The Dreaming by David Pelletier

Perhaps the most remarkable thing about The Dreaming is that it is Australian author David Pelletier's first novel. Pelletier does not show 'potential' with this tale, nor should he be labelled  'promising new writer.' With The Dreaming Pelletier displays all the polish and professionalism of a seasoned veteran.

At its heart, The Dreaming is a dichotomous tale about holding on and letting go, about loving and loathing and the profound affect all of these things can have on the human heart. It is a frightening book, beautifully written, about three children who must confront the monsters of the past - both their own and those that belong to the wider world.

There is a vividness in Pelletier's writing that contradicts the clever subtleness of his work. His scenes are built upon sensations of sight and sound, of scent and taste and touch - subtly stolen from the imagination of the reader. It is through these senses that Pelletier draws us in, compels us to read, and blinds us to the truth so relentlessly stalking his young protagonists.

The threads of plot are meticulously woven into the twofold tapestry of a tale that is both straightforward and surprisingly complex. Rare are the books that are worth a second read. Rest assured this is one of them.

Paperback: 249 pages
Publisher: Dragonfall Press; 1st edition (2011)
Language: English
ISBN: 978-0-9806341-3-6