A coming-of-age novel of a young man whose life is a balancing act between his passion – rock climbing - and his domineering father’s ambitions for him. As he confronts his life head on, events spiral out of control and the issues he faces and the choices he must make have a life and death consequence about them. Wonderfully pacy, well-written this is a sensitive yet powerful novel.
Pip McLeod's life is a balancing act between family, friends and his sporting passion, rock-climbing. Pip's ambitions are clear-cut, but it isn't long before real life gets in their way. His father loses his job, and as his older brother's life goes into a dangerous downward spiral, Pip is forced to confront tough issues of loyalty and responsibility. At the same time he must deal with the romantic rivalry between the gorgeous girl next door and his friendly climbing partner. How will he choose between them? Will betraying his brother save him or condemn him? And will his father's remorseless ambition for his sons end in disaster? On the traditional father-son hunting trip Pip realises he must solve things his own way - if he can.
V M Jones was born in Zambia and educated in Zimbabwe. She completed a BA in English, Archaeology and Social Anthropology from the University of Cape Town and is a qualified gemmologist. Jones has lived in Christchurch with her husband and two children since 1997.
About her first novel, Buddy (2002), Ian Sharp wrote in theSunday Star Times that it is ‘a remarkably assured first novel exploring difficult issues (puberty, jealousy, sexual stirrings, broken families, fear of failure), Buddy marks the arrival of an impressive new talent.’
