Unpolished Gem by Alice Pung

Before I actually purchased this book, I had heard and read snippets about the place of what a great little read it is.  Winner of Australian book industry’s New-comer of the Year award I still didn’t rush to the book store.  It wasn’t until I sampled some of Alice Pung’s writing in The Monthly that I realised how much I appreciated her writing style and quick wit. 

 

Unpolished Gem is Pung’s memoir of growing up in Melbourne within a traditional Chinese-Cambodian family.  Amongst the good times and the bad, it details Pung’s reflections on Australian life as a traditional Chinese-Cambodian girl.  Places and events are recognisable to all who have spent considerable time in Melbourne.  Anyone who has grown up in a migrant household will relate to the work-a-holic parents, the expectation for offspring to succeed and the other challenges of assimilation.   

 

What I especially loved was Pung’s humour.  Her reflections are recounted and imagined in laugh out loud quality.  Referring to her family as “wah-sers” (a habit of saying “wah” at anything amazing) and references to “Father Government” make this tale difficult to put down.

 

It is indeed a gem. 

Syrup by Max Barry

I read what I thought was Max Barry’s first novel Company last year, and was invited to attend the launch of what I thought was his follow up Syrup.  Reading the blurb on the back I was perplexed to read a reference to ‘debut’ novel.  As it turns out, Barry’s second novel Company was launched in Australia before his first novel.  Something about struggling to find a local publisher lead Barry o/s and now the rights have been secured for the book to be distributed here. 

It follows the adventures of Scat and 6, both marketing professionals who get screwed by the corporate world and somehow claw their way back.  With some personal experience in the marketing field, I found myself chuckling quite a bit. 

The piss-taking of the marketing discipline and insane corporate politics are all through this story, which is an uproarious read.  If you have ever worked in corporate marketing I think you will find reflections of people you have known.  Characters are not so believable, but I think that’s Barry’s strength in storytelling.  Everything is far fetched, but somehow itches reality.  Syrup is written in a style which is short and punchy; easy to read. 

 I thought this one was a total hoot.