The Architecture of Song (Gary Crew, Fourth Estate)

The Architecture of Song is the second foray into adult fiction for Gary Crew, a well-known and prolific author of YA, and indeed many of the freakish characters in this story would be right at home in the world of YA. It tells the story of Augustus—a dwarf who believes that singing will give him height—and his travels with Rosa, who has been overlooked by her acrobat brothers for her robustness, and Stan, who has had a questionable relationship with a chimp. When Augustus is deserted by his mother at a circus, Rosa, upon hearing him sing, declares herself his manager. However, after Augustus’ first performance, the trio are turned loose and the story wanders, seemingly aimlessly, through the brothels and mines of Northern Queensland, meeting silver people and gravediggers, with motifs of song and the influence of physical space shot through. The characters are quirky and likeable, though they seem better placed in a book for young adults. The lack of narrative direction is a shortcoming but the stories within the story drive the narrative to a point. This book will appeal to readers seeking the strange and entertaining, and escapism of a darker kind.

Rachel Edwards is events manager at Fullers Bookshop, managing editor of Island Magazine and presenter of The Book Show on Edge Radio

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Category: Reviews