Scary Monsters Michelle de Kretser, by
Ina unique format, Michelle de Kretser presents two novels in one, both dealing with a clutch of “scary monsters” ranging from racism, to ageism, to sexism and more. There is no prescribed order to read the two tales, simply dive in, read to the middle and then flip the book for a second story. It’s an intriguing concept and although the plots are unrelated they are linked. “The two main characters in the novel are migrants, and migration turns lives upside down. The format reflects that,” Michelle tells The Weekly.
In Lyle we are in a near future vision of Australia where this public servant is trying to stay under the radar in a society that rejects all forms of difference. Assimilation is the ultimate goal for recent migrants like Lyle, who as a non-Caucasian is painfully aware of how much he and his family stand out. “People like us will never be invisible, so we have to make a stupendous effort to fit in,” he notes while observing a Dane who fits in perfectly with his blond hair and blue eyes. Lyle’s wife knows what they must do and changes their names before they arrive in Australia – “the way forward was to forget everything” she advises.
The Orwellian world that unfolds is pretty terrifying and audacious but alas, not out of the realm of possibility. Islam is banned, climate change is out of control and old people are in all sorts of trouble. Data collection records everything and Lyle’s own work in this field is decidedly sinister. Meanwhile he is in constant fear of deportation as his children and feisty mother refuse to toe the line.
In the second tale we are in Montpellier in 1981, where Lili is teaching English and dealing with her own issues of otherness with new friends and a very disconcerting neighbour. Lili came to Australia from Asia as a teenager and in France is aching to be a
Bold, Intelligent Woman like her heroine Simone de Beauvoir. She is definitely bold and clever but there’s also a beguiling vulnerability in her courage as she shapes her future.
These dual narratives are smart, satirical and searching and while different, binding them is Michelle de Kretzer’s dark and often laugh-out-loud wit. Her characters and situations can’t help but set your mind whirring and stay with you.