Fiona Gibson Wonderboy

Wonderboy

Fiona Gibson

Red Dress, Sep 2005, $12.95

ISBN: 0373895321

Marcus Skews decides that leaving London to live in the countryside is best for his wife Ro and almost six years old son Tod. He persuades a reluctant Ro by claiming the eccentric Tod needs a different school having been the victim of recent bullying incidents due to his eccentric behaviour and the neighbour in the flat above them seems to have a loose screw. Thus they move to Gorby Cottage, a fixer-upper, in Chetsley, population 1200 and just under two hours to London causing Ro to give up her job at Anna's Film Archives, not a bad thing as she hated her boss, but an extra major change.

Not long afterward, Marcus goes to work with a severe cold; that night he tells Ro he is too sick to come home. More days like that occur in which he stays in London. Soon she finds she likes Chetsley especially the friendly people kind to her son such as her neighbour Joe, who shows he wants her too. However, Ro stays true to her vows until she learns why Marcus spends increasingly more time in London.

WONDERBOY is an interesting family drama that digs deep into the disintegration of a relationship by looking closely at the three prime players. Fans will know what makes Ro tick and feel for Tod, a brilliant but troubled child failing to adjust to formal and informal school behavioural demands. Though they will hiss at Marcus' indiscretions and avoiding his obligations, fans will understand his motives that led to his failures. Fiona Gibson's insightful tale is well written, though Joe is too nice and convenient.

Harriet Klausner