Keith Stevenson reviewed The road to winter by Smith, Mark
Review of 'The road to winter' on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
Australian author Mark Smith set out to write a page-turner and achieves this beautifully. The Road to Winter is a great addition to YA post-apocalyptic fiction focussing very tightly on the after-effects of a plague on the likeable protagonist Finn. Left alone in a deserted town on the NSW north coast, he survives quite well for a couple of years, hunting with his faithful dog Rowdy and hitting the surf like a typical teenager when it all gets too much. But his solitutde is shattered when escaped refugee Rose comes to his small town.
The writing is pared back, clean and vivid, and Smith tackles personal timeless issues of growing up along with contemporary problems of today's Australia while keeping the action thrumming along.
Book two, Wilder Country is out now and promises to expand Finn's world. It's on my 'to read' list.
Australian author Mark Smith set out to write a page-turner and achieves this beautifully. The Road to Winter is a great addition to YA post-apocalyptic fiction focussing very tightly on the after-effects of a plague on the likeable protagonist Finn. Left alone in a deserted town on the NSW north coast, he survives quite well for a couple of years, hunting with his faithful dog Rowdy and hitting the surf like a typical teenager when it all gets too much. But his solitutde is shattered when escaped refugee Rose comes to his small town.
The writing is pared back, clean and vivid, and Smith tackles personal timeless issues of growing up along with contemporary problems of today's Australia while keeping the action thrumming along.
Book two, Wilder Country is out now and promises to expand Finn's world. It's on my 'to read' list.
