Tall Story by Candy Gourlay combines wry humour and profound comment on cultural identity.
Tall Story is a refreshing debut that will make children think twice about the power of magic and legends Gourlay is herself a Filipina, and her voice rings true as she highlights what separates – and unites – cultures. Tall Story is as much a sweet quirky fable as a coming of age account of two siblings. Gourlay's upbringing in Manila provides the authentic backdrop for this unusual story, which is her first novel. This is a lovely book, as colourful, cheerful and original as its cover.ĭespite the initially funny tone, the story deepens to become a tale of mystical connection and love between very different people - with an uplifting ending.
Gourlay is good at describing the comedy of family life and the underlying tragedy of life in a poor country readers who are in sport will enjoy the drama of Andi's great match against a rival basketball team. The possibility of the supernatural woven into a life of struggle makes this faintly reminiscent of Louis Sachar's Holes. The challenges facing separated, immigrant families and the universal teen desire for acceptance and respect ring true. In her first young adult novel, Gourlay offers an appealing blend of diverse characters, emotional conflicts, well-paced action, and an upbeat finale. This will capture the hearts and minds of sports lovers - and just about everyone else as well. Working through the many meanings of 'tall story,' first-time author Gourlay slam-dunks this tale of a towering boy from the Philippines and the pint-size, basketball-crazy half sister with whom he has recently been reunited.
Gourlay spins slender threads of wishes and prayers, magic and miracles, desires and redemption and weaves together an impressively sweet and rich tale This would be a *terrific* read-aloud choice, as well as a manual for 'how to succeed with risk-taking in writing fiction.' Brava! no way anybody could put all that stuff into one relatively short novel and make it work, right? This book is like a magic trick: Hoo boy, does it work! Siblings Andi and Bernardo tell the story of their reunited family-Bernardo arriving in London from the Philippines-with just the right mix of humor and pathos.
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