Review of Bombora
Posted: 11 Sep 2022, 11:25
[Following is a volunteer review of "Bombora" by Paul Drewitt.]
Bombora by Paul Drewitt is the coming-of-age story of a young boy named Andy. Set in Australia, Andy and his friend Mick spend their days trying to get high on life. They are in a desperate search for anything that will make them feel alive in their sleepy town. After meeting a town legend named Glash, the boys find new ways to feel fear and eventually find themselves competing for his approval. Relationships, unfamiliar emotions, and existential thoughts plague Andy and he must find a way to appear “normal” despite his raging desire to escape simplicity.
This book expertly encapsulates the teenage experience. No matter who you are or where you live, you can read Bombora and relate to Andy’s thoughts and feelings. His struggles with his confidence are something anyone can understand. Drewitt deftly incorporates problems that every young person experiences, including problems with self-worth, individuality, and validation. This story puts into light how hard it is to be your own person, especially in your adolescent years. Andy finds it difficult to fit in and spends most of the book longing to be one of the guys. Conformity is the safest option, but it can be the worst in the long run. Furthermore, Drewitt’s imagery throughout the book illustrates a colorful town that anyone would dream of being a part of. The safe feel of Robe, South Australia contrasts well with the reckless activities the boys participate in.
On the downside, there are some topics in the book that can be triggering for some people. There is explicit sexual content, drug usage, rape, and profanity. These topics do not dominate the book, but they can be hard to read for some, so that must be taken into consideration before reading. Moreover, the ending was quite rushed. It was comforting to know more about Andy’s life, but it was also overwhelming to have it all happen with little explanation.
I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. The book seems to be professionally edited and the author crafts a lovable and relatable character. You spend the book rooting for Andy despite his flaws. Bombora will make you contemplate certain aspects of society: the encouragement to be just like everyone else, the dispiriting of thrills, and the tendency to force people (especially boys) to repress their feelings. A book that motivates the reader to think is a book worth reading. I recommend this book to mature audiences who are in need of an adventure in a quaint town.
******
Bombora
View: on Bookshelves
Bombora by Paul Drewitt is the coming-of-age story of a young boy named Andy. Set in Australia, Andy and his friend Mick spend their days trying to get high on life. They are in a desperate search for anything that will make them feel alive in their sleepy town. After meeting a town legend named Glash, the boys find new ways to feel fear and eventually find themselves competing for his approval. Relationships, unfamiliar emotions, and existential thoughts plague Andy and he must find a way to appear “normal” despite his raging desire to escape simplicity.
This book expertly encapsulates the teenage experience. No matter who you are or where you live, you can read Bombora and relate to Andy’s thoughts and feelings. His struggles with his confidence are something anyone can understand. Drewitt deftly incorporates problems that every young person experiences, including problems with self-worth, individuality, and validation. This story puts into light how hard it is to be your own person, especially in your adolescent years. Andy finds it difficult to fit in and spends most of the book longing to be one of the guys. Conformity is the safest option, but it can be the worst in the long run. Furthermore, Drewitt’s imagery throughout the book illustrates a colorful town that anyone would dream of being a part of. The safe feel of Robe, South Australia contrasts well with the reckless activities the boys participate in.
On the downside, there are some topics in the book that can be triggering for some people. There is explicit sexual content, drug usage, rape, and profanity. These topics do not dominate the book, but they can be hard to read for some, so that must be taken into consideration before reading. Moreover, the ending was quite rushed. It was comforting to know more about Andy’s life, but it was also overwhelming to have it all happen with little explanation.
I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars. The book seems to be professionally edited and the author crafts a lovable and relatable character. You spend the book rooting for Andy despite his flaws. Bombora will make you contemplate certain aspects of society: the encouragement to be just like everyone else, the dispiriting of thrills, and the tendency to force people (especially boys) to repress their feelings. A book that motivates the reader to think is a book worth reading. I recommend this book to mature audiences who are in need of an adventure in a quaint town.
******
Bombora
View: on Bookshelves