The Meaning of Grace (Deborah Forster, Vintage)

Deborah Forster’s last novel was the Miles Franklin Award-shortlisted The Book of Emmett. It’s immediately evident that Forster is a writer of considerable talent; her characters are original and instantly real on the page. Set in a windswept coastal town, and largely told through the eyes of eldest daughter Edie, The Meaning of Grace is foremost about the intricacies of family relations: the fractiousness between Edie and her younger, attractive sister Juliet, who betrays Edie badly, the somewhat lost youngest brother Ted, and their mother, the stoic but ‘distant’ title character Grace. Set in a windswept coastal town, Grace is kept busy running a single-parent family and the children covet the spotlight of her attention. ‘Time and consequence’ play out over the novel as each character moves through their life. Grace’s experience of cancer is portrayed with realism and poignancy and induces the children to examine their relationships with their mother, and each other; their final realisations are heartfelt and moving. The novel covers such potentially dark topics as depression, suicide, child molestation and death—as well as kindness and love—with warmth and humanity, illuminating the gloom with hope. Forster shows great insight into families and relationships. Her acute observations, sensitive exploration of emotion and lyrical, creative prose make this a highly recommended read.

 Joanne Shiells is a former bookseller and editor of Bookseller+Publisher

Books+Publishing pre-publication reviews are supported by the Copyright Agency Cultural Fund.

Category: Reviews