I deeply disliked this book - and as I prefer not to leave negative reviews online unless the book has made me angry AND I don't want to give an Irish writer a negative review, I am only giving my feedback here.

Brutal and shocking and not my usual read but so realistic I have to say I did enjoy it. I’m glad my daughters have done their backpacking As I feel I now know more than I need about young people abroad and certainly more than I think I needed to know.
That said this book is very well written with a style all of its own. Cleverly told in three sections and no surprises for anyone who has read it Fiona was by far my favourite.

This book was not for me!

This book has had countless great reviews and has been shortlisted for awards but I just did not feel any empathy to the characters at all.

It is cleverly constructed, the 3 central characters, Murph, Fiona and Hopper, all tell their story in 3 separate parts. They are all young and Irish and have travelled to Australia to escape the Irish recession.

Each story comes together at the end and shows how each of them have had to deal with their own demons and are trying to find answers in a new country when their own homeland has failed them.

However, from my own point of view I just could not understand how drinking to excess and taking copious amounts of drugs was a solution to anything especially as they never had any money and as soon as they managed to get some it was immediately swallowed up by their excesses. I am also not a fan of excessive swearing and although I appreciate that this is probably a true reflection of how these characters would speak in their situation I just did not like it.

Book reviewing to me should be honest and impartial and that is why I have not praised this book however I am sure that it will appeal to many other readers but it was not for me!!

Dexter

Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review