Baby: Signed copy

3.5★s

Annaleese Jochems's award-winning debut novel, Baby starts off fairly ordinary, even a bit boring, and just a little strange. That needs a slightly strange protagonist, and Cynthia fits the bill: twenty-one going on thirteen, completely self-absorbed, with a massive crush on her gym instructor, Anahera. Cynthia suggests they run away together. That night, Anahera turns up, split from her husband, apparently seeking refuge. By the following morning, Cynthia has emptied her father's bank account, packed a few things and set off with Anahera to Paihia with plans to buy a boat. Cynthia barely remembers to take along her beloved dog, Snot-head.

That evening, they are in the Bay of Islands, aboard Baby, a little three-berth boat complete with dinghy, with Cynthia trying to hide Snot-head's little vomits. The story trundles along as the women bemoan their financial situation, Anahera takes daily swims to the nearby island and Cynthia tries to implement her brilliant idea for making money online. By now, the reader is wondering if Cynthia is incredibly naïve, because it sure looks like Anahera is using her in some way. And then (about halfway) the story takes a turn in an almost surreal direction.

The narrative is from Cynthia's perspective, and her addiction to reality TV colours the melodramas she envisages will happen. Jochems has a talent for descriptive prose ("They sit waiting, as if sense is going to arrive to them on their boat in the post.") and some scenes are vivid enough to elicit discomfort or disgust.

While neither Cynthia nor Anahera are likeable women, their behaviour makes them interesting enough for the reader to keep turning pages just to know what they are going to do and say next. It's a fascinating ride (like witnessing a train wreck), watching almost-normal unravel into bizarre, and bizarre morph into chilling. A compelling debut novel that is likely to polarise readers.

This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by Scribe Australia and Better Reading Preview.