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We Were Not Men
We Were Not Men | Campbell Mattinson
4 posts | 4 read | 1 reading | 4 to read
A novel that punches you in the heart: the powerful, unbearably moving and ultimately uplifting story of twin brothers, Jon and Eden, as they grow up and begin to understand what it is to be men, and what it takes to knit a fractured family back together. 'We were sons, we were brothers. I didn't know how to be either.' This is a story about love. About the love that nine-year-old twins Jon and Eden Hardacre have for their mum, for the creek that they swim in, for each other - this is the love that they trust, that's clear and pure as sunlight, as honey, as water. But in the wake of a terrible accident, the boys have to grow up fast. They compete with each other to make the Olympic Games swimming squad, fall in love with the same girl, and begin to realise how complicated love can be and how it doesn't always show itself in the ways that we expect. Heart-hammeringly original, intense and deeply moving, We Were Not Men is a powerhouse of a novel about all the various faces that love shows us and how sometimes, distracted by life, ambition or attraction, we take it for granted until it's too late - or almost too late. An unforgettable novel that pulses with grief, revelation, hope and love.
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Curiouser_and_curiouser
We Were Not Men | Campbell Mattinson
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Pickpick

Just finished this powerfully moving story about twin boys, Jon and Eden, who suffered a tragic accident and had to live through the loss and effects, staying strong together
A tale set in Melbourne, Australia, my home, so many suburbs and roads mentioned were familiar and once I even passed through Altona at the same time the story was happening there.
Wonderful story, engaging and emotional
Highly recommended debut novel by Campbell Mattinson.

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MrsMalaprop
We Were Not Men | Campbell Mattinson
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Pickpick

Chose this new release #ozfiction for my book club read. First heard about it on a FB group from my home-town-suburb Altona, Melbourne. It was inspired by a true story of twins in my year at high school. They were lovely young men and one of them died tragically at 19 in a waterskiing accident. He was a prodigious footballer drafted early to the local professional team (Footscray). Of course I had to read it. ⬇️

MrsMalaprop I enjoyed reading about where I grew up and it has an excellent sense of place. (I live on the other side of the country now). However overall, it was between a so-so & a pick for me. 3y
38 likes1 comment
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Jeg
We Were Not Men | Campbell Mattinson
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Mehso-so

Book club read. Don‘t think I would have finished it if not for book club. Discussion was interesting. Written in and around Altona in Melbourne . Main characters twin boys orphaned and living with their step grandmother.
#joysbooks2021
@MrsMalaprop

MrsMalaprop Between a so-so & a pick for me 🤔. Thanks for persisting 😁👏. 3y
11 likes1 comment
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Teresereading
We Were Not Men | Campbell Mattinson
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Pickpick

Such a strong sense of place, Newport and Flowerdale come alive on the page. Opens with a tragic and traumatic car crash, and we follow Jon and Eden as they rebuild their lives while also setting themselves for Olympic careers. There's a lot about swimming. Beautifully written.
#BRpreview #AustralianWriters #twins

MrsMalaprop I just learnt of this book. The twins that inspired it were in my year at Altona High School. Will need to get my hands on a copy ASAP. 3y
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