Reviews

The Man in the Water by David Burton

kieranmarks's review against another edition

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5.0

Such a gripping mystery with an extremely satisfying ending. I will never get sick of reading books set in Australia, this book feels like home. I also greatly appreciate the list of mental health resources at the end of the book :)

missusb21's review against another edition

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4.0

This is a mature crime thriller, entirely appropriate for senior boys. David Burton, author of his memoir, How to be Happy, has composed a realistic and familiar story, set in a Qld mining town. His main character Shaun solves the mystery without too many incidental or contrived situations. Shaun is invested because he discovers the body, is attracted to a family member, and has little else to do with his time in this small community. Plus, there’s the distraction it offers from the ongoing grief of losing his father.

His best mate, Will, an aboriginal boy is a contrast and counterpoint to the intensely determined Shaun. His large happy family and easy going manner provides support and acceptance when everyone else seems to regard Shaun with suspicion and concern. The tragic circumstances surrounding this particular mysterious death create a sadness reflecting Shaun’s mental state, and his mum’s insistence that he sees a counsellor is a welcome touch.

Ultimately, Burton is making a political comment, a message for both governments and corporations about a topic that young people are unfortunately too aware of: power and corruption often go hand in hand with injustice and disregard of individuals who try to eek out a living from an increasingly uncaring society.

This writing is strong and authentic.

helenfarch's review

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4.0

What do you do if you find a dead body floating in the lake, but no-one believes you?

Why does everyone think that you are just making it up because of what happened to your dad?

This is what happens to Shaun in The Man In The Water by David Burton He lives in a remote mining town, where everyday life is a struggle and the survival of the town relies on the big mining companies.

This book makes you feel what is like to live in a town that is struggling just to survive. You feel the heat and the dust and the remoteness.

There is mystery surrounding the missing body - who is it?

And once that mystery is solved, why did the body disappear before Shaun could return with the police?

As Shaun and his best friend Will set about solving these mysteries, you get caught up in the twists and turns, false leads and the dead ends along with them.

But underneath the thrill of solving the mystery, the author also allows us to further our understanding of the struggles the families face, the despair of their uncertainty for the future, their courage and resilience in the face of that uncertainty, and opens our eyes to how real this struggle is for so many in rural Australia.

gillyreads's review

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4.0

Enjoyable read.

Full review: http://www.gillyreads.com/review-the-man-in-the-water-by-david-burton

firstbreaths's review

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adventurous emotional mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I think this would be a good book for teenage boys as it deals with issues like toxic masculinity and domestic violence in a subtle but meaningful way. As someone who grew up in Queensland I also think it was excellent in its depiction of small town life and the impact that mining has on regional communities. However, The Man in the Water was also a sign that I'm growing out of YA books, because I definitely had more sympathy for the adults who told two boys not to get mixed up in a murder investigation than anything else and I didn't think the mystery was that riveting or suspenseful. This feels like a slightly more diverse version of something I would have read in high school English... which is a good sign for the future of #loveozya. 




Expand filter menu Content Warnings

bellamyblake's review

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mysterious medium-paced
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

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