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ROTTNEST
Everyone’s family is weird, but some are weirder than others.
When Peter Dawes, ageing music journalist, receives an anonymously sent cassette tape in the post inviting him to Rottnest, an isolated mansion in the north of England, he believes this is his last chance to make a name for himself in the industry. And possibly win back his ex-lover. Peter has a gently cynical view about the condition of his older body and finds himself acutely aware of it when he meets the residents of the decrepit Rottnest.
Musicians with extraordinary talent; and an extraordinary facility for consuming marijuana, they respond to Peter’s request with hostility. Determined to get a signed contract, Peter doggedly pursues each member in turn in an attempt to win them over. In the process, he uncovers secrets and uncomfortable truths. Peter discovers the musicians have some strange habits and beliefs; why do they live the way they do? In Rottnest, it is forever the 1970s…
A tale of missed opportunities, lost loves, parenting and getting older. Welcome to Rottnest.
When Peter Dawes, ageing music journalist, receives an anonymously sent cassette tape in the post inviting him to Rottnest, an isolated mansion in the north of England, he believes this is his last chance to make a name for himself in the industry. And possibly win back his ex-lover. Peter has a gently cynical view about the condition of his older body and finds himself acutely aware of it when he meets the residents of the decrepit Rottnest.
Musicians with extraordinary talent; and an extraordinary facility for consuming marijuana, they respond to Peter’s request with hostility. Determined to get a signed contract, Peter doggedly pursues each member in turn in an attempt to win them over. In the process, he uncovers secrets and uncomfortable truths. Peter discovers the musicians have some strange habits and beliefs; why do they live the way they do? In Rottnest, it is forever the 1970s…
A tale of missed opportunities, lost loves, parenting and getting older. Welcome to Rottnest.
182 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 16, 2022
1 person want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
June 26, 2022
Charming Tale of Acceptance and Redemption
EV Faulkner has penned a delightful novel exploring a nebbish anti-hero’s transition through the “the existential thicket of mid-life.” Peter Dawes struggles with middle-age and his life’s achievements, measuring himself against an old flame who jilted him while she stole his "Once-in-a-lifetime" opportunity for glory. In Peter’s words, “No one told you anything about late adulthood, that middle age was a transition from ‘The future is a long way off,’ to ‘The end is nigh.’ Just when you got your sh*t together and your head in a relatively stable place, your body goes to pot.” Approaching his sixtieth birthday, an introspective writer and want-to-be A&R man for a London-based music magazine, Peter gambles on a discovery of musical prodigies in the wilds of Yorkshire and finds instead the remnants of a bizarre cult. Childish despite their age, his hosts lead him to discover he is “trapped in the 1970s,” and while disinterested in his offers of money and fame, they trick him into drug addled escapades. Yet, Peter, lost in his own existential funk, stays to investigate the mysteries that surround this odd family in the sprawling manse on the moors. His indecisive lingering has profound effect on the children of Rottnest as well as himself. He sums up his journey midway through the story: “Was he as mired in the past, emotionally, as much as they were physically and intellectually?”
I like this author’s turn of phrase and the descriptions are compelling. “The house seemed to hold its geography as secret as its residents, who moved ghost-like through its corridors and rooms in a well-practised ballet in which the performers manoeuvred past and around one another rarely making contact.” Faulkner describes the overgrown forest devouring the house as “triffidesque plantlife.” The narrative is fluent and there is some humor, most droll or self-deprecating observances by the main character, or characters thrown into awkward situations. As a literary work, Rottnest follows the path of the hero’s quest—Peter leaves his normal world, transitions through an adventure world, faces the underworld of the third act and enters a new normal in the story’s resolution. The story ends on an upbeat note, and we readers can believe all will be right for Peter and those whose lives he touched.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read and I recommend it for those seeking a lighthearted character study and exploration of middle-age.
EV Faulkner has penned a delightful novel exploring a nebbish anti-hero’s transition through the “the existential thicket of mid-life.” Peter Dawes struggles with middle-age and his life’s achievements, measuring himself against an old flame who jilted him while she stole his "Once-in-a-lifetime" opportunity for glory. In Peter’s words, “No one told you anything about late adulthood, that middle age was a transition from ‘The future is a long way off,’ to ‘The end is nigh.’ Just when you got your sh*t together and your head in a relatively stable place, your body goes to pot.” Approaching his sixtieth birthday, an introspective writer and want-to-be A&R man for a London-based music magazine, Peter gambles on a discovery of musical prodigies in the wilds of Yorkshire and finds instead the remnants of a bizarre cult. Childish despite their age, his hosts lead him to discover he is “trapped in the 1970s,” and while disinterested in his offers of money and fame, they trick him into drug addled escapades. Yet, Peter, lost in his own existential funk, stays to investigate the mysteries that surround this odd family in the sprawling manse on the moors. His indecisive lingering has profound effect on the children of Rottnest as well as himself. He sums up his journey midway through the story: “Was he as mired in the past, emotionally, as much as they were physically and intellectually?”
