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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 Patel, 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
Parks State High is a melting pot of misfits. There is Oliver Fish, the teen philosopher hiding a secret relationship; Dev Patel, 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
286 pages, Paperback
Published January 28, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 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 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.
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!
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.
April 5, 2026
4.5 stars.
Racing to read this book before the author event I’d booked a ticket for, I was mildly annoyed I’d picked the twist and ending.
After hearing the author speak of being raised Baháʼí and the story of ‘The seven valleys’, I realised what I had misjudged (riffing off Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night's Dream).
This Easter break I’ve finally made the time to sit down and read the book carefully. It’s a beautiful book. From the short, multi-character, non-linear segments, the elegance of the descriptions of the nature and the tenderly crafted characters.
The dialogue about 1990s music made me laugh aloud also.
A modern school yard story that would make an excellent stage 5 text in any Australian high school English program.
Racing to read this book before the author event I’d booked a ticket for, I was mildly annoyed I’d picked the twist and ending.
After hearing the author speak of being raised Baháʼí and the story of ‘The seven valleys’, I realised what I had misjudged (riffing off Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night's Dream).
This Easter break I’ve finally made the time to sit down and read the book carefully. It’s a beautiful book. From the short, multi-character, non-linear segments, the elegance of the descriptions of the nature and the tenderly crafted characters.
The dialogue about 1990s music made me laugh aloud also.
A modern school yard story that would make an excellent stage 5 text in any Australian high school English program.
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!
April 12, 2026
I highly recommend this book. Be sure to set aside some quiet time to let Sita Walker guide you through the lunch 'hour' at an Australian high school. The inciting incident draws in the reader into a web of characters' inner lives, cleverly weaving in their back stories. Pay attention to the interplay of students with students and teachers with teachers. Very relatable. And look out for a couple of twists.
The setting cleverly reflects the story mood, adding atmosphere that supports the plot.
I will be looking for this author's first novel.
The setting cleverly reflects the story mood, adding atmosphere that supports the plot.
I will be looking for this author's first novel.
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.
April 10, 2026
The most puke-in-your-mouth sappy ending ever. Had me for 3/4 hooked and keen to see how like 7 character’s stories could be tied up in that time. Spoiler!!! They’re tied up in the most uncreative and unsatisfying way ever…everyone gets what they want ❤️❤️❤️ fml !!!! Genuine waste of time reading this
May 2, 2026
Set over one hour (with flashbacks) in a school's lunchtime, this deals with a student prank and how it affects a group of students whose lives intertwine, and a few teachers, one in particular, Paul Bush.
The central premise - that the most important things that happen to students at school, happen at break times, rings true in this case.
There is humour, there is sadness, but throughout, I got the impression that the author has as much liking and sympathy for teachers as for students.
Fabulous read, if a bit on the scary side for this ex-teacher!
The central premise - that the most important things that happen to students at school, happen at break times, rings true in this case.
There is humour, there is sadness, but throughout, I got the impression that the author has as much liking and sympathy for teachers as for students.
Fabulous read, if a bit on the scary side for this ex-teacher!
March 25, 2026
4.5 ⭐
April 5, 2026
Cannot fault this book. Engaging narrative, clever language and characters to care about.
April 6, 2026
Went in with no expectations and really enjoyed this. I loved how so much of the story unfolded in the forest, reminded me of The Bee Sting.
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.
May 10, 2026
Walker's debut novel hit the mark for me! The main storyline takes place over one high school lunch break but there are lots of flashbacks from characters which give context to what is going on. Some of my teacher friends said they struggled to get through it as it "hit too close to home" (not just metaphorically but also physically as it's set in Brisbane) but I think that can only be a positive comment on the writing. It's well done in my opinion!
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.
April 27, 2026
This book was baffling, I really don’t understand what the objective of it was or the story it was trying to tell. Something incredibly Lynchian about it, which is absurd for a book that was seemingly intended to be grounded in a realistic school environment. Really odd
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.
April 15, 2026
This is a funny kind of book. It didn’t 100% work for me but I listened to a great interview with the author and really wanted to like it more.
The entire novel is set over one hour during a high school lunch break. There are flashbacks and multiple points of view – and in the end, I thought that the time constraint that lay over the novel didn’t really help it. There was too much jumping around in terms of time to really create the immediacy that the plot required.
Not everyone agrees with me though – this is the POV of one reviewer: “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.“ (https://cassmoriarty.com/in-a-common-...)
