The dialogue suffers from every cliche in Literature.

The parts of the past are bad, I’m afraid. The dialogue was the major weakness, in my opinion. In addition, there were times when the boy behaved like a petulant, spoiled child with the mental ability of a three-year-old. How many boys would even think to utter the phrase ‘’no offense’’? Less than 2%. The boy uses language that no child at his age would use. The syntax is strange, the interactions are almost lifeless.

The writing, in general, was disappointing. Another thing that bothered me was the recycling of the stereotype of the ‘’divorced woman.’’ So, we didn’t start well from the get-go. I confess I am getting tired of the tropes of the unloving father and the indifferent mother that seem to be so popular now. Sarah’s mother is a weak, bitter, shallow woman. Unfortunately, these were the only positive things I’ve found in the book. The descriptions of the natural and urban environment are vivid and become the strongest part of Sarah’s story. Sarah’s thoughts are as haunting as the nature around her. The dark colours are everywhere, creating a rather foreboding, claustrophobic atmosphere, despite the beauty of the mysterious landscape. The chapters alternate between the present and the past and the setting comes alive and becomes rich through the unique New Zealand folklore. Unfortunately, it was a major disappointment. Plus, I really wanted to read a book by Fairlight Moderns. The story doesn’t sound like something I would choose to read but the beautiful cover, the title and the New Zealand setting convinced me to try it. Her memories of troubled, life-draining family relationships are an additional devastating weight on her shoulders. Her country is in a dark situation, following the 2011 earthquake in Christchurch that caused the death of 185 people. Sarah wants to reconnect with an old friend, to make sure that the past can no longer haunt her. Sarah and her young son leave London for Sarah’s home country, New Zealand.

Travelling in the Dark by Emma Timpany