I like this author’s turn of phrase and the descriptions are compelling. “The house seemed to hold its geography as secret as its residents, who moved ghost-like through its corridors and rooms in a well-practised ballet in which the performers manoeuvred past and around one another rarely making contact.” Faulkner describes the overgrown forest devouring the house as “triffidesque plantlife.” The narrative is fluent and there is some humor, most droll or self-deprecating observances by the main character, or characters thrown into awkward situations. As a literary work, Rottnest follows the path of the hero’s quest—Peter leaves his normal world, transitions through an adventure world, faces the underworld of the third act and enters a new normal in the story’s resolution. The story ends on an upbeat note, and we readers can believe all will be right for Peter and those whose lives he touched.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read and I recommend it for those seeking a lighthearted character study and exploration of middle-age.
July 10, 2022
A fascinating story of opposites finding themselves through an exploration of the other, whether willing or not.
Peter, a mediocre and middle-aged music journalist, receives a cassette tape in the post, anonymously, but inviting him to Rottnest (aptly named it turns out) to meet the musicians. When he eventually arrives at the isolated address, he discovers a crumbling down mansion, huge overgrown gardens, a family of siblings who appear innocent of the world beyond the 70s, and a hostile welcome. He should turn around and walk the mile back to the main road where he might possibly get a mobile signal and a taxi. But Peter knows there is a unique talent here which might, just might, avenge him for the talent openly stolen by his ex-girlfriend, Antonia. He sets about attempting to win over the siblings in turn, with very little luck. But in the days that pass, Peter discovers things which affect not only the future of the Rottnest family but his own as well.
Faulkner has a way with words which gives the reader vivid settings - there's no way I would stay one night in that house - and the 70s hippie/alternative lifestyle and 'philosophy' is well captured. The characters too have depth, even the ones we don't meet because they are either dead or absent. Faulkner's insights into the human condition are cutting but gentle, expressed most vividly through Peter's own self-awareness.
An enjoyable read, with an unlikely hero and a unique setting.
Peter, a mediocre and middle-aged music journalist, receives a cassette tape in the post, anonymously, but inviting him to Rottnest (aptly named it turns out) to meet the musicians. When he eventually arrives at the isolated address, he discovers a crumbling down mansion, huge overgrown gardens, a family of siblings who appear innocent of the world beyond the 70s, and a hostile welcome. He should turn around and walk the mile back to the main road where he might possibly get a mobile signal and a taxi. But Peter knows there is a unique talent here which might, just might, avenge him for the talent openly stolen by his ex-girlfriend, Antonia. He sets about attempting to win over the siblings in turn, with very little luck. But in the days that pass, Peter discovers things which affect not only the future of the Rottnest family but his own as well.
Faulkner has a way with words which gives the reader vivid settings - there's no way I would stay one night in that house - and the 70s hippie/alternative lifestyle and 'philosophy' is well captured. The characters too have depth, even the ones we don't meet because they are either dead or absent. Faulkner's insights into the human condition are cutting but gentle, expressed most vividly through Peter's own self-awareness.
An enjoyable read, with an unlikely hero and a unique setting.
July 27, 2022
Peter is a music journalist who sees himself as a failure. When he receives a cassette tape, an intriguing musical recording, he decides he has one last chance of showing the world (and his ex) that he is worth something after all. He just needs to sign the band to a recording contract and they will be his discovery. He travels to Rottnest where he encounters a very unusual family. They don’t want him there and they definitely don’t want to be “discovered”.
Rottnest is an absorbing and layered story, with a small cast of realistic, interesting and flawed characters. It is moving, intriguing, mysterious and at times very funny. This is a book you don’t just put down at the end; it’s one that will stay with you. Highly recommended.
Rottnest is an absorbing and layered story, with a small cast of realistic, interesting and flawed characters. It is moving, intriguing, mysterious and at times very funny. This is a book you don’t just put down at the end; it’s one that will stay with you. Highly recommended.
September 23, 2022
Aging music agent goes deep into the English countryside to sign an unusual band. The house (mansion) and grounds are in deep disrepair. You’re not quite sure what’s going on—ghosts? Time warp?
Evocative writing and healing occur throughout the book. You’ll find it worth your time. Recommend.
Evocative writing and healing occur throughout the book. You’ll find it worth your time. Recommend.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews