I've just finished the book, "The Children", and can now understand why it received all those glowing reviews from professional reviewers.

I suppose because I went into it with the idea that it wasn't going to be anything special and had no real story to it. So, instead of reading the book for it's story, I read it for it's writing. That's something I rarely do, as I mostly use books as an escape, not as a lesson in literature.

I felt the book was beautifully written, very Australian and with great imagery. I could imagine all the places and the people. The author's descriptive writing was clever. She described tiny nuances in people's expressions so the reader could imagine the thoughts of the character without having this to be explained.

I disagree with those that mention in their critique that there wasn't a story line. The story was about the family itself. The way they were all separated from each other and were forced back together through tragedy. The sibling relationships were beautifully explored. The hurts, the misunderstandings, the rivalry were brought forth as they had to cope with their father's impending death.

The character of Tony was like a catalyst. He appeared to Mandy as a creepy weirdo and, just when she had an opportunity to mend the broken relationship with her brother, it was Tony's presence that prevented this. So, Tony's final act then brought them together and helped them begin to understand each other.

Oh, and I do agree with Stephen and Mandy when they were looking at those casts of baby's hands and feet. They are so gross! They look just like chopped off bits of baby.

I give this book an 8 out of 10.

Megan