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In a Common Hour
Sometimes the most important lessons are learnt at lunchtime
Parks State High is a melting pot of misfits. There is Oliver Fish, the teen philosopher hiding a secret relationship; Dev Desai, hopelessly in love with the brilliant Maryam Fadel; and a staffroom thick with gossip, camaraderie and burnt-out teachers. At the centre of it all is well-loved teacher Paul Bush. But when a disgruntled student makes a devastating move – one lunchtime is all it takes for Bushie’s life to change forever.
With a cast of unforgettable characters, In a Common Hour is a smart, funny and wise novel that shows us all the ways we are connected.
PRAISE FOR IN A COMMON HOUR ‘In a Common Hour is a hope-filled masterpiece about contemporary high school classrooms and the people that inhabit them.’ – Gabbie Stroud,
author of Teacher and The Things that Matter Most‘I read this in a gulp. In a Common Hour marks the arrival of a major new talent. Sita Walker makes me fall in love with reading all over again.’ – Nikki Gemmell, author of Wing‘Walker’s novel is unputdownable. I was charmed, moved, and so sorry to close the covers.’ – Sharlene Allsopp, author of The Great Undoing‘The full emotional force of Walker’s well-plotted tale arrives in the final chapter, offering an ending that is empathetic to both students and teachers, and ultimately optimistic.’ – Books+Publishing
Parks State High is a melting pot of misfits. There is Oliver Fish, the teen philosopher hiding a secret relationship; Dev Desai, hopelessly in love with the brilliant Maryam Fadel; and a staffroom thick with gossip, camaraderie and burnt-out teachers. At the centre of it all is well-loved teacher Paul Bush. But when a disgruntled student makes a devastating move – one lunchtime is all it takes for Bushie’s life to change forever.
With a cast of unforgettable characters, In a Common Hour is a smart, funny and wise novel that shows us all the ways we are connected.
PRAISE FOR IN A COMMON HOUR ‘In a Common Hour is a hope-filled masterpiece about contemporary high school classrooms and the people that inhabit them.’ – Gabbie Stroud,
author of Teacher and The Things that Matter Most‘I read this in a gulp. In a Common Hour marks the arrival of a major new talent. Sita Walker makes me fall in love with reading all over again.’ – Nikki Gemmell, author of Wing‘Walker’s novel is unputdownable. I was charmed, moved, and so sorry to close the covers.’ – Sharlene Allsopp, author of The Great Undoing‘The full emotional force of Walker’s well-plotted tale arrives in the final chapter, offering an ending that is empathetic to both students and teachers, and ultimately optimistic.’ – Books+Publishing
250 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 28, 2026
128 people are currently reading
1338 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
March 6, 2026
This short novel is easily one of the best books I've read this year. It takes place over one hour, during lunchtime, at a large fictional high school in Queensland. There is a broad cast of characters whose stories all intersect, but it mostly revolves around 55yo English teacher Paul Bush. Paul lives with his very controlling wife, Ramona, but is in love with Parks' principal, Freedom Cook.
In his year 12 class are friends Oliver, Dev, Santo and Turtleneck, as well as Oliver's bogan neighbour Zoe. Dev is in love with Maryam, daughter of Afghan refugees. Also in their class is entitled shithead Cameron Ashby, whose only 'friend' is the huge, slow and very sweet bird-loving Solomon.
Over the course of an hour, these characters will converge in new and drastic ways as Cameron unleashes a secret about his teacher onto the school-wide chat, and delusions come crashing down.
First off, this is excellent writing. It flows so well, constructs a setting that you can see, smell, and hear, and sweeps you along to an impressive ending. Sita Walker uses birds to ehance the sense of place, and I'm sure there's deeper meaning there but my head is still in the plot and the characters - I need to discuss tgus with my colleagues! (Yes I did totally take this photo in my classroom; like Sita I'm an English teacher and I'm in awe of her skill.)
The characters all ring true, their dialogue feels natural, and these glimpses provide ample information that works to create solid people. Several flashbacks throughout the story fill in the gaps, and made me care deeply for these people. Ugh, even Cameron, I actually felt sorry for.
I can't praise this enough, and my words are certainly not doing it justice. Read it!
In his year 12 class are friends Oliver, Dev, Santo and Turtleneck, as well as Oliver's bogan neighbour Zoe. Dev is in love with Maryam, daughter of Afghan refugees. Also in their class is entitled shithead Cameron Ashby, whose only 'friend' is the huge, slow and very sweet bird-loving Solomon.
Over the course of an hour, these characters will converge in new and drastic ways as Cameron unleashes a secret about his teacher onto the school-wide chat, and delusions come crashing down.