The setting is Parks State High School in Queensland. Several students feature including Oliver Fish - keen on philosophy, literature and poetry, the academically brilliant Maryam Fadel; and Cameron Cameron Ashby who shares a damning post about his English teacher in a public group chat. The teacher is Paul Bush, a teacher with a complicated past.
What the book does well is recreate the school setting. A reviewer quotes the writer as saying: ”There is a sense of vulnerability that comes with standing up in front of a class every day, she says, especially when you're dealing with issues outside of work.” (https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-0...)
The characters come across as authentic teenagers (Walker is a teacher as well as a writer) but I felt that the intertwined stories got a bit lost in the jumping around of perspective and time period.
The entire novel is set over one hour during a high school lunch break. There are flashbacks and multiple points of view – and in the end, I thought that the time constraint that lay over the novel didn’t really help it. There was too much jumping around in terms of time to really create the immediacy that the plot required.
Not everyone agrees with me though – this is the POV of one reviewer: “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.“ (https://cassmoriarty.com/in-a-common-...)
The setting is Parks State High School in Queensland. Several students feature including Oliver Fish - keen on philosophy, literature and poetry, the academically brilliant Maryam Fadel; and Cameron Cameron Ashby who shares a damning post about his English teacher in a public group chat. The teacher is Paul Bush, a teacher with a complicated past.
What the book does well is recreate the school setting. A reviewer quotes the writer as saying: ”There is a sense of vulnerability that comes with standing up in front of a class every day, she says, especially when you're dealing with issues outside of work.” (https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-0...)
The characters come across as authentic teenagers (Walker is a teacher as well as a writer) but I felt that the intertwined stories got a bit lost in the jumping around of perspective and time period.
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.
#Thumbsup
#booksdeevaareads #2026bookshelf #InaCommonHour
@UltimoPress #UltimoPress @mama_sita_1981 #SitaWalker
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.
#Thumbsup
#booksdeevaareads #2026bookshelf #InaCommonHour
@UltimoPress #UltimoPress @mama_sita_1981 #SitaWalker
April 26, 2026
Focusing on a single hour in a fictional Queensland school this novel really punches above its weight.
So many characters, histories, and ties between them but it is never confusing or convoluted.
Mostly focusing on Paul Bush, a beloved English teacher in his 50s, we start the novel in his classroom just before lunchtime. We are introduced to around eight students in the classroom and as we progress into lunchtime, also a few teachers and the school principal. It is during lunch that one of the students decides to take revenge on Mr Bush and terribly personal secrets are publicly displayed.
Although the book focuses on that hour, we do get flashbacks to better understand the characters and what is happening and it is through this process that we see all the layers and connections. I absolutely loved this style as it kept the book at pace but also kept me intrigued and wanting to keep going.
The characters are all excellently developed with their own unique voices and vices. It is easy to see that the author has worked in schools as I felt it captured that crazy teenage / teacher world so well.
The setting was also really well done, drawing on Shakespeare’a love of the forest to have the school back onto bush that becomes really its own character in the story.
I’m really not doing the book justice with this review, I just loved it and went back and re-read parts after I had finished just to really appreciate it even more. The only book I can think of that made me feel similarly over the last few years is The Names by Frances Knapp.
If you love character driven novels just go and read this! The audio is also excellently narrated.
So many characters, histories, and ties between them but it is never confusing or convoluted.
Mostly focusing on Paul Bush, a beloved English teacher in his 50s, we start the novel in his classroom just before lunchtime. We are introduced to around eight students in the classroom and as we progress into lunchtime, also a few teachers and the school principal. It is during lunch that one of the students decides to take revenge on Mr Bush and terribly personal secrets are publicly displayed.
Although the book focuses on that hour, we do get flashbacks to better understand the characters and what is happening and it is through this process that we see all the layers and connections. I absolutely loved this style as it kept the book at pace but also kept me intrigued and wanting to keep going.
The characters are all excellently developed with their own unique voices and vices. It is easy to see that the author has worked in schools as I felt it captured that crazy teenage / teacher world so well.
The setting was also really well done, drawing on Shakespeare’a love of the forest to have the school back onto bush that becomes really its own character in the story.
I’m really not doing the book justice with this review, I just loved it and went back and re-read parts after I had finished just to really appreciate it even more. The only book I can think of that made me feel similarly over the last few years is The Names by Frances Knapp.
If you love character driven novels just go and read this! The audio is also excellently narrated.
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