A beautiful story of a boy who learns to accept himself for who he is.
Bernard Gallate has worked in the animation industry with both Hanna-Barbera and Disney, studied acting, conducted climbing tours of Sydney Harbour Bridge and written and illustrated books for younger readers. He is interested in Sydney’s past and he has used this passion in The Origin of Me, his first foray into the writing of novels.
The Origin of Me is the story of fifteen-year-old Lincoln Locke. His parents have separated and he is living mostly with his father. He is, much to his displeasure, now attending an elite high school in one of Sydney’s nicer suburbs. Starting at a new school where the expectation is that you achieve in all areas, you need to also negotiate new rules, class mates and of course the school bullies. Bullying is unfortunately not uncommon, but when your parents give huge amounts of money to the school, you become untouchable.
Lincoln also has an affliction, one which potentially can cause great embarrassment and which he goes to great lengths to hide. Being a reluctant member of the swimming club poses problems. Through lots of angst, negotiating and wrong turns, Lincoln hopes to find friendship and acceptance.
One day Lincoln discovers a nineteenth century book on the shelves of the school library, titled My One Redeeming Affliction. Lincoln is immediately drawn to the book and takes it from the library. His reading of this autobiography by Edwin Stroud is then interwoven between the story of Lincoln. Edwin also lived in Sydney and we discover that the lives of both Lincoln and Edwin have many parallels. Initially, it is difficult to differentiate between the story of Lincoln and that of Edwin because there is nothing that separates the two stories in the text. Both stories are written in the same font with no clue as to when one stops and the next one begins. Luckily it becomes easier the further one reads.
Also in the beginning, the amount of information to absorb is overwhelming, along with the number of characters. As the story progresses though, it becomes clear why Gallate has cleverly written a cast of characters at the beginning of the book. It makes it easier to keep track of everybody and to fall in love with the characters and their stories.
A particular character favourite is an old hermit who lives near to Lincoln’s apartment building who he meets and befriends. Also, Lincoln’s memories of his dearly missed Pop Locke, whose passing has left a huge hole in his life, gives the story a touch of sadness.
The Origin of Me touches on many big themes: racism, homophobia, bullying, families divided, family love, friendship, class division, differences, first love and the aged, but mostly it is about celebrating our differences and accepting ourselves for who we are.
This was a beautiful story with well-rounded, interesting characters and a worthy first novel.
Reviewed by Sue Mauger
Distributed by: Penguin Books Australia
Released: March 2020
RRP: $32.99
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