Rhubarb

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• Zero Stars

  excellent Aussie debut novel

  Reviewed by Marianne V. | see all reviews by Marianne V.

  11/05/2011

  Rhubarb is Craig Silveys first full-length novel. The main characters are the quirky Eleanor Rigby, a petite blind 21 year-old who lives with her reclusive mother, Estelle; and the equally reclusive Ewan Dempsey, aged 23, agoraphobic, maker and player of cellos. Eleanor is ably led by her guide dog Warren (who wishes he had a better name than a habitat for rabbits). Warren guides her by day and guards her by night, but cant guide her in her Dreams. Eleanor is always on the move through the places she knows, but feels shes going nowhere. One day, however, she hears Ewan Dempsey playing his cello on his front verandah (its almost Christmas, its Fremantle, its hot inside) and is drawn to the sound. Of course, Ewan withdraws and Eleanor has to take the initiative just to talk to him. This is a meeting of two people damaged by their past, who manage to connect and save each other. This novel is filled with genuine characters, clever dialogue, humour and even a bit of slapstick, as well as some elegant prose: The hazy fur of drygrass along the hills, quilted with dull granite and foliage.; To the east, the moon is out with a herd of early stars. As though they have crept from the ether to watch the sunset. The running together of words and the Capitalisation of Significant Words is vaguely reminiscent of Rushdie. A joy to read.
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