the portal

A novel of the “sword and sandals” genre, “Centurion” follows the trials and tribulations of two Roman generals, Cato and Macro, who are dispatched to the kingdom of Palmyra to quell revolt and deliver the city from Parthian invasion. A rather gratuitously gruesome, gritty and predictable tale unfolds with the outnumbered Romans triumphing against overwhelming odds. If you enjoy reading very detailed accounts of Roman battles or simply love all things ancient and Roman there will surely be something in “Centurion” to please.

Parallel narratives follow clues extracted from the pages of an ancient Jewish text illustrated in the manner of Christian prayer book and rescued twice by Muslim librarians in Kosovo. The book’s story, from its creation to concealment, from Spain to Venice during the Inquisition, to war torn Sarajevo in the 1940’s via syphilis-ridden Vienna in the 19th century, presents a creatively mapped exploration of religious intolerance that continues to shake our world today. It seems more hastily crafted than some of her other work and a few may find it a bit didactic at times.

SENIOR FICTION ONLY

This is Winton’s first novel in 7 years and it won the Age “Fiction of the Year”  Award. It is the story of one boy’s discovery of surfing and the friendships he makes while finding the courage to surf some seriously big waves. Even if you don’t surf, Winton makes you feel like you’re there. It’s the closest you can get to surfing 20 foot waves without getting wet.

Ms Ophelia Hopkins

NEW YORK TIMES BEST-SELLER

If you like a good mystery or ghost stories then this is the book for you. This is a dark, somewhat Dickensian tale, full of eccentric characters. Set in the bleak English countryside, a writer tries to piece together the mystery of Vida Winter and the ruin of Angelfield, an old house with many secrets. The story does take a while to warm-up but once you are hooked, it’s hard to put down.

Ms Ophelia Hopkins

Short-listed for the Children’s Book Council Awards, this short, well-written novel tells the story of Brian. He is chronically shy, 17 and struggling to deal with his mentally ill Mother, a new job and falling in love. Well worth a read.

Ms Ophelia Hopkins