August book: Jasper Jones by Craig Silvey

chosen by Kim

Book Description:

Jasper Jones is set in the small, fictional mining town of Corrigan in regional Western Australia. It is 1965 and the innocence and isolation of the state is threatened by the draft sending young men to Vietnam and by a serial killer named Eric Edgar Cooke.  

Against this backdrop, thirteen year old Charlie Buktin’s reading is interrupted one suffocatingly hot night by a tapping on his window. It is Jasper Jones, the town’s mixed race ‘bad boy’ and all purpose scapegoat, who has come to ask for Charlie’s help. Together Charlie and Jasper attempt to unravel the mystery of what has happened to Laura Wishart, the Shire President’s missing daughter. 

In this coming of age story, Charlie must question his conventional notions of what is right and wrong as he navigates small-town morality, racism and hypocrisy. 

What we discussed about the book:

Does knowing the author's age impact on how you feel about the author's voice?  

Most of us felt Charlie's 'voice' was much older than a typical thirteen year old's.  We enjoyed the banter between the boys, but many didn't like the 'Australianisms', felt that some of the talk was reflective of 'conversations around the bong that should not be included' and that it was a bit predictable.

That led us onto Australian literature in general, with many not liking it and considering it either too 'ocker' and stereotyped, or too steeped in history and uninteresting.  Although interestingly, most liked Bryce Courtenay!!

We discussed why the book is named Jasper Jones, when he really isn't the central character, and felt he represented the bigotry and racism the book depicts.  We also felt the storyline of keeping a secret of this magnitude was contrived and unbelievable. 

The 1960s setting of the book was very appropriate to the events that unfolded.  Despite the White Australia policy being dismantled and the backdrop of the Vietnam War, fear and prejudice were still rife, and this is clearly depicted by events in the novel.

We talked about being an insider and an outsider, and found it interesting that Jeffrey, despite being bullied and an 'outsider', managed to stay cheerful and upbeat.  We admired his resilience and found him easily the most likeable character of the book.

Movie characters:

Jasper - a young Nick Cave, Noah Taylor (Jack)

Charlie - 

Jeffrey - 

Charlie's mum and dad - 

Laura

Eliza - Dakota Fanning

Jack Lionel

And then we got sidetracked onto:

Things that ruin innocence - rumours being spread about you at a vulnerable age.  Makes you realise life is more complicated than you thought as a child.  People can't just do whatever they like; can be very damaging to others.

Daniel Morcombe's twin.  How did the accused person ever get out of jail when you consider what he had already done.  How do you introduce your child/family to someone you know whose child has died.  Made us think about how we live our life. 

9/11.  Rebirth.  What are we doing?  Life is too short.  Don't waste it.

The popularity of old TV shows and remakes of movies eg Funniest Home Videos, Young Talent Time with Rob Mills - and Dirty Dancing with Peter Andre!!  What is that all about??

Movies that made us cry - Kim/Bree - Philadelphia, Bridget - Closer, Alana - The Colour Purple, Pen/Alana - Schindler's List, Sharon - Slumdog Millionaire.

And in other news:

We talked about various illnesses/diseases members of the group and their families have suffered such as leukaemia, lupus and breast cancer, and how that makes them live their lives.   Do you live life to the fullest and forget consequences such as financial security, or do you live conservatively.  If you are able to find out if you have the gene, do you want that knowledge?

Ratings

Ratings average: 6.43

Ratings range:  5 to 8