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The Science of Appearances
A brilliant story of family and heredity, of the things that bind us together and that wrench us apart.
Dominic and Mary are twins, but they are also opposites: Dominic, the first-born, is thoughtful and quiet, driven by the responsibility he feels over his father's death. His logical mind draws him towards the pursuit of science and knowledge. Mary, who loves to draw, is passionate and impetuous. The small country town in which they live, in the aftermath of World War II, is not enough to contain her ambitions for life and for love.
When Mary escapes to Melbourne in pursuit of sensuality and art, Dominic must shoulder the mantle of family responsibility. Mary begins a new life, exploring the bohemian haunts of a rapidly changing post-war city. Dominic studies hard and eventually finds himself drawn into the field of eugenics, a fraught pseudo-science based on ideology. Then he meets Hanna, the daughter of Jewish refugees, who begins to show him the limitations of his scientific view.
But Dominic and Mary are destined to come together, and the past cannot be left behind so easily. When Dominic comes looking for his sister, Mary must decide where her loyalties lie: to her family or to her art.
Dominic, meanwhile, bears a secret of his own.
This is a powerful novel about the choices we make in pursuit of our ideas, and the inexorable pull of the past. Set in an era of social constraint but profound genetic discovery, The Science of Appearances examines how the complex interplay of heredity and environment makes, shapes, and sometimes breaks us.
Dominic and Mary are twins, but they are also opposites: Dominic, the first-born, is thoughtful and quiet, driven by the responsibility he feels over his father's death. His logical mind draws him towards the pursuit of science and knowledge. Mary, who loves to draw, is passionate and impetuous. The small country town in which they live, in the aftermath of World War II, is not enough to contain her ambitions for life and for love.
When Mary escapes to Melbourne in pursuit of sensuality and art, Dominic must shoulder the mantle of family responsibility. Mary begins a new life, exploring the bohemian haunts of a rapidly changing post-war city. Dominic studies hard and eventually finds himself drawn into the field of eugenics, a fraught pseudo-science based on ideology. Then he meets Hanna, the daughter of Jewish refugees, who begins to show him the limitations of his scientific view.
But Dominic and Mary are destined to come together, and the past cannot be left behind so easily. When Dominic comes looking for his sister, Mary must decide where her loyalties lie: to her family or to her art.
Dominic, meanwhile, bears a secret of his own.
This is a powerful novel about the choices we make in pursuit of our ideas, and the inexorable pull of the past. Set in an era of social constraint but profound genetic discovery, The Science of Appearances examines how the complex interplay of heredity and environment makes, shapes, and sometimes breaks us.
304 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
October 3, 2017
An enjoyable read with many layers.
The various historical aspects of the time are in the background; rationing and unemployment, Catholics on the outer, Communism, pre-martial sex, Jews and the survivors. The characters of the non-identical twins Dom and Mary develop well and it was interesting to see their transition from small town Kyneton to the big smoke of Melbourne.
There is also a solid debate of nature and the environment versus the benefits/risks of the new science of genetics.
The various historical aspects of the time are in the background; rationing and unemployment, Catholics on the outer, Communism, pre-martial sex, Jews and the survivors. The characters of the non-identical twins Dom and Mary develop well and it was interesting to see their transition from small town Kyneton to the big smoke of Melbourne.
There is also a solid debate of nature and the environment versus the benefits/risks of the new science of genetics.
May 23, 2017
Imagine my excitement: foot in the door in a publishing business, things are going well, people praising my nascent work, and two weeks in I find out we get free books.
I'd finished Milk & Honey and Discipline and Punish the same day, on the train. And there happened to be laying in my department, a small pile of advance reading copies. They all looked pretty atrocious, except for this.
The story of two twins, male and female, chalk and cheese. A traumatic rending apart of the siblings. Set in Melbourne in the '50s and written by a medical doctor. It all sounded pretty appealing, given the bland alternatives of the others, or sitting solemnly without reception on the ride back to Wollongong.
I was wrong. I was very wrong. Dad, this is the wrongest I ever got it. This book, is written like the author has never in her life had a human conversation. An intimate connection. Fuck, it's as if the author has never had a single fleeting human experience. The portrayal of mid-century Aussie bloke culture is shudder-inducing. The picture of Mary, the rebellious runaway, feels like something the disembodied spirit of an 11-year-old girl trapped in an accountancy office hole-punch would dream of, not ever having engaged in a single spontaneous or rebellious act in her entire fucking existence. I refuse to force myself to recall ever again the portrayal of sex.
The last two acts of the book centre very heavily on Mary being an artist. This is not mentioned once in the first third of the book, and all of a sudden it's her defining trait. Then there's eugenics? For a little bit? In a half-arsed 'this was a thing, remember?' sort of way, without actually saying anything about anything in the process.
