Lesley Parr, Fallout, Bloomsbury, October 2024, 352 pp., RRP $15.99 (pbk), ISBN 99781526648013
Fallout is a thought-provoking story that tackles issues of family, loyalty, identity, and the struggle to overcome societal expectations. Through its compelling narrative, the novel explores how these themes intersect and influence the choices and paths individuals are forced to navigate.
Set in a fictional small town in Wales in 1980, the world is shaped by the palpable fear of nuclear war. Against this turbulent backdrop, Marcus Pritchard’s life seems defined by his family’s reputation. His father, a violent and deeply flawed man, has involved the family in petty crime and his older brother is serving time in a youth offender institution. The Pritchard family’s notoriety has made Marcus an outsider in his own community. Everyone around him seems to have already decided who he is before he’s had the chance to figure it out for himself. The community’s judgment and suspicion towards him are harsh and unrelenting. The constant threat of being “guilty by association” is a reality Marcus must grapple with, particularly after he is wrongfully blamed for an incident that lands a man in the hospital.
When Marcus meets Emma, a girl from school who is involved in nuclear protests, he is immediately drawn to her. Unlike the rest of the town, Emma believes in Marcus’ potential, offering him a chance at something different. Alongside Emma and Mick, an elderly neighbour with a secret fallout shelter in his garden, Marcus begins to question his family’s criminal world and wonders if there’s another life he could choose for himself. Marcus’s journey is heartbreaking and uplifting as he navigates the pressures placed upon him and begins to form his own beliefs.
Fallout is much more than a story about a troubled teenager trying to escape his family’s criminal behaviour, it’s an exploration of identity, family, and the impact of social and political forces on individual lives. This novel is a gripping read that will resonate with anyone who has ever struggled to break free from the expectations placed upon them. With its relatable characters, timely social commentary, and emotional storyline, Fallout is a must-read for anyone aged 10 and up.
Reviewed by India Boon.
