Evelyn runs a busy laundromat in suburban Melbourne. She’s single and fiercely independent. Her attention to detail sees this mundane occupation run with military precision. Her inner life, however, is rich with imaginary adventures, though these do sometimes bleed into her reality. Her imagination encompasses those in her community, giving each of them interesting backstories. She seems judgemental and interfering but is a kind-hearted busybody. She’s the self-appointed neighbourhood good shepherd, trailing a forgetful Phillip back to his flat making sure he returns safely.
Despite her disinclination to seek help, she allows Don from the paint shop to help her paint a feature wall in the laundromat. Evelyn takes a particular interest in Ben, an eight-year-old who comes every Tuesday with his mum, June. There are overlaps with her own childhood and Evelyn decides the boy needs her help.
From these simple beginnings, a story of the power of love and possibility emerges. Evelyn’s past lives are briefly mentioned. This is not reincarnation, but a decisive move to make a fresh start.
A Solitary Walk on the Moon follows Evelyn and is deceptively simple. There’s depth to the characterisation hidden beneath Evelyn’s childish mannerisms. Hinton also has the ability to turn the abstract feelings and emotions felt by Evelyn and Ben into concrete images. This cleverly emphasises their similarities, innocence and love for one another.
Evelyn’s own childhood was unloving and uncaring. This is the spur for her love of Ben. Her care for him and June and her increasing attachment to Don see them form a family of sorts. Evelyn has made a success of her new life here … will it be enough?
Reviewed by Bob Moore
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Hilde Hinton avoided being a writer for many years. But after her critically acclaimed debut novel, The Loudness of Unsaid Things, made a number of bestseller lists, everything changed.
Now the stories won’t stop. Hilde, dedicated big sister to Connie and Samuel Johnson, lives in a boisterous house in Melbourne with a revolving door for the temporarily defeated and takes great pride in people leaving slightly better than when they arrived. Her children are mostly loved. And so are her books.
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