The book of Emmett

by Deborah Forster. Random House, 2009.

Deborah Forster’s novel, The book of Emmett is a powerful and emotional work that begins with the funeral of Emmett, the father in the story. Forster has written an emotional tale of domestic violence with simple yet engaging language. Set in the western suburbs of Melbourne, where Forster grew up, the novel traces the complex relationships between brothers and sisters and the love and pain that evolves between them in this house of violence. It brings together some strong images of growing up in this period and how children forgive but are still damaged by a violent upbringing

- Wendy