Sequels can be very tricky for both writers and readers.  If the first novel is good, should the second try to copy it, or launch off on its own?  Either way, the risks are high.

Sailmaker is the sequel to Roseanne Hawke’s excellent story The Keeper and it survives these risks to tell a very honest and personal story.

The Keeper told of troubled kid Joel, who advertises for a father and ends up with Dev the bikie.  Sailmaker takes up his story some time later as Joel is gradually finding some stability in a small South Australian fishing town.  His natural skill with boats and fishing give him pride and success and help him cope with the local bully.

He worries, though, that his real mother has romantic plans for his “de facto” father Dev and will take him away to Adelaide.  While he seems unable to influence this, he is able to help an old sailmaker whose island lighthouse home appears to be haunted.

Throw in storms at sea, escaped prisoners, and confused new feelings for his “mate”, the girl Pham, and Joel has his work cut out!

Roseanne Hawke has managed to balance the adventurous storyline with some very honest displays of Joel’s turmoil.  Reminiscent of Colin Thiele, she uses the South Australian coastal setting to great effect almost as another character in Joel’s personal journey.

Sailmaker is a sequel as good as its fore-runner.  It could be read on its own, but is richer as the second episode of Joel’s story.

Other books by this author:
The Keeper (Publisher, 1998)

Review by David Beagley

© 2002 David Beagley