The Comet Box

May 25, 2011 Nomes rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011, aussie-ya, ya-male-pov

I was so looking forward to Adrian Stirling's sophomore novel after pretty much being blown away by his debut

. My expectations were high and he absolutely delivered.

The Comet Box is quite different in tone and atmosphere to Broken Glass. In Broken Glass, Stirling nails that gritty, claustrophobic and tight knit feel of a dusty small country town community. It was a sensory and gripping read, tense, vivid, absorbing and featured an astonishing climax.

While the Comet Box is different in setting,...more

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Jun 21, 2011 Emily rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: aussie-ya, read-in-2011, awesome-title, son-i-am-disappoint

I wanted to like this novel so much because it has three things I really love - it's got a teen boy for the central character, it's YA and it's Aussie. Despite all that, I didn't enjoy The Comet Box at all.

I had numerous gripes with this book but I'll just list the main ones. First up, the writing didn't make me feel anything. When Andrew, the protagonist, shivered or laughed or cried I didn't feel the need to shiver, laugh or cry along with him. And the number of times the author wrote 'It was...more

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Jul 24, 2011 A Thousand Words Festival rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya-lit-fic

Memories can almost make us travel through time. We can be standing in a room, driving our car, sending an email and suddenly a smell or a thought will send us back to the moment where we are five years old. For me it was the cover of The Comet Box that sent me shooting straight back to my childhood. The light blue fading into dark blue with the over developed pink rooftops on the houses below transported me from my loungeroom to a brick pathway winding under grape laden archways. I was on the w...more

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Jul 24, 2011 Bec rated it 5 of 5 stars

Memories can almost make us travel through time. We can be standing in a room, driving our car, sending an email and suddenly a smell or a thought will send us back to the moment where we are five years old. For me it was the cover of The Comet Box that sent me shooting straight back to my childhood. The light blue fading into dark blue with the over developed pink rooftops on the houses below transported me from my loungeroom to a brick pathway winding under grape laden archways. I was on the w...more

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Jun 07, 2011 Marj rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult, favorites

"In Merton our streets were named after astronauts and sports stars. You could stare at the names on the street signs for hours, hoping that some of the greatness would rub off onto you, but by the time you were six you already knew that greatness was meant for other people."

In this, Adrian Stirling's highly accomplished second novel, we are brought into the everyday world of an Australian street. Through the eyes of Andrew, our teenage protagonist, we gain a view of what's really going on behin...more

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May 25, 2011 ALPHAreader rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites

A few weeks before Halley’s Comet arrives, Andrew’s sister runs away from home. The only traces of her are angry words between his parents and a name written on the wall of her room; Samantha Collins.

In the wake of Amelia’s disappearance Andrew starts to notice the cracks in his family, as well as the literal and figurative fissures that run beneath his suburban street. A shopping complex is being built, Halley’s comet is hurtling towards earth and Andrew’s family is being propped up with thin l...more A few weeks before Halley’s Comet arrives, Andrew’s sister runs away from home. The only traces of her are angry words between his parents and a name written on the wall of her room; Samantha Collins.

In the wake of Amelia’s disappearance Andrew starts to notice the cracks in his family, as well as the literal and figurative fissures that run beneath his suburban street. A shopping complex is being built, Halley’s comet is hurtling towards earth and Andrew’s family is being propped up with thin lies and a crumbling facade.

‘The Comet Box’ is the new novel from Aussie author Adrian Stirling.

‘The Comet Box’ packs a surprising punch in the first chapter. Stirling kicks the mystery off quickly, and leaves readers with the writing on the wall; Samantha Collins. He really does a masterful job of ferreting into your brain and dragging you along this quietly powerful story . . .

The beginning is quietly explosive – a fight in the middle of the night, a runaway child and mysterious phone calls from the missing girl. Andrew wonders at the reasons for Amelia’s disappearance, and knows that the entire neighbourhood is likewise curious as to her whereabouts. But Andrew’s mother and father remain tight-lipped and doggedly optimistic that she will return.

Andrew begins to realize that everyone is in on his family’s secret, except him. But now that a niggling has started in the back of Andrew’s mind, he can’t seem to switch off the lies around him. There’s his blind neighbour, Ruby, who lives in squalor she can’t see. Mrs Warnock watches her young, handsome neighbour from her window while her husband is at work. His best friend, Romeo, is terrified of his brutish father and secretly wishes for his death. All these lies and veneers and still Andrew is none the wiser about the lies within his own life . . .

