Photo by Kane Hibberd
TIM HENWOOD MORE THAN JUST AN ANDROID Photo by Kane Hibbard
Contents 04
when passion meets project THE BAND WAGON ASTER AND ANNE
09
ten tips for starting your passion project 32 Bars in 32 bars AUSTRALIAN JAZZ The MEETING AT THE Crossroads
14 19
INSIDE SYLVIA PLATH
HORNET CREW FASHION SHOOT
24
BUSINESS spotlight - BENNETT & CO
26
film noir review - blade runner
32 BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT - JUDE STUDIO 36 DENISE ON FICTION - CANTICLE CREEK 35 42
PPS ALBUM REVIEW - THE SPECIALS
GIG GUIDE - jimmy hornet
40
pop to the shop
The Hornet Press 229A Swan Street, Richmond VIC 3121 thehornetpress.com Editor - Anthea Palmer Contact - info@jimmyhornet.com
when passion meets project Given our catch-cry is "Create What You Will" we thought it essential to discuss Passion Projects and the benefits thereof. We LOVE a good P.P., and whether you’ve crocheted a rug, written an e-book, or even curated an Instagram feed, we think you’re brilliant! Far from a time-waster, the benefits are enormous, and the results may be surprising or even life-changing. Our hope is that this article will inspire you to get back onboard with your passion project, or even better, start a new one.
What is a Passion Project? There’s much talk about side hustles in the business world. So what is the difference between that and a passion project? The basic answer is that a passion project doesn’t have to earn you money. We believe it’s more about tapping into your creativity and piquing your curiosity. Adding business-orientated goals may eventuate, but are optional. A side hustle, on the other hand, is done primarily for profit, with this as the driver, rather than a genuine interest in the product or service provided. So why spend time and energy on a passion project if the benefit is not financial? Read on.
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Why Have a Passion Project? KNOW THYSELF You may have an amazing career that’s both challenging and pays the bills, but you are not your work. You are a collection of diverse interests and values. Through a passion project, you can immerse yourself whilst untainted by outside expectations, responsibilities, or pressure. This assists in the cultivation of identity, as you discover more about yourself. By doing what makes you feel alive, you’ll find yourself connecting to what’s important. It may lead you down a different path from the one you're used to treading.
CREATIVE EXPERIMENTATION A passion project provides a realm for experimentation. You can create purely for yourself – and don’t have to share it anywhere, or with anyone. It’s a time to experiment with something risky while you test your skill, learn new techniques, or explore a new style. It allows you to step outside of resultfocused cycles, and let your hair down creatively!
career advancement Aside from the personal benefits listed above, a passion project may also further professional progress. With your unique and authentic self fully activated and engaged, you can be wholly present and at work. The fulfilment received from your personal creation may well be the saving grace of your day job and help step up your career. Then there's the opportunity to expand from a passion project to a side-hustle and then full-blown business. Imagine being able to create exactly what you want, and make a profit from your efforts.
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TEN TIPS FOR STARTING YOUR PASSION PROJECT TIP 1
CHOOSE YOUR PROJECT
Choose something you’re HONESTLY passionate about. Don’t do it because everyone else is into it. Instead, look closely at your life and experiences, and see whether this idea is something that has stuck with you, or is just a passing interest.
TIP 2 CONSIDER DEMAND If your project is just for you, and you have no want to satisfy others, then congratulations! You can skip this step. But if you’re hoping to make some moula, or eventually quit your day job, you have to find a concept that has some existing demand.
TIP 3 MAP OUT YOUR TIME Consider how much time you have to spare, and how much you will need to allocate to your passion project. You want this to be a stress-free and joyful experience, so don’t burden yourself with an unrealistic allocation of time.
TIP 4 END GOAL What final outcomes you’re looking for? Do you want to create a single work and then move onto the next passion project, or is this a long term masterpiece? You can keep it loose, without setting it in stone, but at least consider the end game.
TIP 5 RESEARCH Look at comparative projects to solidify ideas, and importantly to discover the relative success achieved. Don’t reinvent the wheel, learn from the strategy of others, and then make it your own.
TIP 6 DO IT FOR FREE Start out supplying your product or service for free, at least for a while. You want creative freedom and removing any financial transaction will encourage this mindset. It’s also a great way to build your confidence without the pressure of customer expectation. Build up your references and reviews, in exchange for your freebie offering.
