Jimmy, in Grade 5 of primary school, lives in the fictional town of Mittigunda, halfway between Sydney and Melbourne. It’s 1986 and the Southern Aurora – the train between the two cities – passes through Jimmy’s town. He lives with his mum and his younger brother, Sam, who has special needs. His older brother, Mick is in jail following both a car accident which killed his best friend and an assault. Jimmy’s mum has a boyfriend, Charlie, who treats her poorly.
The narrative is told in naïve form from Jimmy’s point of view, which Brandi handles very well. The plot follows Jimmy and his friendships at school with Danny and Chadwick, as well as his relationships with his mum and Charlie, and his older neighbour and Sam’s bus driver, Don. The family is waiting for Mick’s return from jail. Jimmy wants his family back together, but also feels that Mick will protect his mum, as Charlie is showing signs of increasing violence towards her. Mick’s return might also help steer his mum away from the drink.
The drink in question is Kaiser Stuhl. This is but one of the cultural signposts of the ’80s. The narrative has a consistent checklist of cultural moments, in particular tv shows from that era. (A little nostalgia is good, but it is overdone at times.)
A billycart race is arranged by Jimmy’s teacher, and it tests Jimmy’s school friendships but also helps solidify his relationship with Don, who, along with Sam, restores Mick’s billycart. The narrative builds up to the crescendo of Mick’s release when his presence alters the lives of those involved. The narrative is well-told and well-constructed but doesn’t reach its full potential.
Reviewed by Bob Moore
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