DANIEL Kelly, an adolescent boy growing up in a working-class family in Australia, has just received a sports scholarship to study and train at a prestigious private school. Kelly is thrilled that he has the opportunity to change his life for the better, but struggles to adapt to his new lifestyle.
He feels that his father, a hard working truck driver, resents him and his friends from his old school feel that he has abandoned them. To make the situation worse the rich pupils at the private school shun and tease him mercilessly.
Christos Tsiolkas’s novel, Barracuda, recounts how Kelly’s only salvation lies in his dream to become the next Olympic gold medallist. But his pride, arrogance and desire to be the best causes him to flunk-out at his first major championship, and Kelly spirals into a self destructive state, which irrevocably changes his life in ways he could never have foreseen.
Tsiolkas’s witting style is often blunt and vulgar. In the beginning it feels offensive and distasteful, but I found that it made the novel realistic and raw. The novel constantly reminded me of John van de Ruit’s Spud and William Goulding’s Lord of the Flies.
Despite, the vulgarity and horrific events Tsiolkas’s novel remains a must reed in my opinion. It has definitely reminded me that in order to reach your dreams you need the support of your family and friends, and to consider their advice.