TIP 7 TAP INTO YOUR SKILL Consider which tools you already have in your belt, to enhance your project. If you love to write, consider a blog based platform. A good photographic eye may provide for a powerful Instagram grid. If you’re good at face to camera stuff, start talking about your passion project via youtube immediately! None of the above? Everyone is good at something, dig deep!
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STEP 8 MAKE CONNECTIONS Follow creators who are working in a similar space. Seek out any suppliers you may need and make contact. Join competitors mailing lists or follow their social media, and contribute to the conversation in a meaningful way. Just like in business, networking around your passion is essential for support and growth.
STEP 9 NOTES AND ANALYTICS It’s going to take some experimentation, and you’re not going to get it right the first time, but noting where you went wrong is paramount to avoiding further stuff-ups. Likewise, analyse what is working for you, note it, and do it again! Also consider what aspects of the project you are enjoying, and which you could do without. It will help to keep you on the passion path, instead of it becoming laborious.
TIP 10
DON’T QUIT YOUR DAY JOB … TOO EARLY OR AT ALL
If you end up in a place where your passion is bringing in some bacon, don’t get too ahead of yourself. Before quitting your day job, ensure you take the time and care to build a solid business base. Remember that creativity without the chains of monetary transactions was the reason you got into this. You may find it easier to tolerate the daily grind knowing your free time can be spent doing something you truly love.
INSIDE SYLVIA PLATH BY JACK LYNCH Sylvia Plath’s name is often first and fore-mostly associated with her death - in popular culture, she has become “the woman who shoved her head into an oven”. People who have not ventured into her work often associate her as a symbol of teenage, feminine angst and rebellion. But underneath her frequently misunderstood symbolism - for those who delve deeper into her life and art, lies a deeply complex, talented, and hard-working woman. Sylvia Plath was born on October 27th, 1932 in Boston, Massachusetts where she began writing from an early age - her first poem was published at the age of eight in the Boston Herald’s children section. Even in her childhood, it was evident that Sylvia had a passion for writing: entering numerous competitions and achieving high academic results in school. Despite all her scholarly successes, she was severely affected by the premature loss of her father at age eight, stating in one of her last prose pieces, that the years before his death had “"sealed themselves off like a ship in a bottle—beautiful, inaccessible, obsolete, a fine, white flying myth." Her father’s death and its psychological impacts on her became a theme throughout her poetry works. Sylvia began her tertiary education at Smith College - an elite, all-girl university that she attended on a full scholarship. During her time at Smith, she won a scholarship to intern at Mademoiselle magazine in New York when she was 19 - the experience was not as glamorous as she thought it would be, and became the basis for her novel “The Bell Jar”.
Sylvia continued her studies in literature at Cambridge University in the UK, under a Fulbright scholarship. This is where she met her future husband Ted Hughes, who would also become a distinguished poet. Their relationship would be fraught with violent passion, but the pairing of their creative minds led them to fuel each other's writing careers.
The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt" After her studies, Sylvia moved to the UK to pursue her writing with her husband. She produced two volumes of poetry, and a novel before she took her own life at the age of thirty in 1963 - her suicide being attributed to her marriage breakdown and ongoing mental health issues.
The Bell Jar Plath was one of the first poets in the 20th century to speak openly from a female perspective about mental health struggles and societal expectations. Her first and only novel, “The Bell Jar” was published under a pseudonym in 1963, only a few weeks before she died, and was based on her experience of a suicide attempt and consequential breakdown during her college years.
I like people too much or not at all. Whilst the premise of the novel is dark, the narration from the heroine, Esther, is witty and wryly humorous. The Bell Jar is a modern, feminist classic and is important because it has the ability to put the reader into the mind of someone who is mentally ill with humor, insight, and blunt honesty.
Poetry Plath’s poetry, especially her last collection, “Ariel”, written only weeks before she died, fuses her personal experience together with expertly crafted prose. Plath was one of the first poets of the 20th Century to pioneer the ‘Confessional’ poetry movement - where poets turned their focus to their own internal psychological experiences. Plath’s poetry stands out against her contemporaries for her ability to use her words like weapons - cutting straight to the heart of the reader with precision and emotional intensity. For anyone interested to learn about the fascinating life and art of Sylvia Plath, there are numerous biographies and scholarships available to read and I would recommend reading “The Bell Jar” and “Ariel” as an introduction to her work. Sylvia, in spite of all her struggles with mental illness and her untimely death, still managed to produce an astounding amount of work - whose themes are just as relevant today, as they were 50 years ago. Sylvia will continue to hold an important place in the literature world - haunting and inspiring future generations with her unique voice.
