Review: HER by Garry Disher

Publisher Hachette Australia

Length 209 pages
Format paperback
Published 2017
Series standalone
My Copy borrowed from the library

Her is an atmospheric and enveloping timepiece of early 1900’s Australia where isolation and deprivation are all, and trinkets and compliments are commodities unheard of for the youth central to this story.

I've not read many books that have had such a lasting effect as the characters, Lily in particular, has on me. Sold to the man commonly referred to as the ’Scrap Man’ as a child, Lily knows nothing but the harshness of his hand and word alike. Living on an farm, somewhat segregated from the greater population, Lily, Big Girl, Wife and Scrap Man carve out a living by making goods of questionable quality and selling them to unsuspecting buys in various towns throughout Victoria.

This is a dark and unnerving book at times that has a broader message of family and resilience that isn't fully realized until after the book is finished.

Her is full of complex and lyrical prose and is a joy to read.  

My rating: 5/5 stars.