Review ‘Gunflower’ Laura Jean McKay

*Image styling © Gretchen Bernet-Ward 202*4

Award-winning author Laura Jean McKay writes on another level of unusual. Clever, jolting and altogether quite unique.

A certain maturity is needed to feel the strength and hypnotic power of the ‘Gunflower’ short stories. It’s not what’s written which holds the key. It’s the unsettling subtext and intertextuality which means there is more here than meets the reader’s eye.

These short stories transcend the written words so that my own reminiscences began to colour the pages. I squirmed, I laughed, I cried and most of all I realised where the author was coming from with each character or creature, for better or worse.

Grouped under three headings Birth / Life / Death, don’t let the idyllic pastoral bookcover fool you. Written with a keen eye, read ‘Last Days of Summer’ or ‘What We Do’ and try not to shiver with guilt. Some tales are one page length, memorably short and punchy. Perhaps the longest story is ‘Gunflower’ a powerful premise on abortion.
https://scribepublications.com.au/books-authors/books/gunflower-9781922585943

There is loss as well as survivor moments. As I read I remembered a person I knew just like one of the deli characters Joni in ‘Smoko’ but then grasped that I didn’t know the real person at all until the character showed me their inner tenacity. As did all the women in these stories; Felicity and Barb are particularly liberated in ‘Ranging’ 😉

This book may not appeal to the mass market and I bet readers will have different opinions on what ‘Site’ is all about. First Fleet? Booklovers often have a conservative bent when it comes to the patriarchy and also communicating with pets and animals. We tend to shy away like skittish horses at difficult chapters, but I think the subjects earned their hard-won place.

Brace yourself, this is a wild ride and McKay’s novel ‘The Animals In That Country’ seems restrained in comparison. I do wonder if short story collections are the ones which never flourish into fully fledged books. But, hey, these are thought-provoking gems and many Australian authors never get this far.

Keep it different, Laura, keep shaking it up.

❤ Gretchen Bernet-Ward

Laura Jean McKay is the author of Gunflower, and The Animals in That Country (Scribe) was winner of the prestigious Arthur C. Clarke Award, The Victorian Prize for Literature, the ABIA Small Publishers Adult Book of the Year and co-winner of the Aurealis Award for Best Science Fiction Novel 2021. The Animals in That Country has been shortlisted for The Kitschies, The Stella Prize, The Readings Prize and the ASL Gold Medal and longlisted for the Miles Franklin Award.

Flamingo and Horse in Barn Scandal

Franny Flamingo and Gunsynd Greyson snapped during drinks at the barn © Gretchen Bernet-Ward 2021

This famous duo looked mighty cosy together when they were snapped in a local barn on Saturday night. Supposedly both happy in their marriages, renowned sitcom star Franny Flamingo and movie stud Gunsynd Greyson II sat in a quiet corner, endeavouring to hide from prying eyes.

But it was too late for that, the locals were agog, all eyes on the glamour couple.

SPECIAL FEATURE

Staff reporter L. K. Wombat

Echidna Network News : Monday 22 February 2021 : 1350hrs

As soon as the long-legged bird and the grand stallion entered the wood-panelled room, a hush had fallen. The rumour mill started to grind. The celeb twosome were closely watched as they settled themselves on a hay bale and ordered drinks.

It is reported they sipped wine from a galvanised bucket and nibbled on shared apple pieces. Franny nervously adjusted the jaunty silver bow in her latest hairdo and, by all accounts, Gunsynd had difficulty controlling his swishing tail even though no flies were in evidence.

Tony Galah, barn manager and family man, was obviously perturbed by his VIP patrons. It is common knowledge that Gunsynd’s mare is due to foal within the week but this seemed the furthest thing from the superstar’s mind as he tossed his mane at a chirpy comment from Franny.

A group of hens, on a humans night, noticed that Franny’s trademark pink feathers were swept in a carelessly alluring style but speculation was rife as to whose feathers would be ruffled by this hot encounter.

As the evening wore on, apparently Gunsynd’s horsey chuckle made quite a few barn patrons go weak at the knees. His coat gleamed in the candlelight, unhindered by a saddle, and his trademark white blaze shone. Several people noticed his hooves had a mirror polish rather than his usual in-the-paddock look. Consensus was he only had eyes for Franny but one Shetland pony was heard to swoon “Oh, if only I had a lead rein right now…”

*“Cats and dogs must work together”* said Chairman Meow on Nine Lives news

It is hoped that during this intimate rendezvous, the cashed-up couple were discussing their latest venture, a joint movie project featuring mixed animals working together to find a way to stop humans contracting Covid-19. The pandemic had rendered millions unable to care for their beloved family pets.

With a flap of her wings, Franny had said “The flight, er, plight, of every species nests, er, rests, on the whole entire world working together. Every chick deserves a clean, healthy place to live.” A profound statement and perhaps the longest words Franny has cheeped since being told her fourth series would not be renewed this season. The studio cites budget constraints while producers suggest a “younger, fresher” approach is needed.

Gunsynd, who previously fought and successfully quashed doping allegations, yesterday released a press statement saying the funds from their new movie would go towards human research. “After all,” he said “they are dependent on nature and animals for their continued survival so it is the least we can do to help them help us.”

A kangaroo waitress, busy bouncing paparazzi, refused to be drawn into conjecture but did let slip “Insects outnumber everyone so they better get them on side.” Wise words from an animal well versed in tourism, being eaten and featured on the country’s coat-of-arms.

The couple were believed to have left the barn around midnight in separate vehicles, a custom-made cage and a luxury trailer. Next day, Franny was seen frolicking in the water, eating crustaceans and molluscs with her flock, and being criticised for her unchanging wardrobe. In breaking news, it is believed Gunsynd is in lockdown at his farm hideaway preparing for another big race aptly titled “Save the Humans from Themselves Fundraiser”.

So there you have it, dear reader, a love-tryst destined to put the cat among the pigeons? Or a meeting of two creatures about to organise a world-wide campaign to save the humans before they do more damage to our shared environment?

You be the judge.

Logged by L. K. Wombat, Esq.

STAFF PROFILE

Lasiorhinus Krefftii Wombat has been a newsreader and journalist for 20 years, give or take time off for digging burrows, and is a celebrated carrot critic for “Veggie News”. He is reputed to be a friend of famous children’s author Jackie French and is acquainted with the wombats featured in her work. He knows he’s an endangered species and advocates State protection.

REAL endangered wombat information : https://environment.des.qld.gov.au/wildlife/threatened-species/featured-threatened-species-projects/northern-hairy-nosed-wombat
REAL Gunsynd race horse : https://www.slq.qld.gov.au/blog/gunsynd-goondiwindi-grey
REAL flamingos in Australia : https://thoughtsbecomewords.com/2020/06/27/wild-flamingos-in-australia/
REAL children’s author and wombat person : https://www.jackiefrench.com/
Save the Wombat