The secret history of the Rainbow Trout Private Hotel by David Metzenthen

Taking a gap year, Andy Lightfoot ends up at the atmospheric Rainbow Trout Hotel, set in the Australian alpine high country and occupied by a strange and diverse group of residents and guests. Here he discovers truths about himself and life in general that he had never contemplated when living in his small township on the Murray River with his traditional family.

Metzenthen has created a world in which the hotel and the environs are as much characters as the family and visitors themselves. He has created a wide assortment of individuals, including a reclusive actress, wild musician, thoughtful greenie, aggressive redneck, mercenary con-artist, philosophical artist, long distance runner, Buddhist ladies, simple sidekick etc, etc. A number of strong young women complete the cast. Sometimes this feels as if he is methodically working through a list of different stereotypes in order to expose Andy to a series of ethical questions, but they are sharply-drawn and come together in an engrossing plot, with intrigue aplenty.

Andy’s adventures encompass the range of outdoor activities; bushwalking and rock-climbing, running, rowing and fishing, building a horse yard and surviving a blizzard; a list that gives him a chance to experience everything the environment has to offer, and reflect on his place in it.

Throughout the book, the plot is well-paced and combines both adventure (and a holiday romance) and philosophical musings, including brief explorations of different religious beliefs, in a balanced way.

Metzenthen raises a number of contemporary concerns, including addressing mental health issues, caring for the environment, and acceptance of others, but these are delivered with a light touch.  The overall tone of the book is of an adventure-filled coming-of-age story, set in an easily recognised Australian landscape, with a cast of distinctive and engaging characters.

Teachers' notes are available here.

Themes: Nature, Environment, Philosophy, Coming of age, Adventure, Family, Identity.

Margaret Crohn