The Secret Son by Jenny Ackland is a story told in Turkey and Australia from current and world war one eras.
The novel is Ackland's debut and it is beautifully done. It follows Cem who is both breaking free of his family and tracing his Turkish roots and it follows James an Australian left behind after the retreat from Gallipoli and befriended by a young Turkish soldier.
Both have pasts that they are unaware of and both land in the same small village. A hundred years apart their stories are woven together and connected in strange ways.
I loved this novel. It is one of those stories that seems to take you gently by the hand and lead you in but it doesn't stay gentle with you. The characters are well realised and it's one of those stories where afterwards you'd like further novels written from different characters perspectives.
There are times that I need a family tree or neighbourhood overview or cast of characters while I'm reading and I could say that for this book, although it needs to be left out for reasons of narrative in this story.
An excellent read for anyone who likes books with historical links and strong storylines.
Details - Allen &Unwin Spetember 2015, RRP $29.99
love you more than not wanting to finish reading a book xxx
