The Idea Of Perfection

Kate Grenville

Editions

Review

It may all sound unpromising: Karakarook, New South Wales, pop.1374 and two characters named Douglas Cheeseman and Harley Savage.  But don’t be put off – Grenville combines a precise, poetic description with engaging dialogue and in doing so makes fascinating a plot which is ostensibly about a new bridge.  This bridge embodies Cheeseman’s idea of perfection, but the real plot turns out to be a relationship which is better than perfection - because it is flawed, human and unexpected. - review by Karen Wadman