The Sirens Sing is a coming-of-age novel. It revolves around three characters, two of whom have just finished their HSC and are about to launch themselves into adulthood and all that involves. Love, angst, rejection, disappointment, and the search for meaning in your life.

The author presents us with two timelines. David, who has just finished school, and his mother, Jan, reflecting on her adolescence while undergoing therapy. The two timelines are two completely different stories. Neither satisfactorily resolve the issues raised, but then again, what adolescent resolves his/her issues? We just get older, more mature, and move on with our lives. Thornell also offers some commentary on politics and reminds us that Australia wasn’t (and still isn’t) a classless society.

The Sirens Sing is well written with well-rounded and developed characters. The setting in the Blue Mountains is well described and influential in the plot. It offers insight into growing up and, although this book was not to my taste, for some people this will strike just the right note.

Reviewed by Anthony Llewellyn-Evans