Southern Aurora by Mark Brandi

The 'Southern Aurora' is a really special fancy train that can take you from Mittagunda to the amazing cities of Melbourne or Sydney. But Jimmy isn’t going anywhere. He’s in Year 5, living on the poor street in a rural town with his mother whose best friend is the Kaiser wine cask, his younger brother Sam in Special School, and his older brother Mick in jail most of the time. Even his school friend Danny is someone he feels he has to keep on the right side.

Jimmy tries to hold everything together, keeping an eye on the Kaiser, and an eye on Mum’s unpredictable boyfriend Charlie, and looking out for Sam. It’s like treading on eggshells, never knowing when Charlie’s nasty mood will take over, and everything will turn wrong. Jimmy feels that if he is not ever vigilant, bad things will happen and he will be to blame. It’s always his fault.

If you have read Brandi’s other excellent novels, Wimmera, The Rip, and The Others, you will be prepared for a trip into the darker side of life, of people living on the edge. Brandi is a master of telling a story from a selected viewpoint, so you live that person’s life but at the same time, as a reader, you experience the tension and the dread of sensing things aren’t going to go well. In this case, it is the voice of Jimmy, desperately wanting things to be happy, assuming a responsibility that is beyond his capacity. Simple things like nice cooked food, or even a sandwich with ham and relish, rather than the usual Vegemite or peanut butter, are savoured with delight. His big brother’s hand on his shoulder, or the kindness of teacher are all special moments. But they also are moments that can well up with suppressed emotion.

If it sounds bleak, be reassured there are kind, supportive people nearby – especially Don, the elderly bus driver, but also Auntie Pam, the teacher Mr Battista, and the memory of Nan. Even Mick has good words of advice. Jimmy has to come to understand that he is not responsible for other people, and that he can let his feelings out.

Brandi’s novel draws you into another world, and keep you held with the brooding tension. Whilst violence may occur, he spares you the graphic details – there are just the hints of what may have occurred, and the aftereffects that impact the characters. Both adults and teenage readers alike will find this a compelling read. I wouldn’t be surprised if it is another award winner.

Themes: Domestic violence, Childhood, Responsibility, Feelings, Loneliness.

Helen Eddy