This is not an easy review to write. I’m weirdly torn between loving Eddy, Eddy and well…not. It is one of the few books I have read where I’ve enjoyed it more on reflection than I did at the time. I’m surprised how often the characters still pop into my head. For me, the first third of the book lacked pace and I felt the author’s voice was too dominant but then thankfully the story took off and the characters took over the reins.
Eddy, Eddy is a story about a young person growing up in an unconventional home navigating his way through grief and self-awareness. It’s perceptive, quirky, and surprising. The NZ setting is well-rendered and the images of post-earthquake Christchurch beautifully poignant and nuanced. Pitched as similar to Kate de Goldi’s wonderful The 10pm Question, where the readership is anyone from 14 to 100 years, Eddy, Eddy is in my mind, a story for adults to appreciate and enjoy. Will younger readers enjoy it too? I look forward to finding out.
— Olivia