There is always a story. There are two stories I have with this book before I head into talking about the actual book. I did a very small favour for a friend. It was such a small favour and cost me nothing. Annie heads a blog about books, check it out! She gave me a voucher for a bookshop local to her, one I’ve been wanting to shop in but Abbey’s Books is in Sydney and I’m in Melbourne…just a little problem, especially when we’re in lockdown. I took the chance given me by the voucher and bought this book. It’s been on my radar since it first came across my social media. The author, Briohny Doyle, taught me at uni. She taught me three subjects and survived the experience. Doyle spoiled me for most of my other tutors and lecturers, she was one of the top three. Remembering her classes I knew that I would read her books one day.
Echolalia is beautifully written. In the pages of this book I can see what Doyle taught me. I can see how she’s got a good back story and information she’s not used about all the main characters. They are fully fleshed out in her mind and that comes through in the writing. The descriptions in each mise-en-scène are spot on, in some cases I can see it all playing out in my mind as if I’m watching a video rather than reading a book. And mise-en-scène is something Doyle taught me about.
The descriptions of Emma’s post natal depression are good it makes me wonder if I had a small dose of it. The psychologist in the book is right, it’s fairly normal to have post natal depression, but it doesn’t have to be normal and can be treated.
Doyle’s depictions of bullies and their behaviour, while noting that this behaviour is bullying rather than gentle teasing is worryingly close. The time where she shows us Emma’s husband laughingly telling her how he was part of the group who pushed the boat shed out into the water is rather similar to some antics my uncle used. He told us how he and some friends carried the principal’s car up the stairs to the top of the building. It’s dreadful behaviour and my uncle remembered it with pride. In the book we read how Robert, Emma’s husband, had similar feelings about pushing the boat shed out into the water.
I could go through the book and give you more examples of why you should read this but I won’t. Instead I’ll give you an affiliate link in case you want to buy and read it for yourself.
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