Plunging in to the descended
Manly resident Ingrid J Adams’ debut novel descended (yes, no capital D is correct) is the first in a four-book deal. That’s huge in the tough world of book publishing for any author, especially a new one. Well done to Ingrid.
descended is set in 1990s Manly, New York and Sedona (in Arizona). It’s genre crossing – part science fiction, fantasy and romance. The characters span young and beautiful, not so young but quirky, caring and interesting, rich, selfish and nasty or just downright cruel. And there’s a paranormal overlay adding another dimension to some of the characters.
The main characters are Indigo and Cordelia, young, beautiful, in love and like many star-crossed lovers it’s no straight line to happy ever afters. Indigo has dark secrets and numerous demons to overcome. Cordelia’s patience and love is tested to an extent that qualifies her for sainthood in my opinion.
It struck me as a book perfect for a streaming series because the characters are so vividly described and it is dialogue heavy in a natural way that makes you feel you’re there among them as they talk, talk, talk. It’s a book unafraid to tackle some tough issues; youth suicide, drug abuse, young love, self-love, body issues, sexual orientation, rejection and abandonment are all in the mix.
Manly and environs come to life in the book. Perhaps their familiarity is what made the descriptions of Sedona’s wild landscape a highlight. I’ve never been there and now it’s on my ever shrinking bucket list.
Many chapter headings are derived from great songs of the era in which the book is set, such as “Paint it, black” The Rolling Stones, “Under the Milky Way” The Church and “By my side” INXS. It’s a good read and a good listen.
descended is targeted to the upper end of the Young Adult market. Given that 30 is the new 15 it’s a big audience although I question whether 369-pages may prove a few pages too many. Maybe I’m younger than my age because I was about to give up at page 163 when magically my care factor ramped up big time and I read on like a demon until the end.
Ingrid Adams’ crafting of a complex plot that in less able hands could have descended into confusion is the hallmark of a writer of immense talent. It’s clear from her writing that she’s lived a life and then some. She’s survived an incurable disease and is now a woman on a mission to write, write, write.
Where to buy
descended can be bought at any good bookstore or online at ingridjadams.com
Yes or No. Your choice.
We’ve got to make a big decision about The Voice to Parliament very soon. When I make big decisions I like to be as informed as possible. I like facts and evidence.
It’s 55 years since Australians voted to change the Constitution so that like all other Australians, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people would be counted as part of the population and the Commonwealth would make laws for them, we are being asked to vote again to agree to the descendants of the first inhabitants of Australia having a constitutional Voice that makes representations to the Parliament.
We’re all time poor and social media’s sound bites prey on that. If you want to know the facts about what The Voice to Parliament objectively means read the book written by Kerry O’Brien and Thomas Mayo. It won’t take long and it will help you know why you’re voting Yes or No. Your choice, make it count.
Where to buy
The Voice to Parliament is available at all bookshops with Humphreys on The Corso at Manly having a good stock.