Poolhall Jail Library

by Loxton Berg

Maniacal, darkly humorous and shocking; Poolhall - Jail - Library is a turbulent ride.

A captivating true-life story, told through the eyes of mother and son, lifting the lid on what really happens in the suburbs.

Intertwining narratives contrast a murky web of family secrets against a spirited young adventurer determined to emerge from the shadows of childhood

This book will inspire you to pack a suitcase, set a charter for new horizons, and leave the haters and shackles of the past behind.

With a title derived from Jack Kerouac's seminal novel 'On The Road', this tale rests heavily on the theme that a third of life's lessons are learnt through unstructured play, a third through purgatory, and a third through choosing to educate ourselves.

This is not Neighbours.

This is not Home and Away.

This is real Australia, peeking out from behind the curtains of lounge rooms across the country.

388 pages, ebook

Published February 26, 2019

About the author

Loxton Berg is the pseudonym of an Australian journalist, adventurer and sports administrator.

Reviews

[Kate Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Raw and honest, this book doesn't shy away from inconvenient truths and their extensive repercussions. If you like a bit of fluff, this book is not for you. However, if you're looking for a book that challenges your emotions, combines grit with humour and details terrible injustices alongside exhilarating explorations, you won't be disappointed. Poolhall Jail Library sympathises with hopelessness and despair while encouraging perseverance and hope. It is not a book for victims. It's a book for survivors.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

While the term ‘raw’ sometimes gets overused to the point of cliche, Loxton’s journey and that of his family is told with an honest vulnerability that make it a more than fitting description. The bravery of the author in sharing his experiences battling with demons that are common in our community but rarely talked about publicly must be acknowledged. It was a privilege to take the journey alongside Loxton and I personally I appreciated the trip down memory lane to Brisbane in the 90s and Europe Contiki-style in the early 00s. I look forward to the next body of work!

[Emma Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book rocks along I must say. I enjoyed the time-warpyness, travelling through the UK in pre-mobile days and Loxton nailed that nuanced Brisbane thing that people from this weird little town have experienced.
It captured all that to a tee.
I lent it to my ex-boyfriend. See how he goes eh? :)

[Michael Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a book! Loved the format and was an ease to read, it was also very hard to put down. It put me on such an emotional ride that one minute you’ve got a little dust in your eyes to the next when you’re pis*ing yourself with laughter. Definitely worth a read, well done!

[Gil Marconi · Rating 5 out of 5]

It amazes me to, now, know what you have been through and then to see how much you have done and achieved in life thus far. Very well done pal!

[Paul Buchanan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book that brought back memories of living in housing commission houses as a kid coupled with my own traveling to Britain and France with a Sydney Uni Rugby League in the mid 80’s and then backpacking through North America. In both cases vivid memories were brought back of people, places and events through Loxton’s great writing. The cream always comes to the top, you did it as tough as anyone that I know but have risen above it and now give back.

[Diego Arellano · Rating 5 out of 5]

To put it simply….a great read! With great skill in telling his story, Loxton pretty much placed me in his shoes for the entire journey. I felt like I was on the tour bus in Europe and also rode all the emotions, high and low, growing up in suburban Brisbane. The book flows easily between chapters and I love the use of adjectives throughout the book. It literally puts you there with him. It is a mix between a brutal, courageous tale of living in Queensland and a travel guide to some remarkable places around Europe. Throw in a bit of romance along the way and you have a perfect mix. I read it mostly during my commute to & from work and I have to admit I was so engrossed I almost missed my stop a couple of times. The ending left me hanging for the sequel.

[Steve Mascord · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book absolutely gobsmacking, each page more incredible than the last. Rob - sorry, Loxton - holds nothing back and the only thing standing in the way of a movie is that the subject matter is just too disturbing for mainstream audiences. I recommend Poolhall Jail Library to absolute anyone ... over the age of 18.