Sam’s Comments (group member since Dec 25, 2019)

Sam’s comments from the Stella Project group.

I found this book disappointing ... especially compared to The Erratics, or Only by Caroline Baum, or Mark Colvins book for example. I am not a big fan of memoir generally, so perhaps I am not the best person to judge but while there are certainly moments of engaging narrative, the scattergun approach is boring to read. I think I am also judging it a bit more harshly than I normally would because it really shouldn’t be on this long list, so many other amazing books could have taken its place.

So interesting to read your comments - I usually love short fiction so I don’t know why this collection did not work as well for me as many others ... but the stories that did resonate are still playing around in my head (as with all great writing) so I will definitely re-read this at a slower pace later I think. Can’t fault the writing in any of the stories, she has a lot of talent that’s for sure. Post Structuralism was excellent but so bleak - I needed a little mental health break after that one :) I do think that this collection is one that will resonate with different readers at certain stages of life (not necessarily age based, more experience based stages).

I read this book last year and it still resonates on so many levels but most especially on the intricacies of long-standing friendships, on loyalty and on loss (of looks, of friends, of status).

My opinion of Sylvie did change over the course of the book. At first I felt she was the glue, the central person who had brought the group together because of her energy, her great personality etc but later I wondered if she had in fact been one of those slightly high maintenance friends who runs favourites and perhaps wields her power as it suits her. I am still not 100% sure but I do think she was probably quite selfish in some ways. But then, aren’t we all at some times of our lives? Great discussion point though.

I finished this today and thoroughly enjoyed several of the stories here - Sinkers was the standout for me - the way it so perfectly captured the intensely perverse and personal grief process. Other highlights Anything Remarkable, Chavez and A Small Cleared Space.

Although the writing was excellent and I really liked the stories I have listed above, the collection did not work for me as a whole. Perhaps I read it too quickly, or did not pay enough attention ... I look forward to hearing other opinions on this book and also seeing if over time I come back to some of the other stories.

Such an interesting structure using the seasonality of a farm and the family of kookaburras to anchor the story of Harry & Betty. I think the writing is beautiful, so subtle this story of desire, of ordinary human beings muddling through life. It wasn’t a “5 star read” for me, but I am pleased to have read it.