Who We Were by Lucy Neave

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So ... I finished reading the novel written by my creative writing teacher at the Australian National University. Here's an interview / profile of Lucy from the Sydney Morning Herald. 

What do I think? I'm not entirely sure. It's well-written - sparse, minimalist prose with a surprisingly detached tone (surprising given it's both a love story and a quasi-political thriller with spies, FBI raids and extra-marital sex on the lounge room floor - or was it the kitchen?) Maybe that tone reflects the post-traumatic distancing felt by the narrator; betrayed, back home in Australia, isolated and recalling events years after the events. Detachment is a tricky tone to sustain. 

What words would I use to describe the novel? Intriguing rather than compelling. Ambitious in what it strives to achieve, seeking to unite the personal stories with the politics and beat of another place and time. But not entirely successful in realising its commendable ambitions? 'Fraid so. It's a good, interesting read but at times I couldn't quite maintain a willing suspension of disbelief. Read it and judge for yourself because there are plenty of professional reviewers (some you can find on Lucy's web site here) and everyday readers (on the Good Reads web site here) who think differently.