Erin Gough, Into the Mouth of the Wolf, Hardie Grant Children’s Publishing, May 2024, 373 pp., RRP $22.99 (pbk), ISBN 9781760507558
In a possibly not too distant future parts of Australia are threatened by increasingly regular earthquakes or catastrophic fires caused by environmental degradation. The two teen protagonists, who are authentically drawn and very relatable – Lena and Iris – are seemingly living very different lives but when they stumble upon each other, under mysterious circumstances, they become inextricably linked and their lives, and those of the people they love, will change forever.
Lena lives with her parents in the once idyllic town of Glassy Bay, which is recovering from the aftereffects of devastating bushfires. They operate the Glassy Bay International Travellers’ Hostel and when a woman’s body washes up on the beach below their home things get complicated.
Iris lives on the run with her mother. They’re trying to stay one step ahead of a relentless enemy and constant earthquakes. Iris’s mum has been keeping secrets and they’re about to be revealed with devastating consequences.
Exploring themes of climate change and environmental responsibility, family dynamics, first loves and friendship Into the Mouth of the Wolf is part mystery, part queer romance and part dystopian cli-fi (a sub-genre of speculative fiction, which is becoming more popular amongst smart and savvy young adult readers who care about their planet and want to see real-life environmental issues reflected in what they’re reading). There’s also an interesting cast of characters and a real sense of place in the town of Glassy Bay.
Erin Gough is the award-winning author of best-selling novels Flywheel and Amelia Westlake and while her latest genre-bending book is quite different to these earlier works it’s as compelling and readable and well worth picking up. Recommended for readers 12+ years.
Reviewed by Cecile Shanahan
