What do you think?
Rate this book
What the Boy Hears When the Girl Dreams
Twelve-year-old Finn wakes up one day with super-hearing. It gives him ‘dancing eyes’ and fainting spells, makes him the target of the school bully, and opens a window onto his parents’ failing marriage. At night he hears the dream-talk of Buseje, an asylum seeker who lives downstairs in the granny flat.
Finn begins to retrieve the fragmented stories which spill out while Buseje sleeps, helping her untangle the terrible mysteries of her childhood. But as Finn’s superpowers grow, he unwittingly unleashes ghosts from the past.
As the immigration officers close in on Buseje, can Finn do anything to prevent her from being deported?
Set against the political backdrop of the race riots in Sydney in 2005, What the Boy Hears When the Girl Dreams is a poignant insight into the silences and injustices that divide us, and the healing power of unlikely friendships.
Finn begins to retrieve the fragmented stories which spill out while Buseje sleeps, helping her untangle the terrible mysteries of her childhood. But as Finn’s superpowers grow, he unwittingly unleashes ghosts from the past.
As the immigration officers close in on Buseje, can Finn do anything to prevent her from being deported?
Set against the political backdrop of the race riots in Sydney in 2005, What the Boy Hears When the Girl Dreams is a poignant insight into the silences and injustices that divide us, and the healing power of unlikely friendships.
- GenresFiction
364 pages, Paperback
First published October 28, 2021
7 people are currently reading
42 people want to read
About the author
Graeme Friedman
10 books7 followersBorn in Cape Town, Graeme Friedman is a former anti-apartheid activist, a clinical psychologist, and an award-winning writer whose short stories have appeared in anthologies published internationally. His latest novel, What the Boy Hears When the Girl Dreams (Lusaris, 2021), is, in the words of one reviewer, both ‘whimsical and tender’ and ‘a powerful and moving exploration of friendship, trauma, loss and recovery.’
An earlier novel, The Fossil Artist (Jacana, 2010), a story about crime and authenticity, what it means to be human and how we come to love, was shortlisted for a 2011 Commonwealth Writers’ Prize and the M-Net Literary Award. Friedman is also the author of the critically acclaimed The Piano War (David Philip, 2003), an unbelievable yet true story of love and survival set against the horrors of World War II, and of Madiba’s Boys, a non-fiction book on South African football, politics, and history, published in South Africa (New Africa Books, 2001) and the United Kingdom (Comerford & Miller, 2001) with a foreword by Nelson Mandela. Madiba’s Boys was a Top Ten Sports Book in the United Kingdom.
Friedman has co-edited a collection of prose and poetry entitled A Writer in Stone (David Philip, 1998), and has written on the topics of torture and the political trial, based on his experience as a trauma counsellor and an expert witness for the defence—mostly ANC freedom fighters—during political trials of the apartheid era. He is currently completing a PhD on the topic of shame, terror, and storytelling in the political trial.
He has appeared at writers’ festivals and workshops in South Africa and Australia, where he now lives with his wife and their three children, all of whom share his love of story.
An earlier novel, The Fossil Artist (Jacana, 2010), a story about crime and authenticity, what it means to be human and how we come to love, was shortlisted for a 2011 Commonwealth Writers’ Prize and the M-Net Literary Award. Friedman is also the author of the critically acclaimed The Piano War (David Philip, 2003), an unbelievable yet true story of love and survival set against the horrors of World War II, and of Madiba’s Boys, a non-fiction book on South African football, politics, and history, published in South Africa (New Africa Books, 2001) and the United Kingdom (Comerford & Miller, 2001) with a foreword by Nelson Mandela. Madiba’s Boys was a Top Ten Sports Book in the United Kingdom.
Friedman has co-edited a collection of prose and poetry entitled A Writer in Stone (David Philip, 1998), and has written on the topics of torture and the political trial, based on his experience as a trauma counsellor and an expert witness for the defence—mostly ANC freedom fighters—during political trials of the apartheid era. He is currently completing a PhD on the topic of shame, terror, and storytelling in the political trial.
He has appeared at writers’ festivals and workshops in South Africa and Australia, where he now lives with his wife and their three children, all of whom share his love of story.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
February 21, 2022
Thank you Serenity Press for sending us a copy to read and review.
A whimsical and lyrical read encourages the mind to wander and the creativity to flow.
