When do we stop being responsible for the choices our parents have made?
Philip Salom is an Australian poet and novelist. He has published eighteen books, mostly poetry books, which have won major awards in Australia and the UK. He is probably best known for his novel Waiting which was shortlisted for the 2017 Miles Franklin Literary Award. Born in Western Australia, Salom now lives in Melbourne.
The Returns is a novel about Elizabeth and Trevor. Elizabeth is a book editor working from home and is suffering from “face blindness.” She is only able to recognise people by their voices, body shape and gait. Elizabeth lives with her dog Gordon and drives an old EH Holden which she has owned forever. She decides to rent out her basement so puts an advertisement in the local bookshop owned by Trevor.
Trevor needs to move out of his matrimonial home as his marriage has fallen apart, so decides to take Elizabeth up on her offer. She is expecting a student, not a middle aged man. He is particularly attracted to the old shed in her back yard as he would like to begin painting again after many years.
And so begins a tale of life, with all its highs and lows. Trevor has a Polish father who disappeared, presumed dead, when he was a child of fifteen. Elizabeth has a mother who was a hippy, but who now lives in a house full of junk from top to bottom and is suffering from dementia. Elizabeth has a cranky neighbour who causes her grief. Trevor has a father who may not be dead after all. It is about Elizabeth and Trevor navigating through life and their eventual friendship.
This novel is difficult to read. Salom rarely uses the names of his protagonists and other characters, deciding to only use the pronouns he /she. As the other characters appear, the narrative became difficult to follow at times and I had to continually reread passages. As we follow the lives of Elizabeth and Trevor, Salom tells us every fleeting thought that passes through their heads and the dialogue is at times, overwhelming. It is like going on a trip but continually taking side roads and getting lost along the way. According to Wikipedia, “his writing is distinctive for its metaphoric richness and expansive vision. It bestows a multiplicity of incidental insights en route.” I agree wholeheartedly!
There are lots of references to Melbourne streets and places (eg. Queen Victoria Markets), and contemporary references like Adani. I wonder whether this will help or hinder the relevance of this book in the future and for people living outside of Australia.
With all this, the story deals with loneliness, feeling like you have no power in your life, and guilt, often passed on to us by our parents. When do we stop being responsible for the choices our parents have made? It is also a story about friendship. How, when we open ourselves up to the possibility, we become vulnerable, but can also be blessed. The Returns also gives us an insight into the world of book editing and the art world.
There is no doubt Salom has a way with words and if you are able to navigate the side roads, you may enjoy this novel.
Reviewed by Sue Mauger
Distributed by: Transit Lounge
Released: July 2019
RRP: $29.99
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