First off, this is excellent writing. It flows so well, constructs a setting that you can see, smell, and hear, and sweeps you along to an impressive ending. Sita Walker uses birds to ehance the sense of place, and I'm sure there's deeper meaning there but my head is still in the plot and the characters - I need to discuss tgus with my colleagues! (Yes I did totally take this photo in my classroom; like Sita I'm an English teacher and I'm in awe of her skill.)
The characters all ring true, their dialogue feels natural, and these glimpses provide ample information that works to create solid people. Several flashbacks throughout the story fill in the gaps, and made me care deeply for these people. Ugh, even Cameron, I actually felt sorry for.
I can't praise this enough, and my words are certainly not doing it justice. Read it!
February 4, 2026
I loved this book and could not put it down!
Its construction (centred on a single lunch hour in a high school) is inventive and perfectly executed. The story grips you from the very beginning and carries its momentum right through to the end.
The writing is vivid and assured, bringing the Brisbane landscape to life while quietly weaving together nature, place, and human connection.
Like a Mondrian painting, each chapter offers a different shape and colour (warm or cold, bright or dark) yet the steady line of the plot connects them all with ease and balance.
There is so much to admire beyond the novel’s structure! The voice is intimate and generous, and the humanity in the writing comes through with clarity and depth.
This is a deeply lived-in, caring book that will stay with me long after the final page.
Its construction (centred on a single lunch hour in a high school) is inventive and perfectly executed. The story grips you from the very beginning and carries its momentum right through to the end.
The writing is vivid and assured, bringing the Brisbane landscape to life while quietly weaving together nature, place, and human connection.
Like a Mondrian painting, each chapter offers a different shape and colour (warm or cold, bright or dark) yet the steady line of the plot connects them all with ease and balance.
There is so much to admire beyond the novel’s structure! The voice is intimate and generous, and the humanity in the writing comes through with clarity and depth.
This is a deeply lived-in, caring book that will stay with me long after the final page.
February 26, 2026
In a Common Hour isn’t the kind of book I would usually pick up, but I’m glad I stepped into it.
The writing style is distinctive, layered. What stood out most to me was the vivid imagery of the forest and its surrounding landscape. I tend to sink into descriptive writing, building the world carefully in my mind and walking through it alongside the characters, and Sita makes that an easy accomplishment. The natural setting isn’t just background; it feels woven into the emotional architecture of the story.
The narrative itself is complex and, at times, confounding. While I was generally able to follow the progression, particularly the quiet emergence of mental health themes before they were openly named, there were moments where I struggled with what the author was ultimately trying to say. The way Sita demonstrated the maturation of the student characters was compelling. I appreciated how the story traced the subtle cause and effect of lived experience, how one moment can ripple outward, shaping identity, behaviour, and consequence. Those “sliding doors” instances, decisions or events that alter the course of a life.
Near the end, however, I found myself losing clarity. Solomon’s experiences with the black kite, for example, left me questioning their symbolism and purpose. Were they metaphorical? Psychological? Spiritual? I suspect there’s depth there that I haven’t fully unpacked, and this may well be a book that rewards a second reading.
Ultimately, I enjoyed the journey more than I felt I mastered it. It’s a reflective, atmospheric novel that asks the reader to sit with ambiguity and implication rather than offering neat resolution. And it’s a quiet reminder that an extraordinary amount can unfold in a single hour, enough to alter the trajectory of life.
Rate: 3.75
The writing style is distinctive, layered. What stood out most to me was the vivid imagery of the forest and its surrounding landscape. I tend to sink into descriptive writing, building the world carefully in my mind and walking through it alongside the characters, and Sita makes that an easy accomplishment. The natural setting isn’t just background; it feels woven into the emotional architecture of the story.
The narrative itself is complex and, at times, confounding. While I was generally able to follow the progression, particularly the quiet emergence of mental health themes before they were openly named, there were moments where I struggled with what the author was ultimately trying to say. The way Sita demonstrated the maturation of the student characters was compelling. I appreciated how the story traced the subtle cause and effect of lived experience, how one moment can ripple outward, shaping identity, behaviour, and consequence. Those “sliding doors” instances, decisions or events that alter the course of a life.
Near the end, however, I found myself losing clarity. Solomon’s experiences with the black kite, for example, left me questioning their symbolism and purpose. Were they metaphorical? Psychological? Spiritual? I suspect there’s depth there that I haven’t fully unpacked, and this may well be a book that rewards a second reading.
Ultimately, I enjoyed the journey more than I felt I mastered it. It’s a reflective, atmospheric novel that asks the reader to sit with ambiguity and implication rather than offering neat resolution. And it’s a quiet reminder that an extraordinary amount can unfold in a single hour, enough to alter the trajectory of life.
Rate: 3.75
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 5, 2026
Sita Walker has done it again. I couldn’t put this one down. She has captured the voice of more than one generation with characters that will stay with you long after you finish the last page.