A super power is everybody’s wish as a child and a great many hours dedicated to deciding on what it will be in every childhood bedroom.
Pre teen Finn awakes and notices immediately he has super hearing.
As annoying as many of the extra sounds could be he noticed the sounds of a girl dreaming.
These fragments becoming quite profound as he befriends the girl, Busi.
From Malawi her life has many differences, stresses and injustices compared to Finn’s.
The unlikely friendship setting a strong blueprint especially as its set against the Sydney racial protests.
The super power also connecting him to people and family from the past.
Giving him more of understanding of his own heritage.
Short and sharp chapters guide the reader through the invisible divisions people live by and joy a friendship can bring.
The political, racial and sociological threads and a boy’s journey into puberty made this an evocative and delightful read.
Serving as a reminder that unity is possible if given a chance.
A whimsical and lyrical read encourages the mind to wander and the creativity to flow.
A super power is everybody’s wish as a child and a great many hours dedicated to deciding on what it will be in every childhood bedroom.
Pre teen Finn awakes and notices immediately he has super hearing.
As annoying as many of the extra sounds could be he noticed the sounds of a girl dreaming.
These fragments becoming quite profound as he befriends the girl, Busi.
From Malawi her life has many differences, stresses and injustices compared to Finn’s.
The unlikely friendship setting a strong blueprint especially as its set against the Sydney racial protests.
The super power also connecting him to people and family from the past.
Giving him more of understanding of his own heritage.
Short and sharp chapters guide the reader through the invisible divisions people live by and joy a friendship can bring.
The political, racial and sociological threads and a boy’s journey into puberty made this an evocative and delightful read.
Serving as a reminder that unity is possible if given a chance.
October 16, 2022
I wasn't quite sure what I was expecting but this book was a wonderful coming of age story, dealing with racism and trauma against the backdrop of the Cronulla race riots. I loved the characters, the narration by Finn, and the insights.
September 22, 2024
A first look at this book title had me thinking it may be a foray into the supernatural mystery through the eyes of a child. The novel evolved into a well thought out story of entwining of relationships across generations and cultures.
The main theme throughout the book is the links between the young boy and the family's lodger, a young woman initially from Africa. This connection between the two main protagonists provides a historical depictions of real life that many people may be unaware of. Having worked for a not for profit, and over the years been involved in advocacy across a range of sectors, sadly, I am well aware that the novel reports on many realities throughout the novel. These are dealt with both sensitively and, at times, confrontingly. Light relief then occurs with moments of humour interspersed with linguistic mismatches common to youngsters learning new words and meanings as time goes by.
Friedman explores the history of two countries affected by racism and torture, plus much more. Emotional confusion, mental health and interpretations or misinterpretations are entwined with the parallel depiction of how PTSD rears itself for people of different cultures.
Aside from this is the complex relationship between the boy's parents, in the midst of their own traumatic events, and the real or perceived connections between ancestors and present day people.
This is the story of a youngster's coming of age, as he explores his surroundings and the meaning of different things in his life as he enters puberty.
And again, this book is one that it's hard to allocate stars to, since some issues written about are certainly not to be liked or endorsed. However, how the subject matter is dealt with adds depth to the storyline, providing the answer to how many stars I gave it.
I'm now on the lookout for more books by this author. One to watch.
The main theme throughout the book is the links between the young boy and the family's lodger, a young woman initially from Africa. This connection between the two main protagonists provides a historical depictions of real life that many people may be unaware of. Having worked for a not for profit, and over the years been involved in advocacy across a range of sectors, sadly, I am well aware that the novel reports on many realities throughout the novel. These are dealt with both sensitively and, at times, confrontingly. Light relief then occurs with moments of humour interspersed with linguistic mismatches common to youngsters learning new words and meanings as time goes by.
Friedman explores the history of two countries affected by racism and torture, plus much more. Emotional confusion, mental health and interpretations or misinterpretations are entwined with the parallel depiction of how PTSD rears itself for people of different cultures.
Aside from this is the complex relationship between the boy's parents, in the midst of their own traumatic events, and the real or perceived connections between ancestors and present day people.
This is the story of a youngster's coming of age, as he explores his surroundings and the meaning of different things in his life as he enters puberty.