This book does nothing, says nothing, and goes nowhere, and it does it badly. It has no resolution, doesn't leave any profound questions unanswered. The ending is like the author finished up that particular chapter of an evening, sent the new draft to her agent, and forgot to put in the body of her email that this was an unfinished draft. Then was too embarassed to say anything as things got so terribly out of control and inflicted unto the world THE SCIENCE OF APPEARANCES.
If you're thinking about reading this book, I would like to suggest bleach-drinking as far more rewarding alternative.
I'd finished Milk & Honey and Discipline and Punish the same day, on the train. And there happened to be laying in my department, a small pile of advance reading copies. They all looked pretty atrocious, except for this.
The story of two twins, male and female, chalk and cheese. A traumatic rending apart of the siblings. Set in Melbourne in the '50s and written by a medical doctor. It all sounded pretty appealing, given the bland alternatives of the others, or sitting solemnly without reception on the ride back to Wollongong.
I was wrong. I was very wrong. Dad, this is the wrongest I ever got it. This book, is written like the author has never in her life had a human conversation. An intimate connection. Fuck, it's as if the author has never had a single fleeting human experience. The portrayal of mid-century Aussie bloke culture is shudder-inducing. The picture of Mary, the rebellious runaway, feels like something the disembodied spirit of an 11-year-old girl trapped in an accountancy office hole-punch would dream of, not ever having engaged in a single spontaneous or rebellious act in her entire fucking existence. I refuse to force myself to recall ever again the portrayal of sex.
The last two acts of the book centre very heavily on Mary being an artist. This is not mentioned once in the first third of the book, and all of a sudden it's her defining trait. Then there's eugenics? For a little bit? In a half-arsed 'this was a thing, remember?' sort of way, without actually saying anything about anything in the process.
This book does nothing, says nothing, and goes nowhere, and it does it badly. It has no resolution, doesn't leave any profound questions unanswered. The ending is like the author finished up that particular chapter of an evening, sent the new draft to her agent, and forgot to put in the body of her email that this was an unfinished draft. Then was too embarassed to say anything as things got so terribly out of control and inflicted unto the world THE SCIENCE OF APPEARANCES.
If you're thinking about reading this book, I would like to suggest bleach-drinking as far more rewarding alternative.
October 9, 2016
The Science of Appearances is Jacinta Halloran’s third novel, and although it’s less intense than its predecessors, I enjoyed it very much.
Dissection (2008, see my review) was Halloran’s debut: it tells the story of a doctor in personal and professional crisis when a malpractice suit is lodged against her. Pilgrimage (2012, see my review) is also an exploration of self-doubt, tracing the psychological journey of a paediatrician with a secular-scientific view of the world who is suddenly confronted by her mother’s desire to make a pilgrimage to Romania, seeking a miracle cure for her terminal illness. Both these novels focus on relationships in the lives of professional women and how they make things messy. The Science of Appearances has a broader canvas and a sunnier tone despite some confronting episodes. And this time the two central characters are non-identical twins, Dominic and Mary.
To read the rest of my review please visit https://anzlitlovers.com/2016/10/10/t...
Dissection (2008, see my review) was Halloran’s debut: it tells the story of a doctor in personal and professional crisis when a malpractice suit is lodged against her. Pilgrimage (2012, see my review) is also an exploration of self-doubt, tracing the psychological journey of a paediatrician with a secular-scientific view of the world who is suddenly confronted by her mother’s desire to make a pilgrimage to Romania, seeking a miracle cure for her terminal illness. Both these novels focus on relationships in the lives of professional women and how they make things messy. The Science of Appearances has a broader canvas and a sunnier tone despite some confronting episodes. And this time the two central characters are non-identical twins, Dominic and Mary.
To read the rest of my review please visit https://anzlitlovers.com/2016/10/10/t...
September 14, 2016
I enjoyed this tender exploration of nature vs environment through a memorable set of non-identical twins. This historical book traverses so many familiar stomping grounds: Kyneton, Coburg, Melbourne Uni, St Kilda but well before my time. I didn't enjoy the eugenics tangent though it is terrifying that Richard Berry (who has numerous buildings at the uni named after him) publically espoused eugenic ideas. I worried about Dominic and Mary so much but was happy that no major expected calamity befell them and their near-miss was completely left field. I loved Mary in particular. There were a few convenient connections that didn't ring true. Overall I'm not completely sure what to make of this book though I know I didn't completely love it.
September 25, 2016
A readable and entertaining slice of historical Melbourne, telling the story of twins who leave Kyneton for the big smoke. I liked but didn't love it - it's smartly constructed, and the portrait of an earlier Melbourne is lovely, but I didn't find the plot or the writing hugely memorable.
