Description
Exploring the true story of the St Kilda merry go round during World War 1, by Australia's most revered verse novelist.
In Melbourne's St Kilda, as World War 1 begins, Anton, a German immigrant fulfils his dream of creating the most beautiful steam-driven “riding gallery” - a merry go round – in the world. Evelyn, who has just moved to the city befriends local boy Rory, but the war, and anti-German sentiment, soon takes its toll on the children, Anton, their families, and the riding gallery itself.
Based on true events, this is a cleverly structured, multiple point-of-view story, including poems created from contemporaneous newspaper headlines, and Sally Murphy at her finest form.
Review
Evelyn is moving from the country to St Kilda. She can’t wait to be near the sea, and she also hopes that she can find a new friend.
Luckily, her new next door neighbor is Rory and he seems ok for a boy. Rory and Evelyn become friends and happily explore St Kilda together. She loves going on the rides run by Mr Weniger who comes back to St Kilda Esplanade every summer.
Then World War One is declared and life is suddenly different, as Rory’s three brothers all sign up to go and fight. For Mr Weniger, his dream of building the best steam driven riding gallery in the world has come true and he opens it to everyone. Evelyn loves the beautiful horses and wonderful music.
But not everyone is happy with Mr Weniger. He is German, and even though he has Australian Citizenship some people don’t trust him - including Rory. But Evelyn thinks he is the nicest and friendliest man ever. Suddenly the war which seemed so far away is causing problems close to home, and threatening to spoil Evelyn’s and Rory’s friendship.
This is based on the true story of the St Kilda merry go round, and is told from multiple points of view. In true Sally Murphy style, it is beautifully written and evokes the time period it is set in perfectly.
It’s a wonderful story of friendship and resilience, and gives an insight into how difficult it was during the war for all families. Will perfectly suit those aged 10 and up.