A recommendation for anyone, but especially Mums of teenage boys and State High School teachers. We’ve all been in that staffroom!
A recommendation for anyone, but especially Mums of teenage boys and State High School teachers. We’ve all been in that staffroom!
February 8, 2026
3 and a half. I really wanted to like this book. Was it too ambitious? So many characters, so many flashbacks, so many side stories yet so many connections. I actually had to go back and scan the beginning after I finished to put it together. A clever idea, so much potential but maybe not executed so well?? Feeling conflicted with this one.
March 7, 2026
Reviewing In a Common Hour by Sita Walker feels a bit like marking a student’s essay where you’ve written, “Excellent concept- thoughtful and original!” at the top… and then, a few paragraphs later, gently added, “Execution needs development.”
I liked this book in almost equal measure to how much I didn’t, which, honestly, is an impressive balancing act. So instead of pretending I’ve landed neatly on one side of the fence, I’m going to lay out the highs and lows and let you decide whether you want to read the book.
Things I liked:
The concept. Genuinely original and ambitious. The the kind that makes you think, ooh, this could be something special.
The school setting. As someone who works in education, I could tell immediately the author had lived it. The atmosphere of an Australian school felt authentic; the staffroom politics, the subtle hierarchies, the speed at which whispers become full-blown narratives.
The Australian-isms. The eucalyptus trees. The birds. The tone. The roll-ups and Iced VoVos. It felt unapologetically, quintessentially Aussie in a way I really appreciated.
The symbolism. At times, the writing felt cleverly worded.
The blurring of professional and personal life and how quickly that can unravel in a school setting. That part? Very well observed.
Things I didn’t like:
The execution didn’t quite match the ambition of the concept. The narrative jumped around so much that I struggled to connect deeply with any one character.
The pacing felt off. Yes, a lot can happen in an hour at school (believe me, I know), but some of those ten-minute blocks stretched believability.
There were too many side characters. Everyone got a moment, but no one got enough depth to fully anchor the story.
The ending, and particularly the storyline between Paul and Freedom — tipped into territory that felt unrealistic and slightly inaccessible for me as a reader.
I closed the book and felt… oddly neutral. No emotional hangover. No lingering ache. Just a quiet “okay then.”
So ultimately?
Three mediocre stars ⭐⭐⭐
Strong concept. Solid effort. Execution could use refinement.
I liked this book in almost equal measure to how much I didn’t, which, honestly, is an impressive balancing act. So instead of pretending I’ve landed neatly on one side of the fence, I’m going to lay out the highs and lows and let you decide whether you want to read the book.
Things I liked:
The concept. Genuinely original and ambitious. The the kind that makes you think, ooh, this could be something special.
The school setting. As someone who works in education, I could tell immediately the author had lived it. The atmosphere of an Australian school felt authentic; the staffroom politics, the subtle hierarchies, the speed at which whispers become full-blown narratives.
The Australian-isms. The eucalyptus trees. The birds. The tone. The roll-ups and Iced VoVos. It felt unapologetically, quintessentially Aussie in a way I really appreciated.
The symbolism. At times, the writing felt cleverly worded.
The blurring of professional and personal life and how quickly that can unravel in a school setting. That part? Very well observed.
Things I didn’t like:
The execution didn’t quite match the ambition of the concept. The narrative jumped around so much that I struggled to connect deeply with any one character.
The pacing felt off. Yes, a lot can happen in an hour at school (believe me, I know), but some of those ten-minute blocks stretched believability.
There were too many side characters. Everyone got a moment, but no one got enough depth to fully anchor the story.
The ending, and particularly the storyline between Paul and Freedom — tipped into territory that felt unrealistic and slightly inaccessible for me as a reader.
I closed the book and felt… oddly neutral. No emotional hangover. No lingering ache. Just a quiet “okay then.”
So ultimately?
Three mediocre stars ⭐⭐⭐
Strong concept. Solid effort. Execution could use refinement.
February 15, 2026
3 1/2 stars. I liked the business and packed plot and learning how all the seemingly separate stories eventually collided. Quite an abstract ending.
February 3, 2026
In a Common Hour by Sita Walker is a must-read that had me hooked from the very first-page. As a reader, it was so refreshing to see such an original concept - having the events of the novel play out across a single lunch hour. It’s hard not to fall in love with a novel written as beautifully as this one. In a Common Hour is everything you want from a book and more - from the relatability of a high school environment to truly immersive imagery that transports you to the lives of each character. I absolutely loved this book and would recommend it to all.
March 15, 2026
Five brilliant resplendent stars!
February 14, 2026
I absolutely loved this book. Such a beautiful story with so many intertwined characters. Deep insights to high school playgrounds and teenagers. I'd love to see this adapted to a movie. The narrative is meticulously crafted. I think I could easily reread this book.
