The Double (Maria Takolander, Text)

Maria Takolander’s first collection of short stories is a captivating and slightly uncomfortable series of tales that are in turns frightening, amusing, haunting and reassuring. They explore humanity on the everyday level while also taking on the universal themes of loss, fear and self-discovery. Foreign and frequently unnerving, the first half of this collection switches rapidly between various tones and styles, while the second half features stories that revolve around a central theme: poetry and the mysterious Zed Roankin. The settings alternate between the familiar scenes of rural Australia and the more unknown background of Northern Europe, but it is the characters that really shine in this collection. Takolander has a talent for creating authentic, often unlikeable characters with unique voices; characters who feel painfully, recognisably real. While the sharp difference between parts one and two of this collection is slightly jarring, Takolander’s stories are, when taken individually, undeniably powerful. Notable stories include ‘The Red Wheelbarrow’, ‘The War of the Worlds’ and ‘The Interpretation of Dreams’.

Meg Whelan is the children’s book buyer at the Hill of Content bookshop

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

Category: Reviews