"She never really belonged here," added my mother who had appeared in the doorway behind him. Her arms were folded. I stared back at the glass of Milo.
My father shifted uncomfortably in his chair. "Listen," he said. "It's not your job to run around interfering in adult problems . . ."
I stopped stirring the Milo and looked at him.
"Nobody tells me anything," I said, "so I have to find it out for myself."
My father glanced up at my mother. They weren't sure what to do next.
"Everyone has their own secrets," said my mother, "and just because you know them doesn't mean that you understand."

And then Amelia returns. She comes home carrying the weight of betrayal on her shoulders and it’s only a matter of time until Andrew catches up to his family’s secret. Will the lies affect him the same way they did Amelia? Or will Andrew choose to live the lie in sweet oblivion?

‘The Comet Box’ is a quietly unassuming novel. There’s a lot happening, but it’s never overtly explosive or melodramatic. The drama in the novel is more like ripples than waves. The novel is quite complex, using meteoric metaphors and Electra Complex characterizations. But Stirling revels in writing between the lines, rather than knocking his readers over the head with the obvious. He is clearly a writer who likes readers to work, to draw their own conclusions about character motivations and denials, and for that I am very grateful. ‘The Comet Box’ is a far more satisfying read for what Stirling holds back.

Even the compelling secret that pushes the story along is sadly suburban. An all too common hush-hush that many families experience. The point of the secret is more that it triggers Andrews’ self-awareness; marks his transition from child to adult and his own, small, version of ‘paradise lost’ within his family unit.

I loved ‘The Comet Box’. It’s one of those books that I started reading and two hours later I was on the last page, somewhat gobsmacked at how easily I was suckered in and carried away. Adrian Stirling got under my skin with this suburban mystery that reads like a river – calm on the surface, but with a whirlpool amassing in its depths. This was an utterly compelling and fascinating read for its intricate storytelling and mundane exposé of suburban secrecy.(less)

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May 27, 2011 Jess - The Tales Compendium rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: aussie, contemporary

The Comet Box is the story of one boy as he searches for answers in his slice of suburban Australian life in the 1980's. I don't think I have ever had so much trouble writing a review before. I really enjoyed it, but I have no idea why! I'm failing to put it into words but it's just a feeling that I had while reading it. It was a total page-turner but I can't pinpoint why it was, which is absolutely useless when trying to write a review!

Andrew is a curious fourteen-year-old who likes knowing wha...more

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May 28, 2011 Brodie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011

I had a hard time writing my review for this book because I could barely find the words to adequately give it justice. I was not expecting such a quietly powerful read. Once I got into the story, I could not put it down. The Comet Box transported me back to my childhood. While this is set in the late 80's and I grew up in the 90's, the atmosphere was still the same in essence. I felt like I was inside this novel and the scorching hot summer days, the neighbourhood BBQ's while parents gossiped ab...more I had a hard time writing my review for this book because I could barely find the words to adequately give it justice. I was not expecting such a quietly powerful read. Once I got into the story, I could not put it down. The Comet Box transported me back to my childhood. While this is set in the late 80's and I grew up in the 90's, the atmosphere was still the same in essence. I felt like I was inside this novel and the scorching hot summer days, the neighbourhood BBQ's while parents gossiped about that bad seed who lives across the street. Adrian Stirling's ability to capture the everyday Australian life was fantastic.

Andrew thought he knew everything about everyone in the suburb of Merton. But as we're introduced to these characters and the veil is slowly dropped, Andrew learns he hardly knows anything at all. And sometimes, the truth isn't so glamorous. Six months ago, his sister, Amelia, ran away from home leaving only a name behind on her bedroom wall: Samantha Collins. And that's all Andrew knows of why his sister suddenly left their lives. Now, with Haley's Comet on it's way and a box of secrets inspiring the need for truth, everything Andrew thought he knew about the people around him is about to change forever.

This isn't action packed book, yet it had me on the edge of my seat the whole time as we learn more about each of these characters and uncover, piece by piece, their own hidden story. When Amelia returned, I formed my own theories of why she left. Why she didn't want to come back. Why she made those constant phone calls during her disappearance. Why she was so angry. But I didn't guess right until just before it was revealed and the aftershocks of this revelation were shockingly intense and so very REAL. I can't stress enough how 'real' this book felt, in that Stirling really dug deep and explored the human nature, the depths of these characters. There's a particular scene toward the end that made me shudder. It is so powerful and represents how out of control and twisted ones need for vengeance and justice can get.

The Comet Box showed brilliantly the effect in which holding on to someones mistakes in life and allowing that to fester inside you, unable to forgive them, unable to move forward with your own life, can have on the individual and the people around them. Holding onto those feelings and the blame and the betrayal, making you want to hurt those around you in your own form of justice, it was eye opening to read. And tragic, the way that darkness clouds the mind, the heart and hinders that person from ever really moving on in their life.