March 1, 2026
3.5 rounded up
There is a lot of interest in this novel, which boasts the fact that it is set over one lunch hour in a high school in Australia. A clever structure. In fact the book has a number of flashbacks to earlier and more recent events which have had significant impact on the key characters and their relationships. These add to and help to explain the events and the resolution.
There is a lot to like here and if you are a teacher, know any teachers, there is a lot to relate to. It was an easy and enjoyable read but I wonder if there was too much going on, meaning there was perhaps a superficiality to the discussion of very significant social issues. Well worth a read.
There is a lot of interest in this novel, which boasts the fact that it is set over one lunch hour in a high school in Australia. A clever structure. In fact the book has a number of flashbacks to earlier and more recent events which have had significant impact on the key characters and their relationships. These add to and help to explain the events and the resolution.
There is a lot to like here and if you are a teacher, know any teachers, there is a lot to relate to. It was an easy and enjoyable read but I wonder if there was too much going on, meaning there was perhaps a superficiality to the discussion of very significant social issues. Well worth a read.
March 25, 2026
4.5 ⭐
March 14, 2026
All the action ostensibly occures with a one hour school lunch break (with some flashbacks for context). I generally like novels structured like this, and was pleased that although this is a fairly short page count and even though there were a lot of characters, they were reasonably defined and distinct. An entertaining contemporary Australian tale.
Read
March 24, 2026A lot can happen in a lunch break - loved the concept. Perhaps too many characters? Unsure of the ending.
March 22, 2026
I liked this! Bit of a Trent Dalton vibe but less airy fairy. Loved the nature and bird descriptions.
February 1, 2026
The characters in this book are parts of us all, and Sita Walker gives voice to them in a way that feels healing. A must-read.
February 21, 2026
I opened this book and could not put it down. IN A COMMON HOUR (Ultimo Press 2026) by Sita Walker is a remarkable novel that immediately connects readers to characters and setting, and explores themes of coming of age, education, class, racism, mental health, ambition, desire, love, friendship and loyalty. It features flawed people with broken hearts and broken dreams, kind people who will do whatever it takes to save their friends, lost people who become found, and malignant memories that are finally put to rest.
The entire novel is set over one hour during a high school lunch break. (Yes! One hour!) The skill of the author in developing the narrative and characters to the extent that she can sustain tension and pace over only an hour is extraordinary. Of course, there are flashbacks and backstory, but the pivotal plot takes place almost in one scene.
The setting is Parks State High School and as readers we are given the perspectives of several characters. Oliver Fish is literally a fish out of water – keen on philosophy, literature and poetry, he hides a secret relationship. Conservative and religious Maryam Fadel is academically brilliant and seemingly unaware that Dev Patel is obsessed with her; as ‘in love’ as a teenage boy can be. The other characters such as Freedom, Zoe, Solomon, Cameron and Warren – just to name a few – are all richly layered and unforgettable, an insightfully observed cast, each with their own backstory, ambitions and conundrums.
All these characters revolve around the central figure in the story, Paul Bush, a teacher with a complicated past who gets caught up in a student prank that might finally shock him into reality. Can’t say much without spoilers but the development of Paul Bush and his history is crafted with expert care.
Themes include parenting and motherhood, the development of our personalities and what shapes our dreams, the shackles and joys of raising children, the unrelenting slog of being a teacher (especially a good teacher), adolescent coming-of-age issues, religious parameters, and the smarts of young people (both in tech-savvy ways and also emotional capacity).
The wonderful aspect of this novel is the structure. While the main narrative takes place over one hour, intermittent chapters take the reader back to 45 years ago, then the previous week, five years ago, 17 years ago, 10 years ago, eight years ago, two years ago, 12 years ago, 13 years ago and the previous night. Each section adds an interesting perspective on a particular character and shines a light on why they are where they are in their life right now.
I loved the white space in this book. The author allows the reader plenty of latitude to think around the events and themes themselves. She hints at incidents or refers to them in an offhand or shorthand manner, so that the reader must do some work to put the pieces of the puzzle together. There are some quiet but beautiful revelations towards the end, and a harmonious circular detail that brings the resolution to its surprising but inevitable conclusion.
Walker writes teenage characters with skill and authenticity but also demonstrates the state of adult characters’ lives because of what has come before.
IN A COMMON HOUR is funny, wise, poignant, tender, surprising, clever and thought-provoking. It will break your heart then reinstate your belief in people’s intrinsic goodness.
The entire novel is set over one hour during a high school lunch break. (Yes! One hour!) The skill of the author in developing the narrative and characters to the extent that she can sustain tension and pace over only an hour is extraordinary. Of course, there are flashbacks and backstory, but the pivotal plot takes place almost in one scene.
