A Book Review for Kate
Despite the success of both authors in their respective artistic fields and the public attention that comes with that kind of success, the book is largely a picture of an everyday family. Trips around Australia and backyard antics give it a distinctly local feel and place the Watt/McInnes family among many other families you may know.
Although the authors wrote separately, every chapter is connected in some way. Their styles complement each other, and it is almost as though they are interacting throughout the book. McInnes writes the way you would expect him to: thoughtful, funny and with a strong awareness of himself. His dry humour and stories of his tendency to get grumpy make him a very human and relatable voice. Watt's storytelling is equally warm, and will stir up emotions at many points. Both are incredibly honest in their writing about life's more difficult challenges.
The people mentioned most often- the children and parents of both authors- become familiar over the course of the book and by the end a real sense of knowing and understanding this family is developed. The book is scattered with lovely photos of their lives and especially the ocean, which as readers will learn, is an important place for both authors. The final chapters are incredibly moving, and it is difficult to do justice here to the power of Watt's writing as the book comes to a close.
Reading this book makes you feel very lucky that two such clever and thoughtful souls were willing to share their lives with you for a few hundred pages. It is funny, heart-breaking and thought-provoking all at once. This really is a very special book.
Reading this book makes you feel very lucky that two such clever and thoughtful souls were willing to share their lives with you for a few hundred pages. It is funny, heart-breaking and thought-provoking all at once. This really is a very special book.
