A beautiful and heart-warming young adult novel about grief, friendship, romance and an endangered bird.
Feature image credit: Text Publishing
Miranda Luby is an Australian author, freelance journalist and copywriter whose debut novel Sadie Starr’s Guide to Starting Over was shortlisted for the Text Prize. After writing an article in 2020 for the Australian Geographic about the critically endangered plains-wanderer bird, she has now given it a central place in her second novel, The Edge of Everything.
When a rare bird flies into the window of Lucy’s bedroom, she sees it as a sign. Maybe there is some meaning in her life after all. Is this bird the one who will be able to fill the hole in her heart? She decides to take it to a local sanctuary where she meets Ben, the son of the sanctuary’s director. Unfortunately, the father recognises Lucy and her life takes another downward turn.
This is a story of grief and romance. Lucy had a beloved older brother Charlie, who unfortunately died after hitting his head when he slipped over at a pool party. How do you ever get over something like that when the world keeps going on around you but you are consumed by grief every waking moment? And how can you talk to anyone about it when they have no idea what it is like, and your parents are growing further apart with their own grief, and you feel helpless?
The Edge of Everything may sound like a story that will bring you down, but there are surprising funny moments throughout which break up the pain and overwhelming sadness. The dialogue and texts between Lucy and her friends is often very witty.
The themes of first love and friendships are also central to the plot. Lucy thought she had a best friend and maybe even a possible boyfriend before her world came crashing down around her. As readers we become aware that what someone says may only be the tip of the iceberg and maybe further discussion is warranted rather than giving up.
The Edge of Everything poses many thought-provoking questions about the meaning of life. Why are we here? Is there more to life than just this existence? Is there a greater being out there somewhere? Why do bad things happen? Why do I deserve to live when others don’t?
While the plains-wanderer is a big part of the story, other endangered animals and birds are mentioned and the need to protect all our wildlife is central to the narrative.
The Edge of Everything is so well written, it is hard not to just keep reading. It asks us to think about our own lives and where we fit into this crazy world, but also how all living things are connected and how we need to look after everything. This story may also help those who have a friend struggling with a life-altering catastrophe know what to do or say. It may also validate your own feelings and help to navigate teenage life.
The Edge of Everything is also suitable for parents of teenage children as it gives an insight into how the world has changed since they were young. If you are dealing with grief in your own families, maybe you will discover options of how to deal with the overwhelming heartache.
A highly recommended, really good read!
Reviewed by Sue Mauger
The views expressed in this review belong to the author and not Glam Adelaide, its affiliates, or employees.
Distributed by: Text Publishing
Released: April 2025
RRP: $22.99
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