tech
March 12, 2026
In Bloom by Liz Allan review
Four fatherless girls in a band set out to escape their deprived Australian coastal town, in a dark, raw tale of friendship and abuse
TL;DR
- The novel is set in a 1994 Australian seaside resort and narrated by a group of 14-year-old riot grrrls called 'The Bastards'.
- The band aims to escape their deprived town through a Battle of the Bands competition in Geelong.
- Their music teacher, Mr. P, is suspended following accusations of sexual assault against Lily Lucid, a former band member.
- The girls investigate the assault to clear Mr. P's name and understand the falling out with Lily.
- The narrative delves into the girls' experiences with poverty, absent fathers, single motherhood, and societal marginalisation.
- The novel is noted for its raw prose, incantatory rhythm, and vivid depiction of the tawdry menace of the seaside resort.
- It is compared to other novels exploring teenage angst and societal issues, such as "Penance" and "Brutes."
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