HORNET CREW FASHION SHOOT #1 What better way to support local fashion designers, photographers, and hair and make-up artists than with our very own fashion photo shoot? To make it interesting, The Hornet Press is utilizing its staff base as models. Introducing the crew behind our brand; Jack Lynch (left), Anthea Palmer (center), and Lexi Ukosich (right). We've combined the talent of Jude Ng (fashion designer), and Brent Bennett (hair, make-up, and photography, to bring you the Hornet Crew Fashion Shoot #1.
design by jude BENNETT & CO
DID YOU LEARN ANYTHING ABOUT YOURSELF FROM THE PHOTO SHOOT? Anthea: I still have a long way to go in accepting and being happy with how I look, particularly as a middle-aged woman. Jack: I learned that I enjoy the process of shooting - getting my makeup done, trying on clothes, and discovering different looks. Lexi: It brought back memories of the younger version of me, always wanting to be a model, but I was too short to pursue it seriously. Sometimes random events bring back old memories.
WHAT DID YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT THE PHOTOSHOOT PROCESS? Anthea: The collaborative effort of all involved was wonderful. Jack: I enjoyed having fun with Anth and Lex, and having a laugh during the shoot Lexi: The best part about the photoshoot was having my make-up done professionally instead of the rushed job I normally do.
WHAT WOULD YOU DO DIFFERENTLY FOR THE NEXT SHOOT? Anthea: I will stop making a resting-bitch-face in every pose. Jack: I'd like to get a bit more experimental and "out there" with looks and poses. Lexi: Next time I will make sure I’ve lost some weight. It’s motivation to get me back to the gym on a more regular basis. This will make me feel more confident next time.
HOW DID YOU RESPOND TO THE CLOTHING CHOSEN FOR YOU? Anthea: I was grateful for the comfortable fit of the clothing, and that Jude's garments suit a multitude of shapes and sizes. Jack: I loved the clothing! Jude's clothing is so versatile and edgy - whilst also being extremely comfortable! Lexi: I imagined different clothing but loved that they were clothes I would not usually choose to wear.
You offer hair, make-up, and photography services, which do you derive the most joy from? To be honest, I think it's probably makeup. There is so much power in altering perception and empowering the client.
What do you find most challenging about running your business? For the past 2 years, it's obviously been a constant balance of sink or swim. I've had to pivot the brand into a personally curated retail portfolio to maintain some level of income. A range that I knew would ultimately support and complement my brand once back open. Those retail lines include; a full haircare range, barbering range, comprehensive skincare range, scented candle collection, and a few pet grooming products.
What's the craziest hair or make-up request you've ever had? This is a funny question and surprisingly, a seemingly frequent request. I've been asked a number of times to change a clients 'look' drastically, the day they separate with a partner. I generally try to talk them off the edge because ultimately it's going to be an emotionally charged, reactionary response that they will come to regret.
BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT Who is your ultimate hair icon, and why? Anyone who isn't common. Anyone who owns who they are owns their aesthetic and wears it comfortably and honestly. Of your extensive product range, which is your favorite? Ocean Mist Sea Salt Spray - The Ocean Mist, with Hibiscus Flower Extract, is a light hold spray. This is all you need to achieve that messy, second-day look. Mineral-rich fine sea salt helps to add volume whilst providing a natural matte, effortless finish with a light tropical scent. Perfect for lived in curls, buildable texture or thickness for short hair.
What plans do you have for your business in 2022 and beyond? Potentially add a team member in salon and explore wholesaling my retail portfolio to other salons and retailers.
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Directed by Ridley Scott, 1982 by Steven Scheloske Blade Runner is an incredibly personal and important film for me. Full confession – I did not see it when it first came out. Perhaps I was a tad too young, plus while not the theatrical flop that some make it out to be, it wasn’t exactly showing at high rotation.
IIn 1982 Australia there weren’t exactly a lot of screens, and most cinemas were interested in showing this other more family-friendly, easier-to-follow Sci-Fi film that was released only three weeks earlier called E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial. For these reasons Blade Runner simply slid under my juvenile theatrical radar. This is despite it featuring Harrison Ford who, at the time, was the coolest person on earth. After all, he was both Han Solo and Indiana Jones! I do recall older neighbourhood kids mentioning it in 1982 – none of them liked it. They said it was slow, boring, and most said they didn’t know what was going on. The few reviews that I read or heard at the time were also very mixed. Fast forward two years and Harrison Ford had completed the Star Wars Trilogy and reprised his role of Indiana Jones in Temple of Doom, and I was going to see Blade Runner for the first time!