The setting is Parks State High School and as readers we are given the perspectives of several characters. Oliver Fish is literally a fish out of water – keen on philosophy, literature and poetry, he hides a secret relationship. Conservative and religious Maryam Fadel is academically brilliant and seemingly unaware that Dev Patel is obsessed with her; as ‘in love’ as a teenage boy can be. The other characters such as Freedom, Zoe, Solomon, Cameron and Warren – just to name a few – are all richly layered and unforgettable, an insightfully observed cast, each with their own backstory, ambitions and conundrums.
All these characters revolve around the central figure in the story, Paul Bush, a teacher with a complicated past who gets caught up in a student prank that might finally shock him into reality. Can’t say much without spoilers but the development of Paul Bush and his history is crafted with expert care.
Themes include parenting and motherhood, the development of our personalities and what shapes our dreams, the shackles and joys of raising children, the unrelenting slog of being a teacher (especially a good teacher), adolescent coming-of-age issues, religious parameters, and the smarts of young people (both in tech-savvy ways and also emotional capacity).
The wonderful aspect of this novel is the structure. While the main narrative takes place over one hour, intermittent chapters take the reader back to 45 years ago, then the previous week, five years ago, 17 years ago, 10 years ago, eight years ago, two years ago, 12 years ago, 13 years ago and the previous night. Each section adds an interesting perspective on a particular character and shines a light on why they are where they are in their life right now.
I loved the white space in this book. The author allows the reader plenty of latitude to think around the events and themes themselves. She hints at incidents or refers to them in an offhand or shorthand manner, so that the reader must do some work to put the pieces of the puzzle together. There are some quiet but beautiful revelations towards the end, and a harmonious circular detail that brings the resolution to its surprising but inevitable conclusion.
Walker writes teenage characters with skill and authenticity but also demonstrates the state of adult characters’ lives because of what has come before.
IN A COMMON HOUR is funny, wise, poignant, tender, surprising, clever and thought-provoking. It will break your heart then reinstate your belief in people’s intrinsic goodness.
March 8, 2026
I went into this book with a certain idea of what it would be about, and the concept of the story unfolding over a single school lunchtime immediately intrigued me. However, it turned out to be very different from what I was expecting.
Contrary to some other opinions I’ve seen, I actually liked the format in which it was written. Despite the timeline jumps and flashbacks, I found it fairly easy to follow and felt quite connected to many of the numerous characters. Zoe and Oliver and Dev and Maryam's storylines were probably my favourite.
For anyone familiar with the inspiration behind the setting, the high school is clearly based on Mansfield SHS, and I really enjoyed the realism of the school environment and teenage activities. Some of the teachers, particularly Sue, had moments that genuinely made me laugh out loud.
The book really needs a trigger warning list. It deals with many heavy themes including mental health struggles, child abuse, death and harm to animals, domestic abuse, teen pregnancy, sexual content, kink and kink-shaming, and portrayals of disability. I think readers would benefit from having this information upfront so they can decide whether they want to engage with those topics.
I also found the language choices a bit inconsistent. At times the vocabulary is extremely dense and elevated, which may put off the average reader. At other moments the writing feels more conversational, with frequent use of “and” and constructions that an English teacher might usually encourage students to edit.
The repeated descriptions of food or the forest started to feel somewhat repetitive by the end of the story. The forest descriptions seemed to function as a transitional device at the end of chapters, but they probably could have been reduced. Similarly, some character backstory—such as the IT staff member we never see again—felt unnecessary and could likely have been cut.
The resolution of the main storyline, particularly Paul’s, felt ambiguous and somewhat incomplete. Cameron’s story also seemed unresolved, and honestly I finished the book feeling concerned about his mental health.
And one final question: is anyone else concerned that the kids apparently went back to class soaking wet for the final lesson of the day?
Overall, I have mixed feelings about this book. There were definitely elements I enjoyed, particularly the structure, and some of the character storylines, but there were also aspects that didn’t quite work for me. That said, I do think it would make for a great staffroom discussion topic because there is a lot to unpack in terms of themes, character choices, and the issues it raises.
Contrary to some other opinions I’ve seen, I actually liked the format in which it was written. Despite the timeline jumps and flashbacks, I found it fairly easy to follow and felt quite connected to many of the numerous characters. Zoe and Oliver and Dev and Maryam's storylines were probably my favourite.
For anyone familiar with the inspiration behind the setting, the high school is clearly based on Mansfield SHS, and I really enjoyed the realism of the school environment and teenage activities. Some of the teachers, particularly Sue, had moments that genuinely made me laugh out loud.
