Reviews

Hirsch's winning form continues with his latest novel, Darius Bell and the Glitter Pool, a captivating story with a message of optimism and hope. The wonderful thing about Hirsch is his grasp of characterisation. His stories are always populated by the most marvellously eccentric characters-from the protagonists, all the way down to people who simply appear in a vignette. In fact, his command of theme and character are so masterful that he doesn't need to prop up the story with convoluted plot lines. His tales come as a welcome relief from the adrenaline-bloated missives we are so often served. Darius is the youngest of generations of Arbuthnot-Huntingdon-Castleton- Bells, whose impoverished family manages to get by on its inherited estate, with a barter system involving the descendants of their former retainers. The family is facing ruin, however, unless it manages to come up with its once-in-a-generation gift to the rapacious and vindictive local authorities. Darius' discovery of riches under the ancestral wood appears to be the perfect solution. Hirsch has written a delightful story, with just the right mix of humour, gentleness and philosophical musings. It could be enjoyed by a good reader of eight-plus, as well as becoming a read-aloud favourite of their lucky parent or teacher. Toni Whitmont is a bookseller and editor of Booktopia Buzz