The Push

Julia Lawrinson

Penguin Group: YA Fiction

May 2008 $19.95

270p pb

ISBN: 978-0143007272

I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Push. The brief chapters and the truth of the emotions made me feel as if I were living the story. Julia Lawrinson has captured the spirit of the time, and the wonder of a society called the Push, which was so removed from the world in which it existed.

The character of Erica is the lynch-pin of the novel, providing a shift in the lives of everyone around her. Although there are times when you feel for her mother, such as when David’s mother tells her that Erica is not good enough for David, I do not care for Erica. There are far more amiable characters in The Push, such as Trish, who introduces Erica into the group, or Johnno, who has a presence so strong that a brief passing with him was enough to make Erica long for more than a life with David could offer,

Overall, I think this novel would be excellent for anyone over the age of thirteen, and especially for anyone who appreciates a story linked so closely to the emotions of the setting. I really enjoyed the theme of wanting more from life, which is the driving force behind the story, and also a classical fall from grace for David, before he moves on from Erica to one of the more conventional girls from the typing pool. The headers for each chapter, containing archetypal advice, are something I appreciated, as they seemed to fit the chapters quite well and provided a tool that that helped to immerse the reader in the time. An excellent read overall.

Max, age 14, Canberra, Australia