And again, this book is one that it's hard to allocate stars to, since some issues written about are certainly not to be liked or endorsed. However, how the subject matter is dealt with adds depth to the storyline, providing the answer to how many stars I gave it.
I'm now on the lookout for more books by this author. One to watch.
December 13, 2021
This book is insightful and profound. It invites the reader to ponder the nature of the individual, relationships and society. It takes you to places of great anguish, but with a light touch that allows hope. The skill of the author is such of that it allows the reader to engage with the more confronting themes at the level bearable for the reader.
From the beginning you are assured that you’re in safe hands with an author who knows where he’s going. The book moves easily between reality and dream sequences, inviting the imagination to take up where the narrative leaves off. Throughout, the serious nature of the core message is leavened by the delightful humour of the young protagonist’s inner voice.
That it is set in Maroubra is a gift for Sydney-siders, with the STA buses almost becoming characters in their own right.
I would thoroughly recommend this book.
From the beginning you are assured that you’re in safe hands with an author who knows where he’s going. The book moves easily between reality and dream sequences, inviting the imagination to take up where the narrative leaves off. Throughout, the serious nature of the core message is leavened by the delightful humour of the young protagonist’s inner voice.
That it is set in Maroubra is a gift for Sydney-siders, with the STA buses almost becoming characters in their own right.
I would thoroughly recommend this book.
November 19, 2021
Friedman reaches deeply into the mindsets of the four principal characters, each of whom are dealing with painful personal issues amplified through their connected worlds. The short chapter structure provides page-turning impetus to the plot, seamlessly moving from one character focus to another, while maintaining the binding thread as seen through the eyes of the 12 year old protagonist. A well-written and enjoyable read.
Read
May 24, 2022An exceptional tale for adults and teens.
By focusing on an individual experience the story humanizes the predicament of the (illegal) migrant.
Shuttling between vernacular realism to a magical dream world the narrative gently takes you to the place we didn’t want to go - seeing (& hearing) that migrants are people with a history, family, experiences of trauma and perhaps triumph.
Just like you and me.
By focusing on an individual experience the story humanizes the predicament of the (illegal) migrant.
Shuttling between vernacular realism to a magical dream world the narrative gently takes you to the place we didn’t want to go - seeing (& hearing) that migrants are people with a history, family, experiences of trauma and perhaps triumph.
Just like you and me.
October 9, 2022
This is a beautifully written story, in which our gentle, sensitive protagonist Finn hears all. As a reader, you can't help but be drawn into the unfolding friendship between the Australian Finn and the young Malawian woman Busi. As Busi's repressed memories are slowly drawn to the surface, the unnecessary horrors and destruction in Mozambique are revealed - and your heart is shattered.
A well-written story with the universal themes of friendship, empathy and kindness. An excellent read!
A well-written story with the universal themes of friendship, empathy and kindness. An excellent read!
March 7, 2022
Insightful & absorbing. Loved this book on many levels- the evocative use of language, the melding of different themes & expanding them from the intimacy of the home to Australia and beyond, the craft of using the boy’s extreme hearing as a vehicle to push the boundaries of relationships a little further. The book comes alive in your hands and you will feel enlightened and enriched by it.
December 29, 2021
Deeply moving, beautifully written, captures perfectly a moment in Sydney’s recent past which still reverberates through our society. Finn and Busi are characters drawn with exquisite sensitivity and their coming of age story resonates with authenticity. I highly recommend this wonderful book.
February 13, 2022
A beautifully written book, which explores the complexity of human experience, relationships, trauma and healing. This book engages the reader from the very first page. Hard to put down and a highly recommended read.
March 21, 2022
Such a stunning book that encapsulates the imagination. The character development is exquisite and takes the reader on a spellbinding journey. It is very rare to read a book that you do not want to end.
August 11, 2023
It starts as a whimsical tale about a boy who hears things we normally can’t, like the sound of blinking, and it evolves into a heart-breaking coming of age story.
January 24, 2025
An absolutely beautiful read. Powerful and engaging. I loved this story and the author’s narrative style.
January 24, 2025
A beautifully written & moving story.
A very interesting intersection of culture & experience expertly narrated. Highly recommended.
A very interesting intersection of culture & experience expertly narrated. Highly recommended.
January 14, 2023
fantastic story of a young boy and a Malawian refugee set in Maroubra during the time of the Cronulla riots.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews