Shift (Irma Gold, MidnightSun)

Shift has cemented Irma Gold (The Breaking) as a standout voice in Australian contemporary fiction. The novel follows Arlie, an up-and-coming photographer on the precipice of success, who leaves his laidback Melbourne life for a journey of self-discovery in South Africa. Arlie travels to Kliptown seeking inspiration for his new exhibition and to learn more about his mother’s secretive South African past. Through his eyes – and camera lens – we meet the vibrant souls of Kliptown: Rufaro, the choir director; Mama K, known for her kotas (stuffed South African sandwiches); Glory, the singer; and Samson, her younger brother and an aspiring soccer player. Gold’s ability to create vivid characters makes Shift a page-turning and lively read. Arlie quickly discovers the harsh realities behind Kliptown’s colourful fashion and sunny smiles. The community, full of warmth and resilience, is also deeply affected by systemic neglect and tragedy. The violence depicted in the novel is stark and unsettling, yet Gold’s cinematic and evocative prose is beautiful and transforms even the darkest moments into compelling scenes. Arlie’s journey takes another turn when his stoic father, Harris, follows him to South Africa, determined to bring him back to the safety of Melbourne. Their time together is fraught with tensions – Harris’s harsh judgements and Arlie’s cognitive dissonance. However, the trip proves pivotal in Arlie’s effort to understand his mother’s past. Shift will appeal to readers of Trent Dalton’s Boy Swallows Universe or those looking for a similarly mature and heartbreaking coming-of-age story.

Books+Publishing reviewer: Eman Mourad is an Australian-Egyptian emerging writer based on Gadigal land. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.

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

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