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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great debut, August 21, 2008
This review is from: Feather Man (Paperback)
Rhyll McMaster's first novel is the turbulent coming of age story of Sooky, a young girl who lives in Brisbane, Australia at the start of her narration. Not long into the novel, she recounts an instance of sexual abuse at the hands of her adult neighbor, family friend, and amateur chicken farmer, Lionel, which sets the tone for the types of unhealthy and abusive relationships she will encounter throughout her life. Sooky's quarrelsome parents are blind to the instances of abuse, and as their interaction with their daughter increasingly consists of ignoring or berating her, Lionel's abuse morphs into welcome attention in the young girl's mind. When Sooky intimates that she "suffered people-burnout at an early age," it is not difficult to see why. As she matures and eventually relocates to England in hopes of becoming a professional artist, Sooky struggles in nearly all of her relationships, particularly those that include men. Although she is often the victim in such relationships, Sooky's sympathetic situation does not absolve her from perpetuating unhealthy alliances. She comes to believe that "simple pleasures are for inferior people," and seems determined to break ties with any benevolent figure in her life. After encountering no shortage of narcissistic, manipulative characters, Sooky herself has acquired these traits and manages to shun seemingly successful relationships while pining over Lionel's equally troublesome son, Redmond. Although Sooky is plagued by an inordinate number of volatile, abusive situations, McMaster imbues the novel with a dry humor that can induce actual laughter despite the largely bleak subject matter. It is occasionally difficult to sympathize with Sooky, and her decisions can be frustrating, but she is an intelligent, reflective character who is self-deprecating and witty. While she may be guilty of some of the behavior she abhors in others, Sooky's actions are often a painful reminder of the abuse she endured. Early in the story, McMaster writes that Lionel robbed Sooky of the "mundane, unexamined happiness of ordinary life," and despite her faults, one hopes that Sooky, having mastered the art of examining her life, finds some inkling of happiness even when she doubts that she wants it for herself.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
`I run inside my head and stand at bay.', September 26, 2008
This review is from: Feather Man (Paperback)
This is the story of a girl nicknamed Sooky. While readers can work out her real name, it isn't actually used in the text until nearly the end of the book. This use of a nickname is in many ways the key to the story. Who is Sooky? Sooky is largely defined through a series of relationships. Growing up in the suburban Brisbane of the 1950s, her childhood is defined by an abusive relationship with a male neighbour, her hero worship of his son and a sense of alienation as her parents reject each other and Sooky herself. Sooky's sense of self is battered and wounded by the time she travels to London in the 1970s. Sooky makes some questionable decisions and at times exhibits appalling judgement. Yet it is difficult not to feel at least some sympathy for her as she strives to find her own way in a world that has not generally been supportive and where many seek to stifle her individuality. `It is always a mistake to show your throat to the snarling teeth.' Rhyll McMaster is an accomplished poet. This is her first novel and while the world it creates is a dark place, it is full of evocative imagery and humour. It is not a light read but it is a rewarding one. Those of us, who grew up in the 1950s and 1960s (especially in suburban Australia) will recognise many of the descriptions of household life. Jennifer Cameron-Smith
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Coming Of Age Story, September 3, 2008
This review is from: Feather Man (Paperback)
Feather Man, by Rhyll McMaster, is a classic coming of age story. The narrator of the story is Sooky, an only child who lives in Brisbane, Australia. As a child, she is ignored by her parents, and sexually abused by the old man next door. She grows up yearning for someone to love and value her. Repeatedly, she turns to the people who abuse her, hoping that if she is good enough, they will love her. She keeps fighting for strength to overcome her demons and her past abuse. Because of her difficult childhood, Sooky struggles in her adult relationships with men. They are self-destructive and abusive. She eventually finds art and painting a solace. Rhyll McMaster is an amazing writer. The character of Sooky is someone with whom we can all identify with. We not only feel her pain but also her emotional detachment, which is a result of her past abuse. There is much for discussion here, especially with the compexities of the father-daughter relationship. The ending of Feather Man would also allow for a wonderful book club debate. This is not a light or particularly fast-paced read. But, if you're looking for a book with real substance and excellent character development, I think you'll enjoy Feather Man.
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