Tuesday 1 January 2013

Raw Blue by Kirsty Eagar

From Goodreads: Carly has dropped out of uni to spend her days surfing and her nights working as a cook in a Manly café. Surfing is the one thing she loves doing … and the only thing that helps her stop thinking about what happened two years ago at schoolies week.

And then Carly meets Ryan, a local at the break, fresh out of jail. When Ryan learns the truth, Carly has to decide. Will she let the past bury her? Or can she let go of her anger and shame, and find the courage to be happy?


I had read so many great things about this book I was dying to read it. I was so excited when I learnt it was going to be published in the UK that I started to wonder if it could ever live up for my expectations for it – but it really did. It is brilliant!

Carly’s voice is spot on. I love Kirsty Eagar’s writing – she made me believe I was in Carly’s head. She’s such a broken character – for good reason - and the story tackles a very difficult subject. But from a different angle - by looking at how someone lives with its aftermath.

I had to commend Carly for trying to get on with her life. She drops out of college but is managing to support herself and spend time doing what she loves – surfing. It’s here she meets Ryan and they form a connection. I loved Ryan! He’s honest with her about being in Prison and the reason why, and he’s just so patient with Carly – despite not having any idea why she is the way she is I love the way he slowly gets to her, slowly breaks down the wall she has and lets him in. Lets him see her by telling him about her past. I had to love him for refusing to let her push him away.

This story deals with serious and sensitive issues. It might not be everyone’s cup of tea - it’s definitely more character driven that plot driven - but I absolutely loved it.

2 comments:

So Many Books, So Little Time said...

I'm so glad you loved this. I thought it was brilliant, especially Carly's voice like you said.

prophecygirl said...

I finished this last night and enjoyed it. Great writing.

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