Reviewed by Kellie Nissen
The Through My Eyes series, published by Allen & Unwin has
focused on global conflict zones, global natural disasters and now, Australian
natural disasters – bushfires, cyclones and drought – from the perspective of children.
The third in the Australian series, Alex, by Rosanne Hawke, follows
thirteen-year-old Alex Bray, as he navigates the devastating effects of drought
in a rural community with his friends, Harry and Bonnie, and his parents.
It’s early 2020. After 36 of Australia’s driest months ever recorded,
bushfires have swept through most of South Australia, wreaking havoc on rural
communities and livestock. Many families are forced to sell up and move ‘into
town’ – others, like Alex’s family – are able to stay but are doing it tough.
Forced to euthanise over half their flock of sheep after fire swept through
their property, Alex’s father, Tom, is struggling with deep depression, leaving
Alex and his mother Rachel, to carry on with the farm as best they can.
Helping out in every way he can, Alex also has to juggle school – a
slight respite in his day thanks to his longtime mate, Harry, and their new
friend, Bonnie, whose father and grandfather rescue and raise camels.
Two stories are at play throughout this powerful novel. The first
addressing the themes of family and depression as Alex tries to understand his
father’s illness and help him through it, while supporting his mother and the
responsibility he feels for the livelihood of their farm. The second story
looks at climate change, sustainability and what children and communities can
do to effect positive change.
I found myself immediately engaged in Alex’s story as he described his
home and his passion for life on the land. I found myself wanting to shed tears
as he talked about his father and his feelings of helplessness and fear that
their family would never be the same again. And I smiled at the little moments
of humour and friendship between Alex, Harry and Bonnie as they supported each
other, acknowledging they all had their own difficulties.
Everyone in Australia was affected in some way by this prolonged drought.
For many of us – those who live in cities and may have had to reduce our shower
times and not water our gardens or wash our cars – true understanding of the
personal devastation experienced by farmers and others in rural and remote
communities cannot ever be gained. However, through Alex’s eyes, readers of all
ages are provided a window into another world – close yet almost unimaginable. There
will also be readers for whom Alex’s story is a mirror – reflecting their
experiences and hopefully giving some comfort that their stories are being
acknowledged in some way.
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