On The Jellicoe Road

I’ve been wanting to do a book review on Melina Marchetta’s Jellicoe Road but have put it off several times.  Not because of lack of interest but because what can one say about such a book?  It was published first in Australia under the title On the Jellicoe Road, but when published in America the title was shortened.  For people who like to know genres it’s a contemporary YA.  There is some mention of adult relations and child abuse in the book so if that bothers you than be warned. 

It’s the story of 17 year old Taylor Markham who’s mother abandoned her at age 11 on the Jellicoe Road.  Now she attends a boarding school there.  She’s pulled into leadership of the territory war games they play each summer, but how can she take care of others when she can barely take care of herself?  And who is the man in the tree she dreams of each night? 

Unfortunately a little blurb fails to capture the true essence of the story.  It’s a fabulous book and I couldn’t put it down.  Marchetta’s writing was a subtle and sensitive combination of the lives that affect Taylor’s, both in the past and present. Since the story also revolves around the adults who influence Taylor’s life I think this book is much more than a YA.

 I highly recommend this book and hope you enjoy it.