Review:
Spare Room by Kathryn Lomer
University of Qld. Press, 2004 ISBN 070223477X
Louis Braille Audio, 2004. ISBN 0732028981
Read by Stuart Halusz
Lomer has written a thoughtful novel that explores the cultural
differences between Australian and Japan. Her personal
experience of living in Japan and teaching English has given her an in
depth understanding of what it is like to live in another country. She
also has the ability to describe differences in language usage in a
very humourous way.
The story opens with the main protagonist, Akira, a Japanese student,
as the narrator of the story, relating his experiences to his friend
Satoshi. Expected to take over his father’s business, Akira finds it
difficult to adjust to the prospect of that and the demands of
studying. The reader gets a glimpse of life in Japan and the pressures
of family and education that Japanese teenagers face.
Akira is sent to Tasmania to study at university and to improve
his knowledge of English before he commences work with his father. His
experiences living with his host family, the Moffats, give an insight
into the many language and custom differences that a person coming from
another culture has to contend with.
However, it is the relationships between Akira and his host family, the
Moffats, and the gradually emerging mystery around a missing family
member that grip the attention of the reader. Akira becomes
fascinated with the complexities that surround the Moffat family and
how each member reacts to what has obviously been a harrowing
experience. He is drawn to Angie, the eldest daughter, although she
appears to bitterly resent him and refuses to help him adjust to life
in a new country.
Akira gets to know the Moffats and is drawn into the tense atmosphere
in their home. The suspense surrounding the person who had once
occupied the spare room is maintained well by Lomer. The reader is
drawn into the emotions and reactions of members of the family to the
grief surrounding the missing family member as well as to the budding
romance between Akira and Angie. The conclusion although satisfactory,
was a little rushed.
One of the most attractive features about the book is the outgoing
personality of Akira who is a very likeable main character. He
is optimistic, friendly and eagerly takes advantage of the
opportunities and freedom that he finds in Tasmania. He has the ability
to forge friendships and to learn new skills. The other characters are
not described as fully by Lomer. The reading by Stuart Halusz is
convincing.
This would be a useful novel to explore cultural differences and
students who were hosting a student from overseas, or were planning to
study in another country would find it interesting.
Pat Pledger
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Consulting, 2007