enough, not enough time per person to really get to know them, etc.) and b) the changing between persons - third person and second. Writing a character from second person was also an interesting idea but didn't do it for me. Hopefully Penni Russon's other books interest me more because she is a good author but I can't rate this book any higher.
September 19, 2012
Shortlisted for CBC 2012. Plot is a double hander. Claire lives in the normal world, but is unsettled by life and retreats into a dream world centred around her music box.
Clara is her other half, living in a dystopian world of beggars and poverty. She is given part of the broken music box, which will allow her to reach Claire's world.
A not entirely successful double book, but intriguing nevertheless.
Clara is her other half, living in a dystopian world of beggars and poverty. She is given part of the broken music box, which will allow her to reach Claire's world.
A not entirely successful double book, but intriguing nevertheless.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 26, 2014
I read this book on a recommendation from a friend. It was a bit hard to get into at first, but after the first 15-20 pages I was hooked. If you like dystopian novels you will probably enjoy this. The main character is coping with grief, and enters an alternate dream world, where her alter ego is also dealing with a loss. The book is very descriptive, pretty short, and once you get past the differences in language in the alternate world scenes, it is enjoyable.
November 20, 2016
"I am a dreamer too, and I must wake into a world of dreamers. You can feel it – can’t you? – the peeling off of me, another small loss you have to bear. We all bear it, as best we can, this infinite chain of miniature losses, a hundred thousand stories, a hundred thousand endings. A rehearsal you could call it, for the last ending that’s bound to come, eventually, somewhere in the white space between here and dreaming. "
December 26, 2016
Honestly maybe it's the cold in the room I read this but I didn't like it. I could follow Claire and Clara's stories but the only think that linked them (in my mind was that they apparently looked alike) I didn't understand the whole "traveling to each others worlds". I understood the importance of the music box (the broken and whole one) but idk. I feel like I just wanted to finish it and not leave it half read. I personally don't recommend it.
September 2, 2012
I didn't actually finish this it just wasnt the kinda book I found intresting but the way it's written is quite intresting and enjoyable to read . However after a while I just lost intrest and decided not to finish it because I really hate finishing a book just because I feel I have to. I still think that others might enjoy it it just wasnt my kinda book .
September 29, 2013
To be honest, I didn't even finish the book. It was that boring for me, there were parts of the book that were interesting, but then I found myself lost again. Being a person occasionally 'judges a book by it's cover', I found it disappointing :(
Although it was a short book, I thought I would fly though this book easily, but I struggled, with it's confusing and strange story line..
Although it was a short book, I thought I would fly though this book easily, but I struggled, with it's confusing and strange story line..
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