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Air by John Boyne
Boyne closes his brilliant but confronting four-part series on the elements – Water, Earth, Fire and Air – with a contemplative look at a man on his 40th birthday, trying to parent as best he can, but haunted by past trauma. He is on a plane heading to the other side of the world, to an event without an invitation, and travelling with a sometimes belligerent 14-year-old, who would rather have stayed at home in Sydney. Parents of teenagers will recognise the frustration of trying to reason with a teenager, and the angst of trying to trust their choices while still wanting to keep a protective net around them.
Aaron Umber hopes the journey will help him reconnect with his son and he is looking for the right time to tell the boy something of his own history, as well as that of his estranged mother.
The story has numerous sub-plots, so to outline it in any detail would spoil it for the reader, but it is a lot less harrowing than Fire. Essentially, it is a story about love and forgiveness, particularly self-forgiveness. It shows that while past experiences shape our lives, they do not need to define us.
A Five Letter Word for Love by Amy James
Piled with student debt, Emily isn’t where she thought she would be at 27. Small town life on Prince Edward Island is lonely. Working as an auto-shop receptionist, with two co-workers fluent in car talk only, she is very far from her big city dream job. More disheartening, is she is still clueless on exactly what that dream career is.
One thing Emily is in control of, however, is her daily Wordle puzzle. After 300 days of success, her goal of a year’s winning streak is temptingly close. One tricky puzzle brings an unexpected connection with John, the annoyingly attractive mechanic, who plays Wordle on expert mode.
Emily’s days start to become more fulfilling, with a budding relationship and voluntary work at the barrel museum keeping her busy. Then a neighbour railroads her into the unexpected world of senior care. Yet, the big city dream persists but with John, a small town man to the core, choices will need to be made.
This fun romantic comedy has a quirky cast of characters, relatable tricky life decisions and reiterates the importance of finding your own happiness – whatever unique form it may take.
Reviewed by Abby Soffe
