The Shark Net by Robert Drewe Reviewed By Steve Rudd

Ok. So most movies, books or long-running TV-orientated soaps tend to dwell on the sunnier side of living in Austrailia. Am I right? Sure, there are instances of scandal now and again amidst the emotionally challenged sprawl of Ramsey Street, but nothing too shocking or sleep-depriving . The Shark Net, to the contrary, proves to be a subtly disturbing book, set on the West Coast of the massive continent in the city of Perth, which is arguably the most cut-off of all cities in the world, being so far away from its next closest city.

Much of this novel actually tells the story of a boy growing up in Perth, and to extents assumes an autobiographical air of authenticity. The boy's father works for the rubber-marketing giants Dunlop and is somewhat conservative and old-fashioned in his ways, but the young boy yearns to life a fuller and more rounded life.

Naturally, The Shark Net delves deep into the relationships that develop between the boy and his family, his friends - and girls, as adolescence kicks in. The Claremont dance defied the popular music of the era. Rock 'n' roll was daytime, teenage music; it meant high spirits and high school and daylight. Jazz was nightclubs, close dancing, and sexual aplomb. Rock 'n' roll made us feel like the teenagers we were. Rock 'n' roll lyrics suggested milkshake and hamburgers. Jazz made us feel like Hugh Hefner.

As the novel progresses, a local string of murders pierce an altogether darker aura into proceedings as the seemingly safe community in which he lives is thrown into worry. As coming-of-age drama novels go, this does make for a uniquely original read. ISBN 0-140-28869-4 (Penguin; first published in Austrailia in 2000) www.penguin.com

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