Tumbleglass by Kate Constable

It is a little sobering to discover that times and events that you remember experiencing in 1999 and 1972 are the destinations in a timeslip novel, and are described as equally exotic and unfamiliar as a trip back to 1900 or 1940s. However, it is amusing to recognise clothing, music and events as seen through the eyes of a Gen Z character.

Set initially in contemporary Melbourne, Tumble Glass is a timeslip novel set firmly in Australia, with 13-year-old Rowen and her older sister Ash visiting a number of periods of history where significant social upheaval was happening. They experience the parties of the 1990s, Aboriginal activism of 1972, young soldiers being farewelled to WW2, and domestic life in 1900, all based in their family home as it was in the various time periods.

As they interact with younger versions of their parents, Ash and Rowen risk drastically changing the future, and Rowan discovers she has a special affinity with the house. Ash becomes stuck in 1990 and before her family forget her, Rowen is tasked with retrieving glass items from various eras, that their neighbour Verity can fashion into a magical object to enable Ash’s return.

Constable’s research into the customs and language of each period is woven seamlessly into the story, and Rowen’s faux pas as she refers to items or customs from 2020s, and her mother's malapropisms add amusement and contrast.

This is a well-paced story with lots of low-key action, likeable characters and enough mystery and intrigue to keep you hooked. It layers personal stories of loss and resilience onto tumultuous historical events, making history come alive with characters who are easy to relate to, whatever their place in history.

Themes: Family, Timeslip, Australian history.

Margaret Crohn