The book really needs a trigger warning list. It deals with many heavy themes including mental health struggles, child abuse, death and harm to animals, domestic abuse, teen pregnancy, sexual content, kink and kink-shaming, and portrayals of disability. I think readers would benefit from having this information upfront so they can decide whether they want to engage with those topics.
I also found the language choices a bit inconsistent. At times the vocabulary is extremely dense and elevated, which may put off the average reader. At other moments the writing feels more conversational, with frequent use of “and” and constructions that an English teacher might usually encourage students to edit.
The repeated descriptions of food or the forest started to feel somewhat repetitive by the end of the story. The forest descriptions seemed to function as a transitional device at the end of chapters, but they probably could have been reduced. Similarly, some character backstory—such as the IT staff member we never see again—felt unnecessary and could likely have been cut.
The resolution of the main storyline, particularly Paul’s, felt ambiguous and somewhat incomplete. Cameron’s story also seemed unresolved, and honestly I finished the book feeling concerned about his mental health.
And one final question: is anyone else concerned that the kids apparently went back to class soaking wet for the final lesson of the day?
Overall, I have mixed feelings about this book. There were definitely elements I enjoyed, particularly the structure, and some of the character storylines, but there were also aspects that didn’t quite work for me. That said, I do think it would make for a great staffroom discussion topic because there is a lot to unpack in terms of themes, character choices, and the issues it raises.
March 15, 2026
In a one hour high school lunch break, you'd think that nothing much happens - but in this lunch break the world changes or at least shifts for the main characters in this book.
In a Common Hour, the narrative starts with a prologue - the senior english class just before the titular lunch hour. Here we meet most of our main characters - six boys, 1 girl, 1 man; and learn a little of their individual character. We meet the others later in the story. The bell rings, the students leave forming into groups or pairs as they head to their ultimate lunchtime destinations, and the teacher, Paul heads back to the staffroom.
The hour of lunch is divided into parts representing either 10 or 15min blocks of time in which we see what each of our individuals, pairs, or groups are doing/thinking at the time. Much of this action takes place in a forested area, known as the Oaks. Its a 'wild' place, a place to sit, talk, smoke unmolested. These kids are not the sporty types, this is a sporty school. These kids are the 'others', the creatives, the nerds, the academics, and other.
Sita Walker, the author gives us flashbacks for most in the form of short chapters describing what was happening to them individually at specific points of time in their history. Its important to pay attention to these as we realise some of our characters are more connected than simply being staff/students of the same school.
Despite the small timeframe, the story does have the classic narrative format. I found myself having 'all the feels' for our characters, especially the kids - cheering some one when they found their feet and a sense of purpose after the crisis stage, feeling sad for them when some of their past is revealed, conflicted when some of their connections are revealed.
I sometimes read a book like I am thirsty for water, and its true this time I gulped this book down. It was cleverly written and tightly edited, but I found myself going back for additional sips, re-reading random chapters to get a better understanding. I felt invested in our characters and while the main drama has been resolved, really wanted to know 'what happens next' for some of them. To me that's often the sign of a good book.
In a Common Hour, the narrative starts with a prologue - the senior english class just before the titular lunch hour. Here we meet most of our main characters - six boys, 1 girl, 1 man; and learn a little of their individual character. We meet the others later in the story. The bell rings, the students leave forming into groups or pairs as they head to their ultimate lunchtime destinations, and the teacher, Paul heads back to the staffroom.
The hour of lunch is divided into parts representing either 10 or 15min blocks of time in which we see what each of our individuals, pairs, or groups are doing/thinking at the time. Much of this action takes place in a forested area, known as the Oaks. Its a 'wild' place, a place to sit, talk, smoke unmolested. These kids are not the sporty types, this is a sporty school. These kids are the 'others', the creatives, the nerds, the academics, and other.
Sita Walker, the author gives us flashbacks for most in the form of short chapters describing what was happening to them individually at specific points of time in their history. Its important to pay attention to these as we realise some of our characters are more connected than simply being staff/students of the same school.
Despite the small timeframe, the story does have the classic narrative format. I found myself having 'all the feels' for our characters, especially the kids - cheering some one when they found their feet and a sense of purpose after the crisis stage, feeling sad for them when some of their past is revealed, conflicted when some of their connections are revealed.
I sometimes read a book like I am thirsty for water, and its true this time I gulped this book down. It was cleverly written and tightly edited, but I found myself going back for additional sips, re-reading random chapters to get a better understanding. I felt invested in our characters and while the main drama has been resolved, really wanted to know 'what happens next' for some of them. To me that's often the sign of a good book.
February 4, 2026
In a Common Hour by Sita Walker
I can't remember who recommended this one to me. Usually, I note who recommended it so I can thank or curse them in my review. Let me know if it was you. I'm not cursing anyone this time.
