Vanishing Points

Two connected novellas written late in Astley's lifetime. To be honest, I thought the conceit of the first, The Genteel Poverty Bus Company was stronger than the execution, although it has its powerful moments. It is a story of missed connections, of humans attempting to retain individualism in the face of cultural flatness, of raging against the corporate storm, and of memory.

The villain of the first novella returns as a more-rounded character in the second, Inventing the Weather which is classic Astley. She remains one of the greatest writers Australia has yet produced, and - although it's a short and somewhat slight work - this is a very enjoyable meditation on what we try to achieve, and what we do if we fail.

Two novellas, The Genteel Poverty Bus Company and Inventing the Weather initially seem stand alone but quickly you realise the connections between the two.

In the Genteel Poverty Bus Company, Macintosh (Mac) Hope is seeking solace. We start with Mac attending a reunion of the last ever tour of his bus company. It becomes clear Mac has no interest in being with these people or any people and he quickly makes his escape. From here the timeline alternates from that last bus tour, Mac's failed marriage and his determination to lead a solitary life. Mac is able to secure an island off the Queensland coast and has found paradise until property developer Clifford Truscott establishes a resort on a nearby island. A battle between the two men show more then ensues. Mac takes to blasting classical music while Truscott uses violence.

Inventing the Weather, has Julie a housewife and mother trying to discover her identity after her marriage to Clifford Truscott ends. When Clifford announces he wants a divorce to be with his mistress, Julie does the unthinkable, she leaves him and her children. It is not an easy decision for Julie to make but she knows if she does not, Clifford will have no burdens, no cares and no obligations. As far as Clifford is concerned men can leave their families but women can not as it is unnatural. Julie's journey is claiming her identity back, she resumes her journalist career and crosses paths with some Nun's providing services to an indigenous community in a remote location. Clifford discovers the remote location and he can see the potential for development much to Julie's disgust.

There are themes, places and characters that run through both stories but there is also significant differences. Julie's story has her railing against the contradictions of how men and women are expected to behave during and after a divorce. Mac fights against progress, wanting to hold onto the simple pleasures of life, playing classical music, reading books and enjoying the environment.

Astley, I have always found to capture the very essence of small town Australian life. The descriptions are vivid and you can walk the streets in your mind. The island and the mission, you feel that you know every inch. The characters are deftly created, are complex and flawed. Astley truly is a master of the craft. show less

2 novella linked by their protagonists being known to each other. Though their stories are linked, they are not the same story. Both have reasons for escaping their old lives. Set in queensland. Well written.