by Jon Bauer
(chosen by Domestic Goddess)
Domestic Goddess chose this book after she saw the Miles Franklin long-list in The Age. She googled each of the titles, and when she saw that this novel dealt with the issue of fostering (which has not been covered by any of our previous book choices), she chose it.
About the author:
Jon Bauer is originally from England but has spent the last ten years living in Australia and recently been granted permanent residency to Australia under a Distinguished Talent visa.
Rocks in the Belly was published in Australia and New Zealand in August 2010. It won Best Debut Novel at the Indie awards (as voted by Australia's independent booksellers), as well as being long-listed for The Miles Franklin.
Jon Bauer loves writing short fiction and until a few years ago avoided longer works, focusing on writing very short and short stories and plays for the stage and radio. His work has been broadcast on national radio; performed at Melbourne’s Arts Centre; and featured in many story collections.
He now works full time as an author, on three projects: two novels and a collection of short stories.
(General biographical detail from the author's website)
What the publisher says about the book:
Rocks in the Belly is about a precocious eight-year-old boy and the volatile adult he becomes. During childhood his mother fosters boys, despite the jealous turmoil it arouses in her son. Jealousy that reaches unmanageable proportions when she fosters Robert, an amiable child she can’t help bonding with. Until the bond triggers an event that profoundly changes everyone. Especially Robert.
At twenty-eight the son returns to face his mother. He hasn’t forgiven her for what happened to Robert. But now she’s the dependent one and he the dominant force — a power he can’t help but abuse.
Written in two startlingly original voices, Rocks in the Belly is about the destruction we wreak on one another in the pursuit of our own happiness; how we never escape our upbringing; and a stark reminder that the most dangerous place for a child is within the family.
A compelling, powerful, and yet beautiful and funny novel.
What we discussed about the book:
- Did we like the Dad? Was was likable/unlikable about his character?
- How authentic was this version of an "Australian" childhood? Were we surprised to find out the author had not grown up in Australia?
- Was this a humorous book? What were the examples of humour?
- What was the power of the phrase "carried, but never held"?
- In what ways did we empathise with the main character's perspective on events?
- What was the mother's motivation in fostering? What part did unresolved grief play?
- In what ways did the scenes with the cat remind us of We Need to Talk About Kevin?
- Could the main character's behaviour as an adult be explained in relation to his childhood experiences? Is it possible to take accountability for changing the way events play out?
- Was the mother dead before he put her in the bath? Do we need to know one way or the other? What effect does not knowing have on us as readers?
- Was there any element of kindness in the way he dealt with his mother?
- Was the adult main character making a point about 'strangers' in his home with hanging the photo portraits, or was he just messing with his mother's mind?
- Was the young main character responsible for the accident that occurred? Had he thought through the consequences of his actions?
- Did the main character put all his pain into alcohol and sex?
- How was the snake in the belly related to the rocks in the belly? Were the rocks a profound sadness, while the snake was in some way malicious?
- What had happened in the period between Robert dying and the main character going to Canada?
- Was the sexual dalliance with the nurse plausible?
- Did we like the child's voice - non-judgemental, unedited? How did the two voices (the child and the adult) differ?
- Did Reg offer the main character the attachment he was searching for?
- The interplay of our past, present and future...what impact does childhood have on the the adult you become?
- Did the author have any experience of being part of a foster family? (See interview here for explanation of his interest in the idea of fostering)
- Was it likely that the main character had been abused by one of the previous foster children?
- Would any of us consider fostering? If so, would you have conditions (i.e no children older than your own)?
In other news, we discussed:
- Overseas holiday plans
- How complex some people's lives can be
- How good Downton Abbey is
- "Who owns the problem" in relation to dealing with teens, and choosing your battles
Ratings:
Range: 6 to 9
Average: 7.06
Next book: The Group by Mary McCarthy (chosen by KM)
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