This book really made me pause and literally look outside my window at my neighbourhood. Despite how close you might be to those you live next door to or anyone, really, in your life - you never really know what happens in their private life when all the visitors have gone home. There is a secret behind every single door in your neighbourhood. Every single house in your city. And while you may think you want to know everything about those around you, sometimes you're better off not knowing. When people ask whether you'd always want to know the truth or prefer to be kept in the dark - many would say they want the cold, hard facts, no matter the price. I know I would have. But then I read this book and it made me question that need, that continual quest for answers that we seek. Sometimes blissful ignorance really is better than the consequences of the truth.

I can't sing enough praise about Stirling's fantastic ability to both capture the Australian suburban lifestyle and the very heart of his readers as he takes you on an incredibly moving experience that will stay with you long after you finish reading. The Comet Box is a thoroughly engaging novel, sprinkled with a nice touch of humour and such a compelling cast of characters who are so well-defined and feel so recognisable - you could literally walk outside and meet that kind of person on the street - all set in a wonderfully Australian environment. I highly recommend you give this a read!(less)

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Jun 25, 2011 Jenny rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: aussie-ya-book-challenge-2011

Just borrowed from the library. It comes highly recommended and should fit into my Aussie YA challenge.

Now having finished this most unusual mystery I'm not quite sure how to describe my reaction. I felt compelled to read it quickly as the suspense about family secret that cause Amelia to leave home certainly drew me in to solve the mystery.

But, I'm not sure that I liked the book because it is so bleak, very sad. Can't say I'd recommend it to younger students, more for those in Year 9 and up.

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Oct 07, 2011 Kitt rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult

Really beautifully, simply written, evocative Aussie setting. Heart wrenching story about a boy trying to make sense of his complicated world. A little too dark at the end though for my liking, hence not five stars.

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Feb 11, 2012 Christina Batey rated it 4 of 5 stars

Well-written and gritty, I enjoyed the parallels of Andrews discovery of the pipeline under the suburb and the gradual uncovering of the secrets of its residents living in the houses above.

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Oct 30, 2012 Miquaelia rated it 3 of 5 stars

I thought it was alright but it is more for younger people then myself. I gave it to my ittle brother and he was quite into it.

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Sep 11, 2011 Kaz rated it 2 of 5 stars

I really wanted to like this book, but it just seemed boring... and kinda depressing. I found it hard to relate to the POV of a 14 year old boy. But I could relate to the setting of suburban Australia in 1986, although I was only 5 and don't remember Halley's comet. I got through this book really quickly, mostly because I just wanted to be done with it.
I feel like I should apologise for not liking it. I'm sorry Mr Stirling, don't take it personally -I just don't like books that have no romance,...more

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Nov 25, 2012 Sacha rated it 2 of 5 stars

Relevant themes for adolescents but the language and vocabulary was fairly simplistic. This was disappointing. Also, the ending was unsatisfactory.

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Sep 18, 2011 Meg added it

I really liked this book. It was the sort of book that you just didn't want tho put down.

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Apr 28, 2012 Roseandtrad rated it 1 of 5 stars

Worst piece of crap i have ever seen

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Dec 29, 2012 Cass - Words on Paper marked it as to-read

Shelves: 2011-release, review-copy, aussie, aussie-swap

I tried so hard. Thinking objectively though, it took me a whole week to read just 100 pp~ (half) of this book. I didn't care for the characters, nor did I feel compelled to read on. I hate not finishing review copies, but there are just too many books on my TBR to get bogged down with one book for so long.

STOPPED AT P 113~

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Aug 12, 2011 Gemma added it

i did not read this book but truly recommended it

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May 21, 2013 Courtney marked it as to-read

May 03, 2013 Jessica added it

Mar 24, 2013 ƑĿƟȒƐƝƇƐ rated it 3 of 5 stars

Mar 22, 2013 Jess De Awesome rated it 3 of 5 stars

Mar 20, 2013 Meghan riha marked it as to-read

Feb 25, 2013 Ciska marked it as to-read

Jan 18, 2013 Kylie Pilkington marked it as to-read

Jan 13, 2013 Erica marked it as to-read

Jan 12, 2013 Tim Pegler rated it 3 of 5 stars

Jan 02, 2013 Sarah marked it as to-read

Dec 25, 2012 Lia rated it 5 of 5 stars

Dec 23, 2012 Sammy! marked it as to-read

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The Comet Box

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