Description
This road trip will have earth-shattering consequences . . .
Twins Justine and Perry are about to embark on the road trip of a lifetime in the Pacific Northwest. It's been a year since they watched their dad lose his battle with cancer. Now, at only nineteen, Justine is the sole carer for her disabled brother.
But with Perry having been accepted into an assisted-living residence, their reliance on each other is set to shift.
Before they go their separate ways, they're seeking to create the perfect memory.
For Perry, the trip is a glorious celebration of his favourite things: mythical sea monsters, Jackie Chan movies and the study of earthquakes.
For Justine, it's a chance to reconcile the decision to 'free' her twin, to see who she is without her boyfriend, Marc, - and to offer their mother the chance to atone for past wrongs.
But the instability that has shaped their lives will not subside, and the seismic event that Perry forewarned threatens to reduce their worlds to rubble . . .
Review
Written by a Brisbane born author, now living in Canada, who ties both countries together in this excellent coming of age road trip novel.
Told in two alternating viewpoints, those of twins Justine and Perry.
Justine is the sole caregiver for Perry, who is on the autism spectrum, after their father died from cancer a year earlier.
Justine plans to meet up with their mother who abandoned their family when they were four years old and didn’t contact them again until two years ago.
The story tackles separation issues, particularly whether Perry will go into an assisted living facility, relationship problems, and many other situations involving Perry’s condition. But most of all, the story follows two wonderful people moving into adulthood.
Dotted with excerpts from a diary that their Dad had written since they were both born, this adds insight, warmth and, at times, tears. A marvellous novel for all teenagers.
Reviewed by Rob
