Galax- Arena is an epic tale combining both real-life and science fiction elements alike. It was written by the award winning author Gillian Rubinstein (also goes by the pseudonym Lian Hearn) and was first published in 1992. It is generally set in Australia and is of an adventure/science-fiction genre.
A recount told through the eyes of the main protagonist Joella, this book is set along the span of several months. It revolves around the Galax-Arena, a fictional “performance” ground on the planet Vexak where children perform death-defying tricks and acrobatics routines, all for the pleasure of the inhabitants of the planet, the Vexa.
This book tackles many controversial issues in today’s society, such as child exploitation, cultural division, poverty and competition/survival. In today’s fast-paced world, we hardly realise what’s actually happening out of our information sphere. Most of us just continue aimlessly on into this never ending rat race, oblivious to the dire and real situations parts of our world are in, which brings us to the themes of this story.
Galax-Arena was written in 1992, not very long before the 21st century, but perhaps what Gillian Rubinstein was actually doing was envisioning an Earth we inhabit, in the not so distant future. Where we are driven to the point of obsession with vanity and selfishness, to the point that all we ever care about are ourselves and being rich.
The writing style of Gillian Rubinstein was hugely descriptive in show more detail, paying much attention to descriptive passages of the characters’ surroundings, which in turn lets the reader gain a much deeper understanding and picture of the scenes in the book.
Another interesting feature of this book is the use of the fictional contact language called patwa (a mix of slang words, English and Spanish). In Galax-Arena, patwa is the only means of communication between the multi-racial children performers.
Two particular things I disliked about this book was when Joella finally found out that they were in fact still on Earth and also the fact that Bro Rabbit could mysteriously talk.
I remember wondering to myself as I read that part of the book; how could she had just so happen to see a fly? And why would Project Genesis Five be that careless and miss that one little crucial detail? The fact that she could just take the glove off the costume the “Vexa” was wearing just like that seemed a little hard to believe as well.
On the subject of Bro Rabbit, would it not be weird for an eight year old girl to ventriloquise perfectly with no practice or training whatsoever? And why a talking sock puppet? Yes, I do realise that the people involved are children, but does it not seem a tad bit too childish?
Overall, it was a fairly good read and Gillian Rubinstein has managed to compile most of our world’s most pressing issues into a generally good book which propels you into an endless rollercoaster ride, filled with morbid detail on a more ugly side of humanity.
This book is more suited (and was probably also aimed at) a young adult audience and those who like a good, serious read with slight occasional light-hearted instances. If you liked it, then there is a sequel to Galax-Arena called Terra-Farma as well. show less
A recount told through the eyes of the main protagonist Joella, this book is set along the span of several months. It revolves around the Galax-Arena, a fictional “performance” ground on the planet Vexak where children perform death-defying tricks and acrobatics routines, all for the pleasure of the inhabitants of the planet, the Vexa.
This book tackles many controversial issues in today’s society, such as child exploitation, cultural division, poverty and competition/survival. In today’s fast-paced world, we hardly realise what’s actually happening out of our information sphere. Most of us just continue aimlessly on into this never ending rat race, oblivious to the dire and real situations parts of our world are in, which brings us to the themes of this story.
Galax-Arena was written in 1992, not very long before the 21st century, but perhaps what Gillian Rubinstein was actually doing was envisioning an Earth we inhabit, in the not so distant future. Where we are driven to the point of obsession with vanity and selfishness, to the point that all we ever care about are ourselves and being rich.
The writing style of Gillian Rubinstein was hugely descriptive in show more detail, paying much attention to descriptive passages of the characters’ surroundings, which in turn lets the reader gain a much deeper understanding and picture of the scenes in the book.
Another interesting feature of this book is the use of the fictional contact language called patwa (a mix of slang words, English and Spanish). In Galax-Arena, patwa is the only means of communication between the multi-racial children performers.
Two particular things I disliked about this book was when Joella finally found out that they were in fact still on Earth and also the fact that Bro Rabbit could mysteriously talk.
I remember wondering to myself as I read that part of the book; how could she had just so happen to see a fly? And why would Project Genesis Five be that careless and miss that one little crucial detail? The fact that she could just take the glove off the costume the “Vexa” was wearing just like that seemed a little hard to believe as well.
On the subject of Bro Rabbit, would it not be weird for an eight year old girl to ventriloquise perfectly with no practice or training whatsoever? And why a talking sock puppet? Yes, I do realise that the people involved are children, but does it not seem a tad bit too childish?
Overall, it was a fairly good read and Gillian Rubinstein has managed to compile most of our world’s most pressing issues into a generally good book which propels you into an endless rollercoaster ride, filled with morbid detail on a more ugly side of humanity.
This book is more suited (and was probably also aimed at) a young adult audience and those who like a good, serious read with slight occasional light-hearted instances. If you liked it, then there is a sequel to Galax-Arena called Terra-Farma as well. show less