April 1, 2017
Very well written and intriguing story. Enjoyed the rich character development too.
April 24, 2017
A very enjoyable read, nice to recognise places in Melbourne.
September 24, 2023
took a bit of time for me to catch on to it but man mary is everything, also this book make me wanna start doing art & study botany & genetics
October 4, 2016
I was going to give this a three star rating because while it remains interesting throughout, there's a bit of a slump in the middle where things slow to a crawl and it all became a bit dull for me. Then, suddenly, a ridiculous number of things happen in the space of just a few pages. Overall, I enjoyed this book.
March 20, 2017
I thoroughly enjoyed this as so much of it was very familiar - country towns, class, Melbourne, uni etc. at times I felt like I was reading was a literary version of "The Sullivan's". Mary and Dom were interesting characters, a study of nature vs nurture. I'm not sure the undertones of scientific theory were clear enough or necessary but they weren't overwhelming. A good book.
September 30, 2016
A book that set the scene of the period with clarity. There were very interesting relationships between the main characters much of which was of a difficult nature.
Using the emerging science of genetics to show the bonding between the twins. Descriptions of places, mores of the era, as well as the interpersonal relationships were very well written. A book that kept one reading to see what developed and how it would resolve the difficult personal relationships.
Using the emerging science of genetics to show the bonding between the twins. Descriptions of places, mores of the era, as well as the interpersonal relationships were very well written. A book that kept one reading to see what developed and how it would resolve the difficult personal relationships.
August 26, 2016
Excellent read and great sense of place in 1950s Victoria.
November 8, 2018
Twins Dominic and Mary are growing up in country Victoria in (although not specified) I think the late 40's early 50's? Dom arrives home one day to an emergency - his father is unwell, a heart attack, and he is sent to fetch the doctor... but his father dies. Mary is forced to leave school and clean at the local Presbytery to help make ends meet, but unwelcome advances from a predatory local priest are the catalyst to her running away to Melbourne to chase her artistic dreams and forge a life for herself. Dom feels an unwarranted sense of responsibility for his father's death, and after working for some time at the Woodend Post Office he is gifted the money to go to Melbourne and study science... something logical that may help him make sense of things.
The bond shared by twins is strong, and as Dominic pursues his studies he often wonders where Mary is, what she is doing and if she is safe. Mary is working in a cafe in St Kilda and working as a life model to pay for art classes. Little do they know how close they are to each other, and as Dom searches for Mary he uncovers a secret that could affect them both.
This started out beautifully... I loved the writing style and the descriptions of small-town country Victoria, then the evocative images of University life and the world of the Bohemian artsy crowd in Melbourne. About 2 thirds of the way in the story started to drag a little for me though, and I struggled to the end... although with about 30 pages to go I was blindsided by a revelation that gave it enough grunt to carry through to the end.
Enjoyable, tinged with some emotion.
The bond shared by twins is strong, and as Dominic pursues his studies he often wonders where Mary is, what she is doing and if she is safe. Mary is working in a cafe in St Kilda and working as a life model to pay for art classes. Little do they know how close they are to each other, and as Dom searches for Mary he uncovers a secret that could affect them both.
This started out beautifully... I loved the writing style and the descriptions of small-town country Victoria, then the evocative images of University life and the world of the Bohemian artsy crowd in Melbourne. About 2 thirds of the way in the story started to drag a little for me though, and I struggled to the end... although with about 30 pages to go I was blindsided by a revelation that gave it enough grunt to carry through to the end.
Enjoyable, tinged with some emotion.
October 21, 2016
A beautiful book highlighting the 1950's era in rural Victoria and Melbourne which I love to examine and delve into. An interesting exploration of genetics and DNA, which at times became a little overwhelming from a non-science brain. I didn't warm to the characters, particularly Mary but was interested enough to continue reading. The ending seemed a little rushed and was full of far more delicious material for deeper probing rather than quite detailed descriptions of the genetics element.
January 26, 2018
This was a book that was full of possibilities but ultimately too simplistic and contrived to make the most of them. The author received a grant from the Australian government - I want my money back. Very disappointing.
May 6, 2018
Vividly written, with rich and well-crafted characters and a compelling storyline. The events of the story didn't progress a lot, but the characters did. It was good to find an author who doesn't rely on crazy events and plot twists to craft a breathtaking narrative.
January 28, 2021
An interesting read about family and how simple happenings can pull you a part. There were so many paths this book took and it gave you a real feeling for the 1950’s. Choices people make that affect their relationships.
April 3, 2018
I love books that have the distinctive gothic Australian feel, and even more so if it’s set in Melbourne. I really enjoyed this book and the end was incredible, I didn’t see it coming at all.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 24, 2023
Good story - but the ending fell flat
June 11, 2023
Some good twists and turns. It was nice having it set in Melbourne and Kyneton and having some parts based on true events.
