Trip Of a Lifetime

Trip of a Lifetime is the fourth novel by British-born Australian author, Liz Byrski. When hard-working State Government backbencher Heather Delaney is shot on the steps of her Newcastle office, she assumes life will get back to normal when her wound heals and the culprit is found. But while the physical healing duly occurs, the ramifications of this traumatic event continue to be felt by Heather, her family and her associates. Her brother Adam, feeling guilty that he has, once again, failed to protect her, retreats to his baroque cello and Bach; Adam’s wife, Jill finds herself less than sympathetic as she battles to maintain her job and family; Shaun, the manager of Heather’s electorate office, does his best to keep things running smoothly whilst trying to extricate himself from an unwanted relationship with Charlene; Charlene’s mother, Diane is a volunteer in Heather’s office but is still smarting from an acrimonious divorce; Heather’s elderly aunt Barbara provides much needed support but has her own life to lead. Then Ellis, an old flame of Heather’s, turns up convinced he has all the solutions and elicits strong and quite mixed reactions from Heather and everyone surrounding her. Byrski has, once again, assembled a marvellously diverse cast of characters whose depth and development as they react to events forms a large part of the story. The plot is original and has a few twists. Byrski manages to touch on some topical subjects and explores some age-old themes: teaching of English as a Second Language; drug dealing; life coaching; late-in-life career; job satisfaction; the illusion of security and the effects of strict religious upbringing. People are shot, punched, murdered, end up in comas, plan trips and do some bike riding. The dialogue is realistic: these are people one hears in the café and at any party; the setting has a definite NSW feel. There are words of wisdom: “It’s the ultimate arrogance, isn’t it, believing you can change someone?” This cleverly titled novel is another Byrski winner.