Isabelle of the Moon and Stars (S A Jones, UWA Publishing)

The Isabelle of this book’s title is a complex character. Haunted by a depressive spirit, and recovering from a crushing relationship breakdown, she amuses herself in her bureaucratic job by inventing nonsensical reports and flirting with her married boss. Isabelle’s struggles with panic and depression are only endurable thanks to the steadfast support of her best friend Evan—a friendship that later turns romantic. While Isabelle has a self-destructive bent, Evan, with his even temperament and unswerving faith in Isabelle—not to mention his vow of chastity—seems too good to be true. Just as the story reaches an apparent close, there’s a change in setting when Isabelle abruptly leaves Perth to soul-search in Prague. While interesting, particularly for its detail on the Czech Republic’s dark history, this is a detour from the conclusion of Isabelle and Evan’s romance. Isabelle of the Moon and Stars is a fine, if slightly predictable, read, strengthened by its handling of Isabelle’s mental and moral issues, and its historical and geographical detail. There are some memorable minor characters, and the author’s use of language is a highlight. Containing both popular and literary elements, this book should have wide appeal but may be hard to categorise. Amid a sea of competition and without a strong point of difference, it risks being one of those worthy novels that gets overlooked.

Joanne Shiells is a former editor of Books+Publishing

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

Category: Reviews