THE PLOT On face value, the story of Blade Runner is simple enough. Former “blade runner”, Rick Deckard [Harrison Ford] is forced back on the job to “retire” (destroy) four replicants (superhuman like robots almost impossible to discern from humans) that have come to earth to meet their maker and extend their lives beyond the four years that they have been programmed to stay “alive” for.
Blade Runner is what I like to refer to as a gateway film. They open the doors to your imagination and create a hunger to explore more. For me, it instigated a lifelong interest in legendary philosophical Sci-Fi author Philip K Dick. It also started my fascination with the dystopian future. But most importantly it made me realize that I was in love with film noir – not that I knew the term at the time.
THE LOOK AND FEEL Stylistically Blade Runner was (and still is) like nothing else. Critics have been quick to quip that director Ridley Scott spent more time on the visuals and set design than directing the actors. This could be debated but I doubt it. The sets, the visuals are impressive. They are as important to the story as the dialogue. The look and the feel are so fresh and futuristic, but at the same time, so heavily steeped in film noir. Everything is dark and gloomy; daylight is never (really) seen, characters emerge from the shadows via a heavy cloud of cigarette smoke, or through the striped backlight from a Venetian blind that is so strong that it forces you to squint at the screen to identify who they are. People are crammed together in a decaying and overpopulated modern city. Then there is the seemingly endless rain that never manages to wash away the filth of the city. The rain plays a similar role to the heat in the classic film noirs of the 40s.
THE PERFORMANCES Much has been said of the performances. Harrison Ford’s depiction of Rick Deckard is that of a classic film noir detective. The character is clearly inspired by Humphrey Bogart’s character in The Maltese Falcon. Both appear to be hardened ex-establishment guys, who are streetwise and have tried to remove themselves from the conventional system. Ford might not be the greatest actor in the world, but he certainly embodies the character while successfully playing tribute to its film noir roots. Many have criticized his voice-over. This has resulted in it being reduced and even removed from various re-releases of the film. Rumors circulated that he hated doing them and deliberately did a bad job. Recently he has gone on the record to say that this is not true and that he tried his best – he just “wasn’t that good at it”. Personally, I love the voice-over. It was the first thing that really drew me into the film. It was so reminiscent of the old black & white B-grade films that I had seen on Saturday nights and Sunday afternoons. Similarly, Sean Young who plays Rachael, the replicant that does not know she is a replicant, and Deckard’s love interest, delivers her lines in the same way a shy confused victim would deliver them in a classic 40’s noir film. If Ford is Bogart, then Young is Bacall… with a little less confidence. There is also no questioning that her look is inspired by Joan Crawford in Mildred Pierce.
Then there is Rutger Hauer’s character Roy Batty. Roy is the leader of the four replicants that have come to earth to extend their lives. While fiercely determined and robotic in nature he displays a greater love of life than anyone else in the film. He is the so-called bad guy, that you kind of feel for. His character is reminiscent of Frankenstein’s monster – some might say a perfected version of Frankenstein’s monster. His monologue at the end of the film hits you more than the punches he gives Ford’s character. If this isn’t Hauer’s greatest performance, then it’s definitely his most memorable one.
THE themes Another similarity Blade Runner has with the classic film noirs of the 40s is that it has a great story that lies beneath the surface, much like Invasion of the Body Snatchers was to McCarthyism. Blade Runner is fiercely anti-large corporation. The corporation depicted in Blade Runner is the one responsible for creating the replicants. It’s called Tyrell and boasts grandiose slogans such as “more human than human”. Tyrell and its creators are a company/man that will stop at nothing to expand their reach and power.
I WAS QUIT WHEN I CAME IN HERE. I'M TWICE AS QUIT NOW.
This segues beautifully into the many thought-provoking themes of Blade Runner. There is the theme of large corporations and our acceptance of them producing products that may help us with a task or duty, but also take away something from within us. As the film was set in 2019, a year that is now in the viewer's past, people have cynically commented on how far from reality the film is. But I do not see it that way. Sure, we don’t have flying cars, nor are we living in dilapidated, polluted cities where the sun NEVER shines BUT we have embraced online social platforms with what seems like little consideration of the impact that it has on hearts and minds. Technology is moving faster than we know how to deal with morally. Therefore, I believe the film is incredibly relevant to our times. The film also explores the theme of love: What does it mean? and What does it consist of? and Who decides this? Even addressed is the role of women in a world being ruled by corporate men. But most importantly there is the theme of life; the gift of life, its meaning, its value, it purpose. What drives us to live, where are our values? I challenge anyone to cover all of Blade Runner’s discussion points during a single dinner table conversation.
