Bloomsbury. Children, Young Adult. Paperback RRP $15.99
By Sandy Fussell
Isabelle was amazed
when she saw the two brothers walk in. They were alike but the younger one
looked older. He had brooding eyes fed by some internal fire, while the other
one had eyes so clear they looked like windows open to the sky. You almost
expected to see swallows flitting across them.
This is the story of two brother, Kleber and Simple (whose
real name is Barbaby). Simple has severe learning difficulties and their
father, in the early stages of a new relationship, wants to put him in an
institution. Kleber loves his brother and can’t bear to think of that. So even
though he is still in the last year of highschool, he takes Simple and the
money his mother left them when she died, and moves out.
But finding somewhere to rent with a brother like Simple is
not easy. People are nervous, distrustful, cruel and even frightened. When he
finally finds a flat-share, nothing turns out as planned. In the beginning Simple
was the problem but as time goes by, he is the solution to each flatmate’s
problem.
Simple is quick to admit he is an i-di-ot but character is
measured in different ways. His brain might be small but his heart is huge. He
changes the lives of everyone he touches. In the end, it is through Simple that
Kleber, who was willing to sacrifice so much, is rewarded with exactly what he
always wanted.
This is a gentle story, poignant and filled with beautiful
images. A coming of age tale with the most unlikely of heroes.
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