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And as promised here is the first of my book reviews.... Willowman by Inga Simpson (Hatchette). I loved this book! I mean full disclosure: if you're not keen on cricket you probably won't make it past the first few chapters... but what can I say, I love cricket and this book enthralled me. It tells the tale of a bat maker (proper term: a podshaver - I didn't know that) and an emerging young cricketer's rise to fame with the help of specially designed bat. But it is much more than that. We get to see inside the lives of these two and those close to them to understand why they do the things they do and how this shapes their fate. If you're even mildly interested in cricket this is a great read. Similarities to my writing (that was after all the assignment)? Inga Simson has a certain lilting and rhythmical style of writing that I find similar to mine, but others might not. I think the way she delves into the mental and emotional state of her characters to help the reader really understand the world of these people is similar. The structure is similar with two parallel stories intertwining and coming together. But that's about it. I like this book. Highly recommended. #australianwriters

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