Joy Moody Is Out of Time by Kerryn Mayne (2025)
What a strange, sad, heartbreaking yet somehow uplifting book this is. Though the cental plot may seem initially far fetched and way out there, Kerryn Mayne's skill at creating fascinating characters had my full attention from page one. And her additional talent to pull on your heartstrings without mercy is on full gripping display, especially in the book's second half.
In a beachside Australian town, twin sisters Cassie and Andie have lived their lives under the all encompassing total control of their mother Joy, the manager of a busy laundromat. Home schooled and forbidden access to TV, phones or any social life outside the confines of the store, the twins now approach their 21st birthday with a monumental event in store. Joy, who's told her daughters that she's a time-traveler from the not-too-distant future, prepares them for a trip into that era she came from. According to Joy, the twins are needed to fulfill their destiny as freedom fighters against the autocratic, dystopian society that rules 2050.
Is Joy completely insane? Or simply an overreaching fabulist who's spun so many fanciful fantasies for these children she practically raised in captivity that all three of them believe Joy's 'truth' is in fact, the truth.
In a beachside Australian town, twin sisters Cassie and Andie have lived their lives under the all encompassing total control of their mother Joy, the manager of a busy laundromat. Home schooled and forbidden access to TV, phones or any social life outside the confines of the store, the twins now approach their 21st birthday with a monumental event in store. Joy, who's told her daughters that she's a time-traveler from the not-too-distant future, prepares them for a trip into that era she came from. According to Joy, the twins are needed to fulfill their destiny as freedom fighters against the autocratic, dystopian society that rules 2050.
Is Joy completely insane? Or simply an overreaching fabulist who's spun so many fanciful fantasies for these children she practically raised in captivity that all three of them believe Joy's 'truth' is in fact, the truth.
But maybe not all three of them. The gentle timid and sweet natured Cassie stays enthralled by Joy, while the sharp witted, realistic Andie wants a life outside of Joy's self-contained universe. And Andie's developed more than few skeptical doubts about the time traveling adventures supposedly planed for her and Cassie on their birthday.
Some catastrophic events, both past and present overtake Joy and her twins, leading to no end of long held secrets about this family. Tragic, heartrending revelations unfold, none of which I'd ever want to spoil here. I'd only caution this.....prepare to have your emotions hammered away at in both brutal and benevolent ways.
You can enjoy this book as either an astonishing, bizarre, psychological thriller with a healthy share of twists, or simply as a contemporary, realistic Grimm's fairy tale, grounded by its truly unforgettable characters. Either way, it's quite a unique story, well told. and a terrific read for anyone who loves to plunge into something off the beaten track.
Some catastrophic events, both past and present overtake Joy and her twins, leading to no end of long held secrets about this family. Tragic, heartrending revelations unfold, none of which I'd ever want to spoil here. I'd only caution this.....prepare to have your emotions hammered away at in both brutal and benevolent ways.
You can enjoy this book as either an astonishing, bizarre, psychological thriller with a healthy share of twists, or simply as a contemporary, realistic Grimm's fairy tale, grounded by its truly unforgettable characters. Either way, it's quite a unique story, well told. and a terrific read for anyone who loves to plunge into something off the beaten track.
5 stars (*****).
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