Rhubarb

by Craig Silvey

Book Overview

Meet Eleanor Rigby: tiny, blind, and left behind. Led by her zealous, overprotective guide dog, Warren, she courses constantly through the places she knows. Tired, mired, and sequestered from the... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1921361492
• ISBN13: 9781921361494
• Release Date: May 2004
• Publisher: Fremantle Press
• Length: 332 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.1" x 7.7"

Customer Reviews

Lyrical read

This wasn't compelling but it was absorbing. All of the characters were real, flawed, people that we could know. The two leads, Eleanor and Ewan, were beautifully drawn and I could feel their pain but I didn't feel sorry for them; it is not that kind of book. Eleanor is blind, Ewan is a shut-in, lost in his music for comfort. They both have routines and places or things that keep them safe and both lock themselves away from others, from real contact with people; until slowly, tentatively, they find each other. There are times when the author's use of metaphor seems not to serve the story but it wasn't too distracting and in a way, perhaps it was part of what made me think the book was beautiful. I really liked the Australian quality of this book too (it is set in Fremantle). Delightful!

Loved it

I thought this book was fresh, funny and original. Loved all the characters and the settings. Not often a novel features a blind girl, agorophobic man, guide dog, 2 shagging possums and a hermit crab; but hey - it works. Great novel can't wait to see more of Craig Silvey's work.

Wonderful debut novel

I actually met Craig Silvey in a local library today; Rhubarb is featured as the One Book to read as part of this year's Perth International Arts Festival. He was absolutely charming in person, unassuming, boyish, and totally overwhelmed by the success of his book. This book was a wonderful read, very honest and fascinating, with truly memorable characters -- even the peripheral characters stood out greatly. Since I live near Freo, it was great to have such a familiar setting; I could totally picture where the characters were. Very laudable debut, and I'm definitely looking forward to the next book from the author. :)

Top first novel and my best read this year

What a first novel! Rhubarb is by a Western Australian author (published by Fremantle Arts Press with the novel also set in the Port city of Fremantle - a pub on every historic corner here). The author started writing this book aged 17 years, finished after 3 years and was published immediately it seems. I thoroughly enjoyed this funny, at times intensively moving romp around Fremantle. The under-appreciated Rhubarb plant is now my favorite as are the two main characters - a young blind woman and an agoraphobic cello player. As they move towards each other under the blazing Australian sun, I laughed out loud many times, but more frequently was moved to tears as these two damaged people (don't worry, not too grim to endure just excellent writing) find each other. What a clever, talented young man, to write so beautifully - such fresh eyes and originality. Lots of Australian flavor here, hence some colloquialisms to deal with -remember an 'Esky' is a cooler for drinks.