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John Franks' remarkable debut novel, Echoes, is primarily a modern story of love, challenge and relationships. Interwoven through this contemporary tale is an intriguing historical narrative, the significance of which left me guessing right up to the book's ending.
The reader follows Marek, born in Australia of Polish parents, as he navigates the establishment of his new construction business in Newcastle, Australia, and at the same time begins to fall in love with Gwynne, a practical single mother hesitant of risking all that she has worked so hard to achieve. Family events in Poland take Marek to the land of his parents' birth where he learns some surprising truths and experiences a deluge of unfamiliar emotions. Ultimately Marek must return to Australia and attempt some resolution in both his business life and his, at times, confounding personal relationship.
Echoes is beautifully and sensitively written without ever being sentimental or saccharine. A lovely debut novel - touching, poignant and effortlessly readable!
About the author
Avid teacher and researcher, John Franks has both bachelor's and master's degrees in education from the University of Newcastle (UON). After 40 years of high school teaching, he dedicates much of his time to his other passions - the arts. In 2020, John's first book Memoirs (warts and all) of a Baby Boomer successfully sold out its first print run. His second book, Echoes, is a contemporary novel with a strong historical fiction element. John's commitment to the Newcastle Theatre Company saw him awarded life-membership in 2011. John played for many years with the UON Wind Orchestra and currently conducts a small U3A orchestra in Lake Macquarie, New south Wales.
