Tomorrow When the War Began: a book recommendation
5 out of 5 stars.
John Marsden’s Tomorrow When the War Began is a super famous Australian novel (recently made into a movie, I might add). Why it’s not more famous in the US, I will never understand.
BECAUSE IT’S AWESOME. Seriously: sometimes frightening, sometimes shocking, and always exciting.
Ellie and her best friends head out in the Australian bush for some camping — a trip for enjoying nature and doing nothing. When they get back home a week later, everything is wrong. Their families are gone, their livestock and pets are dead, and their food is all rotten.
Soon enough, they realize their country has been invaded, and everyone they know and care about has been captured. And now their faced with a choice: go back to the safety of their campsite or face this army and fight.
This book is written from Ellie’s perspective, and it’s the first of a series (and I intend to read the whole series!). She’s a likeable MC — tough, brave, and aware of her own faults. We see the other characters through her eyes: resourceful Homer, soft-spoken Lee, moody Kevin, sweetheart Corrie, naive Fiona, and fearless Robyn.
(Note: Oh gosh, I just love Homer. He’s what I qualify as a hero — well, all of the characters are heroes, but he’s the leader! Devoted to taking a stand no matter what. Le sigh.)
This book is exciting from the start because you know what’s going to happen (an invasion), but you have no idea what will happen after that! What choices will they make, who will fall in love with who, and what the future holds. Plus, any book where the characters use their minds to survive is an automatic winner for me.
While there were some Australian words I didn’t know, it was really fun to look them up and learn! Plus, some editions of the book have a little glossary at the start for us non-Aussies.
Definitely read this book if you get a chance. Now if only I can get my hands on a copy of the movie…
You tell me: Have you read Tomorrow When the War Began? Or do you have any other Australian books you recommend?
December 31, 2010 @ 1:17 pm
so funny- I just reviewed it to. Homer is so sigh-worthy. I love how he rises to the occasion, if you will.
I immediately went to netflix to try to get the film, and it wasn’t even listed. Bummer. I guess I’ll have to buy it.
It’s not Aussie, but How I Live Now is a similar premise, but a completely different story. I enjoyed it.
January 5, 2011 @ 4:39 pm
Hahaha — that is funny. YAY, though. I’m glad you’ve read it too. Now we have to spread it to other Americans!
December 31, 2010 @ 5:06 pm
I put this on my reading list. It sounds great. Thanks for the tip
January 5, 2011 @ 4:39 pm
Sure thing, Melissa — I hope you enjoy it too!
January 1, 2011 @ 1:36 am
I was captivated by Melina Marchetta’s “Saving Francesca”. I’ll have to read your suggested novel.
January 5, 2011 @ 4:40 pm
Hmmm, never heard of SAVING FRANCESCA, but I’ll definitely look into it! Thanks, Brandi!
January 1, 2011 @ 1:51 am
I’m so glad you liked it this much! I was just saying on Katherine’s blog that these books came out when my friends and I were the same age as Ellie and Homer, so we kind of all grew up together. I grew up hiking through the country they live in, and Wirrawee is a fictionalised version (I am given to understand) of a couple of towns we used to spend a lot of time in. I’ve wondered more than once whether the Australianisms would translate–there’s a lot of language and some cultural stuff that’s pretty Oz-specific. I’m glad it did!
I’d recommend Looking for Alibrandi, by Melina Marchetta. It was the first book that made a splash for her over here, and I remember seeing her speak at schools’ events in my early teens. I’ll think about who else might be a good recommendation–some of our best authors, like Garth Nix, are already really well known, but I bet there are a few smaller ones.
January 5, 2011 @ 4:41 pm
Wow, I’m jealous of you and Caitlin and your bush-life. I can’t even imagine what that’s like!!
And oh yeah, I <3 Garth Nix… I'll definitely have to look into Melina Marchetta since you're the 2nd commenter to suggest her!!
January 1, 2011 @ 1:56 am
Susan. I am so PROUD. As an Aussie who lives in the bush, I’m a big TWTWB fan, and let me tell you, Marsden’s book is pretty much as accurate a portrayal of the bush as you can get (without the invasion, obviously).
Have you seen the film yet? I’m not sure if it’s out overseas yet. But it was pretty good, in terms of keeping to the book, and Homer was spot on. As for the Aussie lingo, I apologise to the rest of the world for our crazy words. But, unfortunately, that’s a close representation of how we actually speak :S
Another Aussie book you might want to check out is (aside from the other books in TWTWB series) Beatle Meets Destiny (contemp YA). It’s pretty sweet/easy-to-read/has the Beatles referenced in it so it’s automatically awesome.
Great review! Enjoy your NYE/vacation!
January 5, 2011 @ 4:42 pm
I soooo want to experience the “bush”. When I go visit my sister-in-law in Sydney, I’m gonna come find you and experience this Wild Australia-ness.
BEATLE MEETS DESTINY? Sounds awesome — thanks for the rec!! 🙂
January 1, 2011 @ 10:54 pm
One book I really enjoyed by an Australian author is the YA novel EON: DRAGONEYE REBORN in the US (in Australia, it’s THE TWO PEARLS OF WISDOM and in the UK it’s EON: RISE OF THE DRAGONEYE). I reviewed it: http://bit.ly/ieNf8G. The sequel EONA is out soon too, which I’m excited for.
January 5, 2011 @ 4:43 pm
Ooooh, cool, Yahong. I’ve never heard of that book — I’ll definitely check it out. Thanks!
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October 22, 2024 @ 5:50 pm
I am utterly obsessed with this series. It follows up with a 3 part series called “the Ellie Chronicles” and it continues to get better and better. I agree, Marsden captures the true nature of the Aussie bush contrasted with the horror of war. I read it 20 years ago and have just re-read now. Brilliant!