Review: In the Secret Place

In the Secret Place by Gary Crew is a coming-of-age novel that follows Ben Gardner on a journey of resilience and self-discovery. Jess Griffiths from the South Australian English Teachers' Association has written the following review, highlighting that the novel’s “ideas and themes are universal to teens”.

Gary Crew’s novel In the Secret Place follows protagonist, Ben Gardner, in a coming-of-age narrative. Crew has established Ben as a loner; he eats lunch by himself, finds himself at odds with the formidable group ‘The six’ and feels abandoned by his mother who has left the family home and taken his younger sister with her.

There is a level of mystery about an injury Ben has sustained to his foot which enables Crew to keep the attention of the reader by heightening the mystery and adds a layer to the story. As the narrative progresses, Ben finds a ‘secret place’ that enables him to test his skills and resilience which is concurrent with him finding new friend, Sonya, and an unlikely friend in Roddy ‘Noddy’ Williams known around town for always wearing a blue beanie. Crew establishes the friendships with gentleness and authenticity and his exploration of the perceptions we have of people and in turn how much, or little, they think of us is nicely considered.

The narrative takes a sharp turn about three quarters of the way through which was a bit unexpected but reflective of life and how fast things can change. Crew’s novel explores themes of friendships, self-development, family, growing up, and how people experience the world. The text is easy to read and fairly well paced.

Whilst the book would probably lend itself more to male readers, the ideas and themes are universal to teens. This text would be suitable for readers years 9 -11.

Reviewed by Jess Griffiths from the South Australian English Teachers’ Association