I Want Everything by Dominic Amerena

Dominic Amerena has spun the most exquisite tale, full of Australian culture that most people will recognise. There is also plenty of black humour within this crafty plot, with brilliant twists thrown in.

The unnamed protagonist pulls us along as the heartbreaking consequences of his deception comes to light as he hungers for literary fame. Meanwhile, the subject of his biography and obsession, Brenda Shales, is down-to-earth, yet vigilant and insightful. She takes the protagonist and readers on an eye-opening journey of her renowned life in 1970s Melbourne.

Amerena does an amazing job at creating a story which leaves us questioning who is a more trustworthy storyteller.

Not only does Amerena write with a meta-fictional element and highlights the main essence of writing perfectly, he also draws us in with the unique style of not using quotation marks at all. Using a dash at the start of the sentence to show that someone was talking, did take a bit to get use to, but halfway into the book you are so drawn into this literary masterpiece that you hardly notice anymore.

This is an impressive debut and I can’t wait to read more from Amerena in the future.

Reviewed by Diane Stewart
Library Staff