shelleyrae's review against another edition
5.0
Left behind in Gunapan by her lousy husband with her two children, Loretta Boskovic drives the dusty road from her house to town, staring out at the scrubby bushland dreaming of rescue by a handsome lover and a car radio that gets something other than racing commentary. In this unique, wryly observed novel, Paddy O'Reilly captures the essence of a lonely Australian bush town and it's ordinary residents with humour and heart.
The author's protagonist is a woman you will find in any small town, she is a single mother juggling child raising with work, a budget that only allows for discounted undies and a longing for an intimate relationship. Loretta copes with the spareness of her life with a wicked sense of humour, and roll-up-your-sleeves and get-on-with-it attitude. Her children are everything to her, even though she regularly fantasises about being whisked away from their whining demands. Raising her two children on her own isn't easy, they miss their father and his sudden (though mercifully brief) reappearance seems to trigger their worst instincts leaving Loretta floundering.
Loretta isn't completely alone, her neighbour, Norm - a laconic and slightly eccentric collector - is her dearest friend and champion. Her best friend is also a single woman on the prowl and in a community like Gunupan everyone knows everyone else.
In an unconscious effort to stave off her loneliness, Loretta rallies the community in an effort to stop the closure of their school and when that is accomplished, finds a new cause involving a shady development deal and corruption Councillors. In a small town like Gunapan the community is the lifeblood of the town and depends on its' residents to fight for it to stay alive.
It is rare to find Australian novels with a vivid sense of place but O'Reilly evokes this tiny town in the middle of nowhere, slowly dying as services and amenities disappear. Public swimming pools are drained and sports fields are unplayable thanks to the extended drought and the youth grow up and leave for greener pastures. These towns rarely get much attention in fiction with the dazzling Sydney Harbour or wild, romantic outback providing more popular and scenic backdrops.
Loretta's every day life in an ordinary town makes for a surprisingly compelling story. The Fine Colour of Rust is a character driven novel that also addresses a variety of themes such as social injustice and inequality within a subtly layered plot. It will make you laugh and cry and is a fine example of contemporary Australian fiction that captures the essence of who we are, and who we want to be.
The author's protagonist is a woman you will find in any small town, she is a single mother juggling child raising with work, a budget that only allows for discounted undies and a longing for an intimate relationship. Loretta copes with the spareness of her life with a wicked sense of humour, and roll-up-your-sleeves and get-on-with-it attitude. Her children are everything to her, even though she regularly fantasises about being whisked away from their whining demands. Raising her two children on her own isn't easy, they miss their father and his sudden (though mercifully brief) reappearance seems to trigger their worst instincts leaving Loretta floundering.
Loretta isn't completely alone, her neighbour, Norm - a laconic and slightly eccentric collector - is her dearest friend and champion. Her best friend is also a single woman on the prowl and in a community like Gunupan everyone knows everyone else.
In an unconscious effort to stave off her loneliness, Loretta rallies the community in an effort to stop the closure of their school and when that is accomplished, finds a new cause involving a shady development deal and corruption Councillors. In a small town like Gunapan the community is the lifeblood of the town and depends on its' residents to fight for it to stay alive.
It is rare to find Australian novels with a vivid sense of place but O'Reilly evokes this tiny town in the middle of nowhere, slowly dying as services and amenities disappear. Public swimming pools are drained and sports fields are unplayable thanks to the extended drought and the youth grow up and leave for greener pastures. These towns rarely get much attention in fiction with the dazzling Sydney Harbour or wild, romantic outback providing more popular and scenic backdrops.
Loretta's every day life in an ordinary town makes for a surprisingly compelling story. The Fine Colour of Rust is a character driven novel that also addresses a variety of themes such as social injustice and inequality within a subtly layered plot. It will make you laugh and cry and is a fine example of contemporary Australian fiction that captures the essence of who we are, and who we want to be.
charmaineclancy's review against another edition
3.0
Amusing characters that any country dwellers would find easy to relate to. Amusing vignettes stringed together to create a life, a family and a community.
I almost gave up halfway as the story dragged and it seemed it wasn't going anywhere except to reflect on the amusement of everyday life, but the second half of the novel picked up and I became interested in the outcome.
Good Aussie read.
I almost gave up halfway as the story dragged and it seemed it wasn't going anywhere except to reflect on the amusement of everyday life, but the second half of the novel picked up and I became interested in the outcome.
Good Aussie read.
ookie's review against another edition
2.0
It was ok for an easy read but the characters were shallow & stereotyped & the jokes cliche
maree_k's review against another edition
5.0
It's always a good feeling when a book you've been looking forward to reading meets your expectations. Everything about The Fine Colour of Rust worked for me: the familiar country town landscape, the eccentric characters, the small town political intrigue and the ups and downs of family relationships (particularly the all too typical self-absorbed deadbeat dad who is keen to leave his former family behind). There are some scenes that are absolute gems: the minister's tour of the butcher's abattoir to see the champion meat slicer and dicer at work was hilarious. However, the author is equally adept at writing tougher emotional scenes without descending into mawkishness.
O'Reilly's writing is authentic and honest, with good pacing and lots of love for her characters (even the dickhead ones). The main character, single mum of two Loretta, is one I absolutely empathised with and her dry, self-effacing humour drives the narrative. It's a very Australian novel and yet the universal themes of friendship, community and fighting against the odds for the "little guy" will resonate with readers from all over. Highly recommended.
O'Reilly's writing is authentic and honest, with good pacing and lots of love for her characters (even the dickhead ones). The main character, single mum of two Loretta, is one I absolutely empathised with and her dry, self-effacing humour drives the narrative. It's a very Australian novel and yet the universal themes of friendship, community and fighting against the odds for the "little guy" will resonate with readers from all over. Highly recommended.
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