Bereft – The Review
Written by Nikki-ann on Friday, 24 February , 2012 at 12:45 pm
Author: Chris Womersley
Publisher: Quercus
ISBN: 978-0-85738-654-0
In 1919, a soldier of the Great War, Quinn Walker returns to Australia where the Spanish flu epidemic is raging. He is drawn back to Flint, a small town in New South Wales from where he fled ten years previously having been accused of murder. The townsmen, including his own father and uncle, have never forgiven him and have vowed to hang him should he return. Aware of this, Quinn keeps to the town’s surrounding hills, unsure of what to do next.
A young girl named Sadie Fox finds Quinn above the town and a bond is formed. Sadie seems to know, and share, Quinn’s darkest fear. In fact, she seems to know a lot. With Sadie’s help, Quinn learns the only way he can lay his past to rest.
Bereft is written in third-person narrative, subjectively following Quinn’s actions and train of thought. Quinn is damaged by the Great War, not just physically but mentally too, and we follow him back to his hometown where his survival is dependant on not being seen. His memories of what happened in Flint ten years earlier and of what happened during the Great War are never far away.
Sadie’s discovery of Quinn sparks an unusual, if slightly uneasy, relationship between him, a veteran of the Great War, and her, a lone young orphan girl. Some might call their relationship “odd”, and to some extend it is, but it is an entirely innocent one. They see each other as the one they miss.
Despite it being such an atmospheric, haunting and grim story, Bereft is beautifully written, but it did have me wondering at times if certain things were real. Bereft is not a “whodunnit” (as I think that part is pretty obvious early on), but makes for compelling reading with its story of survival, guilt and grief. The story slowly gathers pace until it reaches its climax and it, perhaps, borders both literary and crime fiction. It certainly isn’t your standard crime thriller, it’s thoughtful and deeper with its story of human tragedy, consequences of actions and regret.
All in all, Bereft is a good read and one I’d certainly recommend to anyone looking for some great Australian fiction.
Many thanks to Quercus for including it in my goody bag from their Digital Shindig!
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Please note: I received this book free from Quercus. However, this has in no way influenced my opinion of the book.
Comments (7)
Category: Books,Crime,Historical Fiction,Mystery,Reviews,Thriller
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Comment by Yvonne
Made Friday, 24 of February , 2012 at 5:22 pm
Hi Nikki,
I haven’t read much Australian fiction and certainy haven’t ever come across either this book or the author.
I really do like the sound of ‘Bereft’ and the authors other book ‘The Low Road’. There are some similarities between the two books, in that they both involve two disparate central characters and have quite deep stroylines, however ‘Bereft’ is definitely the more emotional read of the two I should think.
I need to read both books, I’m aready hooked without even having read a page.
Nice review, but then they always are.
Have a good weekend
Comment by Jenners
Made Friday, 24 of February , 2012 at 6:25 pm
I recently read a thriller/mystery that had the same kind of literary feel to it. It was odd to me … and I didn’t quite know how to react. : )
Comment by OldOldLady Of The Hills
Made Friday, 24 of February , 2012 at 6:43 pm
This sounds like a very interesting book…..It’s wonderful that you share all these different books with all of us…..Thanks so much, Nikki.
Comment by Barbara
Made Saturday, 25 of February , 2012 at 5:42 pm
As soon as I started to read your review I knew I would be adding Bereft to my TBR pile.
Comment by Imaginography
Made Sunday, 26 of February , 2012 at 10:18 am
This is an intriguing book but not sure it is something I would want to read at the moment. Great review as ever 
Comment by Mo
Made Monday, 27 of February , 2012 at 12:59 pm
I like the sound of this one, it’s now on my list…my main issue is keeping up with the rate you read…
Your description reminds me of My Fortunate Life (Facey) which I recommend if you haven’t read it.
Comment by Shelleyrae
Made Tuesday, 28 of February , 2012 at 6:49 am
I haven’t read this yet though I want to, I am going to make it part of my Aussie Author Challenge reading.
Thanks for sharing your review.
Shelleyrae @ Book’d Out