As mentioned earlier Ridley Scott was criticized by some for focusing more on the look than the actual film. While I do not believe this, I am certainly glad that considerable effort has been made to create this believable dystopian future. From the classic Coke-a-Cola billboard at the beginning and the massive Pyramid that is the Tyrell building. The cityscapes with one monolithic tower after another, placing the people down below into even further darkness, visually heightens the theme of large corporations growing despite what their impact means on others or the environment. Syd Mead is the industrial designer who assisted Scott to create the world of Blade Runner. His other works include Aliens and Tron. He clearly is a visionary, that can bring the most grandiose figments of imagination to reality.
THE SOUNDTRACK Adding to the visual atmosphere is the aural one. The futuristic electronic score by Vangelis was just as groundbreaking as everything that is taking place on the screen. It perfectly matches the dark and depressing world that is being seen.
CONCLUSION While Blade Runner is an entertaining film it is also a film to watch seriously. It is not your average lighthearted sci-fi. It is a film that is set in a dystopian “future” that both thematically and visually is aware of its heritage and our presence. It is a richly rewarding experience that will resonate with the viewer for years to come.
A uniquely artisanal creative space for photography, film, workshops and events, set in the heart of eclectic Fitzroy. JUDE Studio is a rare and welcoming space, ideally set up for photography and film projects, workshops, exhibitions, and events. It is also a calm and inspiring workspace for writers, illustrators, graphic designers, or anyone involved in a clean and quiet studio practice. The brainchild of fashion designer Jude Ng, it's a charming Victorian terrace above a high-end fashion shopfront in the heart of vibrant and eclectic Fitzroy. A tranquil space set right in the heart of Melbourne’s artistic soul.
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The Specials "Encore" 2019 Who would have thought that UK ska revival band The Specials could exude such greatness forty years after their debut self-titled album? 2019’s “Encore” was put together by a somewhat reduced lineup with Jerry Dammers, Roddy ‘Radiation’ Byers, and Neville Staple parting ways since their 2009 reunion. Their drummer, John Bradbury died in 2015 and so it was left up to Terry Hall, Lynval Golding, Horace Panter, and a number of special guests to pick up the musical pieces. It would be The Specials’ first new material with vocalist Terry Hall since their 1981 single, "Ghost Town." What we get is a fusion of ska/reggae, funk, traces of Cuban jazz, disco and spoken word.
The fast and furious ska/punk leanings of their earlier work are not as openly expressed; and what we hear lyrically are highly topical subjects of a Brexit divided Britain, racism, poverty, political oppression, mental health, and misogyny. A rendition of The Equals’ “Black Skin Blue Eyed Boys” sets the tone for the album of laying down the weapons of racism. Though arguably simplistic lyrically, the sentiment is hopeful and is hypnotically utilising a groovy 1977 disco sound with 1977 disco strings to match. The production is tastefully dry and compact, with guitar noodling carefully weaving its way along a road travelled by its funky rhythm section.
Virtue signaling and political sloganeering in music are a real turn-off for this reviewer but what is refreshing in the lyrical direction is the humanity and personal experience that rings true in the myriad of grievances presented. None are starker than the song “B.L.M.” which is an account of Lynval Golding testifying of his migrant experience after he and his father arrived in the UK to help re-build the nation after the war.
One of the standout tracks is “Vote For Me” which has a striking familiarity with “Ghost Town.” Its dark overtones and disdain for the political class are underpinned by a kooky horn section, strange key changes, and a generally uneasy nature punctuated with tasteful piano and a beautifully understated rhythm.
“You're all so drunk on money and power inside your Ivory tower Teaching us not to be smart, making laws that serve to protect you But we will never forget that you tore our families apart.” (Vote For Me)
“The Lunatics (Have Taken Over The Asylum)” first appeared as a single in 1981 by Fun Boy Three, who was a side project that developed as The Specials were splitting up. The African-influenced rhythm of the original is transformed into a reggae tango. The monotonous drone chorus is infectious as it ever was. “Breaking Point” sounds like Tom Waits’ musicians from Swordfishtrombones had secretly recorded an alternate version of Waits’ “Underground.”
“Blam Blam Fever” is an update of the 1967 Valentine's single about gun culture and gun violence. Pointing the finger at the second amendment from the US constitution, Hall exclaims “we think it is obscene you can buy AR-15.”
