A BOOK LOVER’S REVIEW
Nine Perfect Strangers RICH PATTERN
Family Party Mix I'm trialling a new method of avoiding conflict about household jobs with my family. It's basically just ignoring them. (The jobs, not the family). By Liz Foster. In the past, when feeling overwhelmed by the sheer volume of casually kicked-off shoes in the living room or screwdrivers on the kitchen bench, I used to blow my stack. Now, I leave them to pile up until I can't stand it anymore, when they all get swept up and thrown en masse into the relevant person's room. (A truly aggravating side effect of this approach is the sarcastic eye roll accompanying the droll 'calm down Mum', but still, needs must). The only alternative to this is to A) tidy away everyone else's stuff yourself, or B) nag. A) is effective but leaves me grumpy and resentful. B) is totally ineffective and leaves everyone grumpy and resentful. I'm reminded of a hilarious clip on YouTube by comedian Troy Kinne. His girlfriend is ranting about having to do all the domestics as well as work full time, cook the dinner etc while he reclines on the couch. Happily he shows her his secret - a 'magic' laundry basket. “I don't know how it happens, but somehow, the next day, dirty clothes are just clean and folded!” he says. “You're not serious,” says his girlfriend, staring at him. “I couldn't believe it at first either!” he exclaims. “I would have told you sooner, but I didn't want to jinx it!” There must be some magic afoot, because when I move around putting away other people's stuff, I'm invisible. But as soon as it comes to throwing anything out, my haul is spotted from fifty metres. Anything put out for the council clean-up just boomerangs straight back inside. When I put out some leftover carpet from a renovation ten years ago, my husband went right back outside and brought it back in. He'll even check through all the rubbish bags I've filled (but only once they're outside). Maggie Dent, the childhood educator and one-time busy single mum of four boys quickly realised chores like washing were in fact never ending. Including steps like folding and ironing just created more backlog and took up precious time. So instead she would dump all the clean washing on the spare single bed, like a giant pick 'n' mix. I love that idea. The magic laundry basket and coffee table remain elusive on eBay, but I could turn the spare room into a Family Party Mix. All I need to do is close the door. 14 TVO NOVEMBER 2018
BY LIANE MORIARTY I am a big fan of Liane Moriarty’s work. I have read all eight of her novels - some of them twice and always eagerly await the next. . Review by Jacqui Serafim. The first one I read was What Alice Forgot - a hilarious, yet poignant picture of how we can change between our dewy-eyed 20s and the demands of the family-driven 40s. Moriarty delivers a perfect portrait of playground politics and competitive parenting and how easy it is to forget what matters as we forge ahead ticking the boxes on our oversized to-do lists. Then there’s the grittier reality of Big Little Lies (now an award-winning TV series) which explores domestic abuse, playground bullying and the judgement of other parents. In Moriarty’s latest novel Nine Perfect Strangers, her varied characters are all in pain and searching for answers. Moriarty is a genius at drawing character - unique, whole individuals with pasts and dreams and self-delusions, responding to their circumstances and the people around them. As a resident of Sydney’s suburbs, where so many of her novels are set, it is particularly special to recognize my world and my community in her novels. Moriarty’s new novel, Nine Perfect Strangers, demonstrates again her gift for character, but this time takes the story outside the suburban setting. Nine people are brought together to participate in a 10day transformational health and wellbeing program at Tranquillum House in the northwest of NSW. There’s Frances, a romance writer in her 50s, battling a failing career, a broken heart and menopausal symptoms. Ben and Jessica are a young couple struggling to save their failing marriage. The Marconi family are bruised and broken by devastating loss. Lars Lee, a charming divorce lawyer, is facing the potential breakdown of his own relationship. Carmel is an exhausted mother of four whose self-esteem is crumbling in the wake of her recent divorce. And Tony, a lonely, ageing, formerly famous AFL star who has lost all sense of meaning and purpose. As this eclectic group come together to try and change their lives in some significant way, we are introduced to Masha, the self-styled guru who runs the resort, with her own secret past and a radical plan for her guests. As Masha pushes to effect transformation in her guests, the action escalates beyond anything the nine could anticipate. But for me, this almost caricatured megalomaniac visionary, Masha; her slave-like assistant, Yao; and the ‘transformational program’ which crosses all boundaries, are just not convincing. I didn’t love this book as much as some of Moriarty’s previous novels, but there is still a lot to enjoy. In her classic style, the characters are engaging and largely sympathetic. Tranquillum House is the 21st century’s answer to the monastic retreat where food is limited, alcohol is banned and silence is mandated. Lost individuals willingly put their lives and independence in the hands of questionably qualified practitioners. Moriarty’s take on the wellness retreat, and what attracts us to it, is both hilarious and terrifying .
