The Story of Tom Brennan

J.C.Burke (author)

Random House, Australia: 2005; 284pp

ISBN: 1741660920

Genres: realistic fiction

Issues: bullying, change, drink driving , friendship, grief, identity, relationships

CBCA Book of the Year, Older Readers, 2006.

When his older brother, Daniel, causes a drink-driving accident that kills two teenage friends and paralyses his own cousin, Tom Brennan is not sure how things can get much worse.

But they do. An angry community blames the whole Brennan family and they are forced to leave, seeking sanctuary with Tom's grandmother. Tom and Kylie have to brave a new school, a new community, because of their brother's actions.

Their mother refuses to get out of bed, except to visit Daniel in gaol. Kylie seems to be angry at everybody, especially Tom. His grandmother is of the stiff-upper-lip-act-as-if-it-hasn't-happened-mustn't-give-way generation, constantly saying the things that everybody wishes she wouldn't. Tom is terrified that somehow his new school friends will find out about his brother's crime and that the family will be forced to move again. All of which is complicated by the love and anger he feels for his brother, the love and guilt he feels for his cousin, and all the more usual teenage trials and tribulations - playing footy, chatting up girls, mucking around with mates...

This is an astonishingly powerful novel with metaphorical elements; a dark and occasionally bleak exploration of the many complicated consequences of one irresponsible act. Burke makes no attempt to oversimplify the terrible mess or the confused emotions, nor does he excuse Daniel's behaviour. The examination of the guilt and sense of debt felt by a wide network of people - Daniel's parents and siblings amongst others - and the ways in which one person's behaviour affects so many, not just those that were in the car, make this a novel that should be read by all drivers.

A difficult read, The Story of Tom Brennan is, nonetheless, a book that should be on all library shelves.