Book Review: Lockie Leonard-Human Torpedo By Tim Winton

   Lockie Leonard- Human Torpedo is a delightfully frank novel exploring the experiences of a teenage boy growing up, written by famous Australian contemporary writer, Tim Winton. Lockie Leonard is 12 and three quarters, loves surfing and has just started at a new school. Being new to the school he gets bullied but soon falls in love, not just with any girl but she just happens to be, ‘the smartest,  prettiest, richest girl in class’, called Vicki Streeton.  Lockie’s run ins with his teachers result in a visit to the guidance officer at school, and he encourages Lockie to start a surf club and Lockie takes on his advice. Lockie is head over heels in love and his relationship with Vicki grows. However, as Lockie begins to grow both physically and emotionally, he discovers that Vicki’s ideas about life differ from his. Finally, when Vicki betrays Lockie this leaves the path open for Lockie to take note of his age and enjoy life as a typical teenager. The novel, a romance genre, is in parts quite humorous and the overall tone is very much down-to earth.      

  Set in the small coastal township of Angelus, the plot revolves mainly around Lockie’s family and his love interest Vicki. The characters are very typical and realistic. Lockie is naturally the main character. Other characters are Vicki, Lockie’s mother Mrs Leonard, ‘Sarge’ (Lockie’s policeman father), Phillip (Lockie’s  younger brother )and Lockie’s baby sister nicknamed ‘Blob’ as well as Vicki’s parents. Although primarily of interest to adolescents of similar age to Lockie, this novel would appeal to anyone who has ever been a teenager. This is author Tim Winton’s eighth novel and it has won an ALA Best Book for Young Adults award. Tim Winton’s other books include, ‘Shallows’, ‘Cloudstreet’ and ‘Dirt Music’ which have won the famous Miles Franklin Award. The novel, Lockie Leonard- Human Torpedo, is, in fact, very much a reflection of the author’s own life, being almost autobiographical.         

  The language and tone is very easy to read and the reader can identify and relate to the main character’s feelings and emotions as he experiences the reality of growing up.         

  This novel is definitely not a boring book. It has short chapters and is a good, interesting read right to the end. For those that want to continue the intriguing read, this novel is the first in a series of Lockie Leonard novels. The only improvement that could have been made to make it more interesting would be the addition of other dramatic life changing situations but overall an unstoppable, entertaining read.

 I rate this novel   7/10