Shape of Three (Armada Lions)

by Lilith Norman

Book Overview

The lives of two Australian families are disrupted by a chance meeting with far-reaching effects. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0006709362
• ISBN13: 9780006709367
• Release Date: February 1975
• Publisher: Collins
• Length: 160 Pages
• Weight: 0.26 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Families, friends and enimies

Greg Herbert and Brian Cunningham both live in the large city of Sydney in New South Wales, Australia. One day at the very crowded state rural fair they literally bump into one another. They are struck by the fact that they look just like one another: they could be doubles or even twins. From this very first meeting the two boys feel drawn to one another and so they plan to meet again. Greg actually does have a twin brother, Shane, but they are only fraternal twins: they do not look alike. These two brothers are very close but, unlike Greg, Shane instantly hates Brian. He fears that this new boy will somehow take his brother away from him. This story asks the question: 'What is a family?' Is it blood relationship? Is it the people you feel close to? Is it just the people you spend most of your childhood with? In this age of divorce the theme of divided families is most relevant, although the relationship fractures in this story are quite unusual. Lilith Norman develops her characters quite well in this novel. Shane, who at first appears to be a stock bad-guy, in fact turns out to be quite a sympathetic character who the reader can understand and relate to. This evolution of character makes the story interesting all the way through. We feel we understand someone but then we learn more and this surprises us. Although the story is set in Australia it could really take place in any large city. There are no special references to culture that make it hard for an international audience to understand it. Although the book was first published in 1971 it has not really dated. These days family biological relationship would be tested by DNA analysis rather than blood tests and other medical procedures, but other than that one detail nothing is parse. In all this is a very well written and original novel that would entertain many teenagers. It encourages the reader to think about life without in any way being preachy or overly moralistic.

Brilliant writing. I've never forgotten it.

Wonderful story of separated twins raised in different class environments in Australia, and what happens to the respective families when they try to "switch back". I read this for the first time when I was 8, and for the next few years, checked it out of the library as often as possible. Great characters, families. Good teen book.