FIVE ORANGES is the sequel to SAIGON TEA, so it will be a joy to readers who have had the pleasure of meeting the characters Frank and Eileen, Jimmy and Stella, Danny and Mai. It can also stand on its own so you don't have to have read the first book to love this one as you follow the story from Glasgow to Melbourne and on to Saigon. Each city is vividly depicted; you can smell the Glasgow pubs and hear the thick Scottish accents, listen to the rattle of the Melbourne trams, and step into the dim light of a Saigon bar. The exploits of the characters as they holiday in Australia and brave the Vietnamese underworld make for hilarious reading. Graham Reilly also gives us a real and touching insight into the lives of two middle-aged couples who are resigned to their routines. Frank and Eileen, for instance, have an odd but happy marriage in which most of their leisure time is spent watching nature documentaries on the Discovery Channel, with a nice bit of kinky sex afterwards. Particularly endearing are Danny from Scotland and Mai from Vietnam, who have settled in Melbourne and love each other with a passion. Praise for SAIGON TEA could equally apply to FIVE ORANGE
Five Oranges
AU$19.10Price
- Graham Reilly