The Specials always knew how to adapt ska classics and a surprising version of Prince Buster’s “Ten Commandments Of Man” has been repurposed and turned on its head. Gone is the lyrical sexist humour of its day, replaced with a new version proclaiming “The 10 Commandments of I, Saffiyah Khan.” Khan at the time was a 21-yearold observer at a rally and was photographed standing up to an angry English Defence League protester in Birmingham. The photo went viral and Khan was sporting a Specials T-shirt.
“Pseudo-intellectuals on the internet They tell me I'm unhappy because I'm not feminine Failing to consider that I may be unhappy Because it's 3 AM and I'm in the depths of YouTube Watching them... whining” (10 Commandments)
The genius of the song is that Khan is the lead voice and narrates her version of what it’s like to be catcalled and how “...thou shalt not tell a girl she deserved it because her skirt was too short.” It is a rare case of taking things of the past in a song such as Prince Buster’s and finding new meaning in the modern-day.
“Embarrassed By You” asserts “...you make your livin' by robbing from others… pull up your hoodies, are you undercover?” It targets those that seek to undermine the freedoms that were so hard fought by previous generations. “The Life And Times (Of A Man Called Depression)” is a unique look into the head of Terry Hall and the battle with his mental health. It is done in 5/4 timing with guitars and horns mixed with a fitting tribute to The Doors’ song, “Riders On The Storm.” So much so that the reviewer was looking for John Densmore, Robby Krieger, Ray Manzarek, or Jim Morrison in the writing credits. Not so.
The album’s closer “We Sell Hope” is an apocalyptic look at the current state of the world that has been prophesied about for hundreds, even thousands of years. “White is black, black is white, right is wrong, wrong is right, if night is day, then day is night.” As sad as the story is, “we've gotta take care of each other” develops the lyrical arc of the song and plainly implies that hope is all we have. There are no direct answers to our divisive society but our humanity is what can get us out. So I say to The Specials, “thank you.”
By Victor Stranges
DENISE on fiction CANTICLE CREEK by Adrian Hyland
I love a good murder mystery. Two of my favourite Australian authors are Peter Temple and Garry Disher. I find them hard to beat. But Adrian Hyland’s Canticle Creek (Ultimo Press, 2021) has nudged them along to make room for itself on my shelf of favourite police procedurals.
We first meet officer Jesse Redpath in the town of Kulara in the centre of the Northern Territory. It’s hot, dry country, and the locals are described with uncompromising candour and humour
‘Bandy Quayle, the baker, came out of this shop, stood there smiling a cheroot and scratching his balls, a wonderful advertisement for his bread. Like most of the white fellas in this godforsaken little town, he looked like he ws wondering what on earth he’d done to deserve a place like this. The generator was broken down, yet again: no water, no air-con. Toilets would be blocking up all over town.’ Her dad is an artist living close by, and together they support a young Aboriginal man called Adam when he gets himself into a bit of bother. Adam is charming, curious, talented, engaging and something of a ratbag. Despite their help, it’s not long before he hytales it out of town. When Adam’s body is recovered in rural Victoria as a result of a car accident that brings to light the murder of his girlfriend, Jesse refuses to believe Adam is the killer and sets out with her father in tow to investigate. Jesse is nothing if not determined, and despite all the obstacles she meets along the way, including several gun-toting villains, she keeps digging. She is assisted by her father Ben and a challenging but equally determined local teenager called Possum. The path to truth is circuitous, but Jesse prevails. There is not a skerrick of doubt that the author knows the landscape from which he fashions this tale. You feel the heat in Kulara and you imagine you’ve met all the locals. Hyland thanks the Warumungu people of Central Australia, with whom he lived for ten years, for their insights into ‘life, language, and land’, which infuse every aspect of his story. As someone who lives in a small South Australian country community, the town, surrounds and people of Canticle Creek in Victoria felt familiar and believable to me.
Why do I recommend this book? I like Jesse. She is both selfdeprecating and self-assured. I barracked for her all the way through the story. The supporting cast is beautifully drawn; Possum is a sometimes frustrating treat of a kid, the baddies are loathsome and her father Ben played only a bit part hero, but played it perfectly and consistently. The descriptions of landscape are just enough to place you in the story, without demanding unnecessary attention. There are no flat spots and no marking time for no purpose. Hyland is already an award winning author, having scored the 2007 Ned Kelly Award for best debut crime novel in 2007. Canticle Creek cements his reputation.
by Denise Picton
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