Set at Parks State High, context clues tell me it's an Australian High School, but I couldn't pin it down to a state. It felt a little like the TV show Sex Education, which is filmed to make it feel like it could possibly be anywhere. The parallels are there—like how rumours spread through the school from the staffroom to the student body, and how the community comes together to support its own. It really captures the essence of school life, and the school and the bushland that surround it almost become characters in their own right.
"Sometimes the most important lessons are learnt at lunchtime"
The story is broken down into chapters that each represent a ten-minute slice of the lunch hour, narrated from the perspectives of both students and teachers. It all feels familiar and truthful, even though I've been out of high school for longer than I want to remember. The author, Sita Walker, spent 20 years as a high school literature teacher, so the narrative has a sense of authenticity, and she nails the complex tapestry of contemporary high school life; it feels optimistic and full of human connection.
In a Common Hour by Sita Walker is out now if you want to grab a copy. I can't think of any other book that's truly similar to this one.
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I can't remember who recommended this one to me. Usually, I note who recommended it so I can thank or curse them in my review. Let me know if it was you. I'm not cursing anyone this time.
Set at Parks State High, context clues tell me it's an Australian High School, but I couldn't pin it down to a state. It felt a little like the TV show Sex Education, which is filmed to make it feel like it could possibly be anywhere. The parallels are there—like how rumours spread through the school from the staffroom to the student body, and how the community comes together to support its own. It really captures the essence of school life, and the school and the bushland that surround it almost become characters in their own right.
"Sometimes the most important lessons are learnt at lunchtime"
The story is broken down into chapters that each represent a ten-minute slice of the lunch hour, narrated from the perspectives of both students and teachers. It all feels familiar and truthful, even though I've been out of high school for longer than I want to remember. The author, Sita Walker, spent 20 years as a high school literature teacher, so the narrative has a sense of authenticity, and she nails the complex tapestry of contemporary high school life; it feels optimistic and full of human connection.
In a Common Hour by Sita Walker is out now if you want to grab a copy. I can't think of any other book that's truly similar to this one.
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#booksdeevaareads #2026bookshelf #InaCommonHour
@UltimoPress #UltimoPress @mama_sita_1981 #SitaWalker
March 13, 2026
This book, written by a Qld teacher, is set in a school and takes place over one lunch hour, except for an annoying number of flashbacks for some of the characters. There is an array of well delineated students and also a couple of key teachers who are involved, and the story takes off when a (largely popular) English teacher appears to ramble and lose the thread during one of his classes, and we are forewarned that one student in particular has something on him, and that the teacher is harbouring secrets in relation to his departure from an earlier school. So far, so good.
But then the book for me lost steam, with the reader learning a lot more about each of the many students and who they were friendly with or at odds with, and what their background was, and without much happening to further the opening tease. Eventually, the action resumes, with one student posting a damning photo of the teacher to the whole school chat group, and he and other groups of students all (illegally and separately) outside the school grounds in the adjoining bush area during their lunch break. There are a number of sub-plots involving a crying baby doll (being used to teach responsibility), a pregnancy, bullying and trauma, and a past romance between the male teacher and his female principal. But I found it hard to keep a focus on all the different characters and was eager to get back to the main mystery.
Eventually Walker does I think pull off a satisfying concluding section even if much of the action and developments piled together in this book have some credibility holes.
But then the book for me lost steam, with the reader learning a lot more about each of the many students and who they were friendly with or at odds with, and what their background was, and without much happening to further the opening tease. Eventually, the action resumes, with one student posting a damning photo of the teacher to the whole school chat group, and he and other groups of students all (illegally and separately) outside the school grounds in the adjoining bush area during their lunch break. There are a number of sub-plots involving a crying baby doll (being used to teach responsibility), a pregnancy, bullying and trauma, and a past romance between the male teacher and his female principal. But I found it hard to keep a focus on all the different characters and was eager to get back to the main mystery.
Eventually Walker does I think pull off a satisfying concluding section even if much of the action and developments piled together in this book have some credibility holes.
February 6, 2026
Unexpected
I purchased this after reading an ABC news review. Set during a highschool lunch hour, I expected something more cynical, perhaps a critique of some kind, exposing or lamenting the state of today's education or kids or school bureaucracy...
What I got, however, was a gentle (particularly surprising in the light of significant, heavy subject matter) delightful tale which showed genuine care, friendships and different aspects of love. Although the author says she based her characters on archetypes, they are no cardboard-cutouts, but complex and solid. I remember reading somewhere that amidst post-modern irony and cynicism, sincerity in writing might now be seen as rebellious. If that's the case, this is a rebellious text. It doesn't seek to expose or pull down, but to construct and mend. The writing made me feel an emotional investment in all characters - even Cameron.
I was left with questions and I was left wanting more.
