Monkey Grip (original 1977; edition 2008)

I had to stop for two reasons:
1. The library wanted it back and wouldn't extend my loan.
2. I just knew Javo was going to get out of jail and return for the rest of the book.

I'm sorry to skip the beautiful descriptions of Melbourne, but they're not worth the scrape scrape scrape of junkie hopelessness.

I had to stop for two reasons:
1. The library wanted it back and wouldn't extend my loan.
2. I just knew Javo was going to get out of jail and return for the rest of the book.

I'm sorry to skip the beautiful descriptions of Melbourne, but they're not worth the scrape scrape scrape of junkie hopelessness.

I had to stop for two reasons:
1. The library wanted it back and wouldn't extend my loan.
2. I just knew Javo was going to get out of jail and return for the rest of the book.

I'm sorry to skip the beautiful descriptions of Melbourne, but they're not worth the scrape scrape scrape of junkie hopelessness.

50c Salvos ( )

Monkey Grip is Helen Garner's debut novel, based on her own diaries kept during her time in group houses in Melbourne. The novel deals with the obsessive love Nora has for Javo, an actor and junkie. Javo must have been an absolutely charismatic person as she loves him through worsening addiction. Javo loves drugs, Nora loves Javo with the same addictive intensity.

The novel is written in a kind of diary style with dreams an important adjunct to the daily happenings. The life outside the group home is hardly touched on but relates to writing, acting and rock music, but the main focus is on the ever changing relationships within the same group of people - and of managing to be independent and not falling into the stereotype relationships of an earlier generation.

It's a well written book, but the subject matter I found ultimately tedious. I was glad that the book ended with Nora's obsession. I liked Nora, I identified with her yearning, I could understand Javo's charisma although he was doing a good job of obliterating it. I loved Nora's clear eyed commentary on her situation and her enjoyment of children, her daughter Gracie and another child of the group house. ( )