Walking on Trampolines (Frances Whiting, Pan Macmillan)

I was expecting another story of a life turned upside down, and then fixed, in very predictable ways, but this book was wonderful and surprising! Lulu’s story weaves back and forth across the years, but concentrates on her friend Annabelle Andrews: how the two girls met as children and grew up together, sharing each other’s families, and eventually, in one crashing moment, breaking apart—only to reunite and break apart again. Frances Whiting is associate editor of the Sunday Mail in Queensland, and her prowess with the pen easily translates to fiction. Each time I was sure I could predict what would happen next, I was wrong. The story was delightful, surprising and true to life in many ways. In particular, I could see real love in Lulu’s mother and father, both towards each other and towards their daughter. It was really quite moving. I’d recommend Walking on Trampolines for those who don’t like their chick-lit too light, for those looking for some escapism, and for those wanting something lovely and comforting to cheer them up in the cold winter weather.

Jessica Broadbent is a former bookseller and trained librarian

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Category: Reviews