Maryam Master (text) and Astred Hicks (illustrator), Laughter is the Best Ending, Pan Macmillan Australia, August 2024, 262 pp., RRP $16.99 (pbk), ISBN 9781761560132
Zee is a loner; quite content reading poetry and prose or watching documentaries on television. Zee’s parents are concerned; surely this is not normal behaviour for a 13-year-old. They decide to send Zee to a holiday camp called Youth Fusion—the worst possible experience Zee could imagine—with the hope that Zee will make ‘at least one friend.’
Thankfully, and quite by chance, Zee becomes acquainted with on-line influencer, Tiffanee and super nerd twin brothers Jonah and Moses. They are an unlikely partnership. However, when a child goes missing and no-one appears to be in charge of the camp or the situation, the four band together to find themselves in the midst of some outrageous and strange experiences. It will require some fierce detective work to unravel the strange string of events; a dilemma only made worse by the harrowing presence of the notorious Old Bat Vic.
From the very first line on the very first page of Laughter is the Best Ending, our protagonist, Zee tells it as it is, from her own point of view, in her own style. The rich and bold words of this teenager, who so often feels out-of-place in public spaces. are an insight into the thoughts of many teens and the funny situations that can arise when least expected.
“You’re not supposed to laugh at funerals. That’s the number-one rule of funerals… But I can’t help it.” she says.
Author Maryam Master skilfully uses a rich palette of writing techniques in Laughter is the Best Ending to create a lively, irreverent, and engaging read. The prose is ingeniously put together—from direct narrative, Master moves seamlessly into scripted playwriting then back into direct narrative. At one stage, Master effortlessly hands over the narrative to Tiffanee who brings additional insight to the lives of the young teens. The difficulties of these teenagers are presented with honestly and respect making the book very relatable for the reader.
This is a story of a multi-faceted adventure that branches out into numerous situations but, at no time, is there any confusion as to the task(s) at hand; the reader is delightfully thrust from one dilemma to the other as they become involved in every step toward resolving mysterious happenings at the holiday camp. The illustrations by Astred Hicks fuse with the prose, often taking the appearance of Zee’s handwritten notes and quirky asides. The addition of clever graphics and drawings brings extra zing as it livens up what is certainly already an entertaining book. This is absolutely charming and brings an extra element of fun to the story in what must be the perfect partnership of writer and illustrator.
Master is an experienced and highly successful screenwriter, playwright and author who is passionate about writing for young people. She has adapted four of the David Walliams’ books for stage and won numerous literary awards for her previous publications, Exit Through the Gift Shop and No Words. Maryam Masters has given young readers a fun and feisty book that is sure to energise all who read Laughter is the Best Ending. It’s a page-turner from start to finish.
Teaching notes are available at the publisher’s website.
Reviewed by Jennifer Mors