I purchased this after reading an ABC news review. Set during a highschool lunch hour, I expected something more cynical, perhaps a critique of some kind, exposing or lamenting the state of today's education or kids or school bureaucracy...
What I got, however, was a gentle (particularly surprising in the light of significant, heavy subject matter) delightful tale which showed genuine care, friendships and different aspects of love. Although the author says she based her characters on archetypes, they are no cardboard-cutouts, but complex and solid. I remember reading somewhere that amidst post-modern irony and cynicism, sincerity in writing might now be seen as rebellious. If that's the case, this is a rebellious text. It doesn't seek to expose or pull down, but to construct and mend. The writing made me feel an emotional investment in all characters - even Cameron.
I was left with questions and I was left wanting more.
March 6, 2026
It’s rare that I pick up a book that makes me ignore my daily responsibilities but this one did it for me. I binged it. So engaging, funny, deep, lyrical, sad, and ultimately, wholesome. I recognised most characters — possibly as an ex-teacher myself I could relate to most of them — and as frustrating as they can be, weren’t we all in our own way quirky unique little shits ourselves as school? Expert foreshadowing pace and drip-feeding of clues by the author: hurrah for the nail-biting pace without being too dramatic and heavy. Deeply sad for Paul’s life as a child. Did I miss what happened to Warren? This book will live on my small selective bookshelf for a long time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 3, 2026
An extremely well written book about the lives of a group of students and staff in a Queensland school that have been entwined and impacted on each other's lives. It occurs during a hour hour period within the school day but the story spans decades.
The way this story handles social media, mental health and cultural pressures is so very Australian and honestly such a snapshot of what Co-ed Australian schools can be like. You don't have to be a teacher to enjoy it, but as a teacher, I really enjoyed this story.
The way this story handles social media, mental health and cultural pressures is so very Australian and honestly such a snapshot of what Co-ed Australian schools can be like. You don't have to be a teacher to enjoy it, but as a teacher, I really enjoyed this story.
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February 17, 2026The forest was my favourite character in this book, the way it gently soothed and nurtured both staff and students from the school next door. Beautiful, mystical descriptions of its leafy wet goodness. Adjacent is Park High where English teacher Paul Bush is not behaving quite right. We learn of his history and connections with staff and students as well as connections between them - a network of feelings that drives their actions when everything comes to a head on lunch time. A unique and uplifting read.
February 23, 2026
There was so much going on in this short novel and in a one hour plot time. There were two many narrative threads each one worthy of greater attention. There was a small but complex cast of characters. I wanted to know and understand them all but their stories seem compressed and rushed. There was a lot description of nature woven and connected with the human stories . But I skipped over the evocatively written descriptive pieces there was too much else to absorb. I felt there were five possible novels compressed into one here . I think sometimes “less is more”
February 24, 2026
I utterly adored this book. If I’m being honest with myself I don’t read a lot of books during the school term, the days a full and chaotic and in the evening I default to tv while usually doing some other chore at the same time. But this book was different, I carved out as many pockets as possible to read it in a few days - I found myself thinking of the characters and was genuinely invested in their lives. It was beautiful and sad and uplifting and dark and funny. Well done Sita Walker- you have mastered the art of storytelling, which to me if one of the greatest talents to have.
March 16, 2026
This clever and wise story takes place over the course of an hour, at a fictional Queensland School - Parks State High.
There is a wide cast of characters, including students and teachers. I found the various characters to be authentic, with believable dialogue.
I enjoyed how this story explores how we are often connected in unexpected ways.
I loved this audiobook, which is brilliantly narrated by Sonya Kerr.
There is a wide cast of characters, including students and teachers. I found the various characters to be authentic, with believable dialogue.
I enjoyed how this story explores how we are often connected in unexpected ways.
I loved this audiobook, which is brilliantly narrated by Sonya Kerr.
February 19, 2026
Adored this innovative & fresh contemporary literary fiction. Clever highschool setting, with beautifully crafted teenage and teacher characters. It was artful, referenced the big arcs of classic storytelling. I can totally see this as a movie with drone camerawork weaving through the bushland setting and back to the school environment. Bravo Sita Walker !
February 20, 2026
Oh what an amazingly crafted story!
So many characters whose stories are so beautifully intertwined, add a good dose of madness and you have the most amazing, in-put-down-able story I have read in a long time.
Brilliant, beautiful, sad, epic story that unfurls over the span of an hour.
Sita Walker you are a brilliant writer and truely gifted at your craft!
So many characters whose stories are so beautifully intertwined, add a good dose of madness and you have the most amazing, in-put-down-able story I have read in a long time.
Brilliant, beautiful, sad, epic story that unfurls over the span of an hour.
Sita Walker you are a brilliant writer and truely gifted at your craft!
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