Coming of Age Fiction Archives -

For Love of Zachary by Kathleen V. McLennan

McLennan gives a voice to the many children that have lost family and hope as they are shuffled between government departments. The story is one of redemption through friendship. Instead of being shown compassion when traumatised and simply trying to survive their circumstances, these children are often blamed. Set in Australian suburbs, this novella talksContinue reading “For Love of Zachary by Kathleen V. McLennan”

The Loudness of Unsaid Things by Hilde Hinton

This is an Australian novel that addresses the deeply complicated relationship the main character Susie has with her mentally ill mother. She is an outsider who moves to Melbourne with her father, leaving her mother behind. Miss Kaye is the works at a psychiatric hospital and tells of how you can live and not justContinue reading “The Loudness of Unsaid Things by Hilde Hinton”

The Lying Life of Adults by Elena Ferrante

This is a coming of age story about an Italian middle-class girl called Giovanna. She lives in Naples and the story opens with her questioning the unconditional love her father has bestowed on her. She overhears her parents talking. Her father blames her failing grades on her transformed likeness to ostracized Aunt Vittoria. This propelsContinue reading “The Lying Life of Adults by Elena Ferrante”