Every so often, you stumble upon a book that is both a delight to read and unexpectedly telegraphs powerful messages around the topics of family, ageing and most strikingly, unconditional love. Amanda Hampson’s latest novel, Lovebirds, is such a novel.
In their youth lovebirds Elizabeth and Ray had to fight to be together. Their future was full of promise and blessed with children and careers, their happiness complete. But a twist of fate changed their lives forever.
Lovebirds offers readers a glimpse into rural Australian life circa 1950s and also Sydney during the Vietnam War era. Life was in many ways relatively carefree (to a point), yet a strictly controlled social hierarchy was in play – one was born into the top end of town and breaking into that social circle was near impossible. Lizzy, a local storekeepers’ daughter was expected to toe the line – education, who needs it the type of mantra thrown her way. Her life could have gone on predictably, but for the advent of woman’s liberation and Australia’s commitment to the Vietnam War. These two factors collide to change the direction of Lizzy’s life with an almighty BANG.
Lovebirds is a fresh take on the Aussie road-trip novel, complete with a cheeky budgie that I never knew I needed in my life until I read this book. A grumpy teenager reluctantly hangs out with his fabulously complicated grandmother and an eccentric veteran are just some of the delightful characters one encounters within this novel.
Lovebirds is a masterful story that showcases Amanda Hampson’s writing at her most moving and finest. If you want to escape into a beautifully told tale about redemption and love, then this is the book for you. 10 out of 10 stars from me as I thoroughly enjoyed this heartfelt, uplifting novel.
Amanda Hampson is the bestselling author of The Olive Sisters, Sixty Summers, Two for the Road, The Yellow Villa & The French Perfumer.
Lovebirds by Amanda Hampson – Viking Australia – RRP $32.99
Lead photo – Amanda Hampson
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