REVIEW: Accidental Friends by Helena Pielichaty

This is the story of four very different people who become friends when fate throws them together - a friendship that changes their lives. There's Emma, an art student with a steady boyfriend and a baby; James, the ex-boarding school boy living with his mean sister; Grace, who cares more than she lets on with her bolshy attitude; and Leon, who wishes he could go to prison instead of college.

The novel unfolds in a very unusual way - all four of the stories form part of Emma's art project, which is based on the game of Consequences - Boy, Girl, He Said, She Said, Consequences. Emma explains all this to a cleaner at the college the night before her presentation, and the cleaner asks questions which enable us to see the story develop. I was a bit doubtful about this premise to start with, but I soon put my doubts aside as I got thoroughly involved in the story and all the characters. And by the end I realised that the premise worked brilliantly, and I loved the way Emma's reactions to the cleaner's questions formed part of the story.

This book is hard to put down - it has a soap opera feel and explores many serious matters in an engaging way. I loved the author's light touch with heavy issues. Some of the characters have stayed with me, particularly Kazia, the  cleaner, and the charming, naive James. This book is thoroughly recommended as a meaty, engrossing and original read.

Comments

[Emily]

Another one for my list. I used to love playing Consequences. The premise sounds really unusual. Thanks, Chicklish :)

[Em]

This sounds really good. I'll have to check it out! :)

[tanya]

This book is brilliant - totally absorbing - i kept it on my bedside cabinet and couldn't wait to go to bed to read the next chapter - so engrossing i was disappointed when it was finished - would make a great film!!