2000 School Magazine

original works

REVIEW OF NICK EARLS"'48 SHADES OF BROWN"

A 16-year old boy, his 22-year old drum-playing aunt, and the female flatmate who becomes the object of both their desires. This triangle sets the scene for this stunning Nick Earls book published by Penguin. The story follows 16-year old Dan through his last year of high school, taking the reader with him on his confused, often amusing journey to self-discovery. On top of the stress of his important final school year, his eventhoughtful parents have decided to spend the year in Geneva, leaving him to board with his father's younger sister, Jacqui. Thus enters Naomi, Jacqui and Dan's flatmate and the instant object of Dan's desire. Desperate to win her affection, Dan takes extreme measures, including learning to make pesto, and most notably, memorising 48 different shades of brown (hence the novel's title). Through humour and insight into the life of a teenage boy, Earls shows us the angst of teenage relationships, sexuality and development to independence. Earls' novel is one of the few that are written in a way teenagers can relate to; it covers the vulnerability, insecurity, awkwardness and embarrassment that is felt by most teenagers without using old stereotypes. Earls ensures we share Dan's feelings through his journey without the tone of a patronizing adult. This is why the book has been such a strong seller in the young adult market - teenagers are certain about the kind of good quality literature they want to read. Sometimes funny, sometimes tragic, but always relevant, Nick Earl's novel48 SHADES OF BROWN is a masterpiece of suburban teenage life that should be read by everyone.

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