Saturday, November 12, 2011

Review: Fury by Shirley Marr

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Fury
Shirley Marr
Released May 1st, 2011
by Black Dog Books

Goodreads / Purchase

Let me tell you my story.
Not just the facts I know you want to hear.
If I’m going to tell you my story,
I’m telling it my way.

Strap yourself in…
Eliza Boans has everything.
A big house.
A great education.
A bright future.

So why is she sitting in a police station confessing to murder?

After waiting 3 months for my copy of Fury to arrive from the other side of the world, I couldn’t wait any longer and just had to dig into it. I was introduced to Aussie authors by my dear Goodreads friends and the premise of this one fascinated me. Reading it again now, though, I realize it doesn’t really tell us anything at all – except that it’s bound to be excellent! I mean – just read it!

So as you saw, we have Eliza who’s telling us her story of how and why she’s committed murder, but the bigger mystery throughout the book is who has she actually murdered? We’re going into her story, meeting all of her friends and wondering for each one if they’re the future victim. I had an incredible time with this because I love dishing out theories and trying to figure it out. I can tell you that I did figure out half of it, but the other half completely took me by surprise! Which does not happen very often anymore.

Eliza lives in a neighborhood that is rather lavish. Everyone is a doctor, lawyer or a CEO. Elaborate houses with snobby children. And Eliza is the snobbiest of them all! She’s stubborn and domineering, and while these are usually personality traits that don’t mesh well with me, somehow this author makes it work. I think it’s mostly due to the fact that Eliza is the narrator. We get through the story while being inside her head. So we see that despite her high-and-mighty behaviour, she’s not spiteful. She cares for her friends and she’s never downright mean to anyone, unless, of course, they deserve it. The way she acts is just a way of life for her. The neighborhood is very exclusive and most of them stay away from the “outside world”. It was a bit strange to me at first- their behaviour and peculiar ways- but I got accustomed to it quickly.

Don’t expect this to be a mindless read: We’re thrown from past to present quite a bit; since she’s telling her story to the police. There are a couple of times where it’s not clear if the sequence is taking place in the present or the future. So a bit of confusion settles in. But it does get cleared up as the story progresses. By the end, everything makes complete sense and once the victim is revealed, it’s  fun to rehash the whole thing again in your mind. Even though I wish we would have been left with a more foreseeable future, the ambiguous ending was surprisingly satisfying. I think because it was so atypical. The whole book is very unconventional. And I truly enjoyed it!

*If you’re looking for a copy of Fury outside of Australia, the only affordable place to get it is on FishpondWorld.com (free shipping), however be prepared to wait a while!

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Giselle

Canadian blogger, wife, mother, coffee lover, and sarcastic at heart! She has had a love for all things bookish since before Amazon and eReaders existed *le gasp*. You can also find her organizing tours and other fun things at Xpresso Book Tours.

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25 Responses to “Review: Fury by Shirley Marr”

  1. Kathy Ann Coleman

    I haven’t heard of this one but it does sound interesting. And I definitely agree about reading fiction by Australian authors. I particularly enjoyed “Graffiti Moon” and “You Against Me”, which both fall under that category if memory serves me.

  2. Giselle

    @Kathy Ann Coleman: Ooh I didn’t know You Against Me was Aussi! I have Graffiti Moon for review. All my friends have LOVED it I’m really curious!

  4. Andrea @The Bookish Babes

    I haven’t read anything yet from an Austrailian author. And I wonder exactly what about it being “Austrailian” makes it different. Is it the slang,the style? I’m curious. I’m glad FURY is unconventional; it’s nice to step out of the norm sometimes. Nice review!

  6. Giselle

    @Andrea: There is some slang – not as much in this one as others I’ve read, but I find it’s the way the story is told that is different. Look at the difference between US and Japanese horror movies for example. Americans like things a certain way (to the point, faster etc.) so books are written differently when it’s Australien authors. It’s hard to explain, really. Have you read Jellicoe Road? Raw Blue? The Shattering? Graffiti Moon? These are all Australian books that are fairly well-known and all highly rated. I highly recommend you read some!

  7. K R Weinert

    great review, and well done on you for supportng Aussie authors. I think readers miss out a lot from not knowing about the variety available out there. Thanks for the heads up 🙂

  9. Giselle

    @ K R Weiner: It’s a shame that they’re not more readily available” They’re hard to get most of the time.

    @The Princess of Storyland: You’re welcome! I had a hard time finding it too so I figured I’d pass along the info. It’s a long wait but at least you’ll get it eventually, right? 🙂

  12. Christy (Love of Books)

    Wth.. this book sounds REALLY good, but I’m so not paying $24 for it. *sigh*

    But I seriously love when books jump timelines. It’s one of my favorite writing styles to read. Thanks for reviewing this, Giselle… I’ll have to keep an eye out for it in the future.

  13. Giselle

    Christy (Love of Books): I know it’s not cheap. When I bought it it was 21$ which wasn’t so bad. I pay that for Hardcovers and it’s free shipping. It’s because of the rights they can’t be sold overseas and it’s really a shame. If I see or hear of another place that has it cheaper I’ll let you know! My GR friends keep a close watch on Aussie books so good chance I’ll find out.

  16. Ashley @ Book Labyrinth

    Hmmmm sounds pretty intense! I’m not usually a fan of books that are confusing or go back and forth, but I guess it totally depends on the book itself (considering Jellicoe Road does that and it’s my favourite book ever, haha).

  21. Ashley

    Oh my GOODNESS! This sounds AMAZING! I am LOVING the Australian authors lately! I’m going to have to start saving pennies to get them sent to me… 😛

    I hadn’t heard of this one, but it sounds awesome!!

    (Oh, and I was reading other comments and unless there is another You Against Me, Jenny is a UK author, not Aus but Graffiti Moon is Aus! 🙂 )

  23. Giselle

    @Ashley: Oh I though it was Aussie (You Against Me). Good to know! 🙂 I had checked a friend’s “Aussie books” list on Goodreads. BUt yeah Graffiti Moon I plan to read very soon I’ve been told it was great.

  24. TG

    I’ve noticed this book because of the great cover. I didn’t know it was so hard to get outside of Oz. Damn, I was sure Book Depository would have it. I’ve liked pretty much every Aussie book I’ve ever read; thanks for the list of great Aussie titles in the comments!