Town by James Roy

This book is as Australian as it gets but more perceptive than the culture that vigorously protects it's she'll be right image.

Thirteen individual short stories told over the time span of a year, about what it is like to be a teenager in a small Australian town. The subject matter, and the characters, who appear in more than one story, show some depth. The stories are all interrelated, but can be read in isolation, to give a very satisfying read.

The topics include disability (the story of Robbie Blair is just beautiful), sexuality, gossip, family dysfunction, sickness, death and school life.

At times hugely funny and at others sad and thought provoking. My favourite stories are those surrounding gossip, particularly concerning the girl nicknamed "carbo". She got called carbo because a chemistry teacher described the element carbon as the "slut of elements" as it combined with anything.

You will not have read a story like this before so do yourself a favour and read it. Suitable for secondary school readers and of course adults.

Published by University of Queensland Press

Reviewed by Bob