Read
June 27, 2024dnf
November 23, 2016
Occasionally you open a book and immediately delight in the artistry of its prose, lingering on passages that are crafted with a deft and thoughtful hand by a masterly observer of human spirit and behaviour.
Jacinta Halloran's third novel, The Science of Appearances is such a book and it rewards the reader not just with its insightful and graceful writing, but with characters that are richly and lovingly drawn so that the reader's affection for them endures well beyond the final pages.
Twins Dominic and Mary share their mother's womb and a childhood in post-war country Victoria, where religion, class, poverty and gender all conspire to thwart their youthful promise and talent.
In adolescence, the twins are separated and each begins to plot their own path to wisdom and fulfilment. Mary’s quest for artistic vitality takes her to Melbourne, where she surrenders to the thrill of a lively community of artists, musicians, thinkers and lovers – devouring new experiences that are worlds away from the reticence and conservatism found in her home town. Only one link to Mary’s past endures in the city, and that is a tepid and disproportionate relationship with Dominic’s former schoolmate, Robbie. Mary’s affection and appetite for the union is in sharp contrast to Robbie’s evasive and secretive treatment of the affair but Halloran never succumbs to pity for a wronged or exploited heroine. Her Mary is unguarded and intentionally vulnerable – savouring the pains, punishments and rewards of a life lived true to oneself.
Dominic takes a more calculated route to Melbourne when fortune sends him into the venerable halls of academia. In the city, he, like Mary, discovers the dizzying pleasures of sex and first love – and a community of thinkers in his chosen field of science. In this pursuit of knowledge, Dominic discovers that the clarity and precision of his beloved sciences are challenged when he is introduced to the contradictions and politics of eugenics. It is a rude awakening that has significance for Dominic’s romantic relationship, and ultimately his own and Mary’s future.
This is a nostalgic and beautiful story of two young Australians falling into adulthood without the cushions of privilege and permissibility – and of the infrangible ties created by shared genes and secrets. It is an absolute joy to read.
Jacinta Halloran's third novel, The Science of Appearances is such a book and it rewards the reader not just with its insightful and graceful writing, but with characters that are richly and lovingly drawn so that the reader's affection for them endures well beyond the final pages.
Twins Dominic and Mary share their mother's womb and a childhood in post-war country Victoria, where religion, class, poverty and gender all conspire to thwart their youthful promise and talent.
In adolescence, the twins are separated and each begins to plot their own path to wisdom and fulfilment. Mary’s quest for artistic vitality takes her to Melbourne, where she surrenders to the thrill of a lively community of artists, musicians, thinkers and lovers – devouring new experiences that are worlds away from the reticence and conservatism found in her home town. Only one link to Mary’s past endures in the city, and that is a tepid and disproportionate relationship with Dominic’s former schoolmate, Robbie. Mary’s affection and appetite for the union is in sharp contrast to Robbie’s evasive and secretive treatment of the affair but Halloran never succumbs to pity for a wronged or exploited heroine. Her Mary is unguarded and intentionally vulnerable – savouring the pains, punishments and rewards of a life lived true to oneself.
Dominic takes a more calculated route to Melbourne when fortune sends him into the venerable halls of academia. In the city, he, like Mary, discovers the dizzying pleasures of sex and first love – and a community of thinkers in his chosen field of science. In this pursuit of knowledge, Dominic discovers that the clarity and precision of his beloved sciences are challenged when he is introduced to the contradictions and politics of eugenics. It is a rude awakening that has significance for Dominic’s romantic relationship, and ultimately his own and Mary’s future.
This is a nostalgic and beautiful story of two young Australians falling into adulthood without the cushions of privilege and permissibility – and of the infrangible ties created by shared genes and secrets. It is an absolute joy to read.
February 15, 2017
I enjoyed this well written book. It was a leisurely read. The story of boy/girl twins born in Australia and taking different paths was interesting. Both stories were believable and although this wasn't an "exciting" book in the sense of crime or intrigue, it had enough twists an unexpected turns to keep me interested.
October 4, 2016
This is a really enjoyable read - telling the story of twins, a brother and sister - Dominic and Mary, from their early days in country Victoria into adulthood in post war Melbourne. Halloran's prose is rich without being flashy and I was convinced by her characters and cared about the challenges which beset them both. The threads of their lives and the other people who surround them are cleverly woven. There are family secrets, revealed near the end, which add depth to the story and keep the reader thinking about it long after having turned the last page.
January 28, 2017
I really enjoyed this; beautifully descriptive. It echoed fond memories of my year living in Kyneton, while the predicaments of the twins and their mother rang true. The end felt rushed, compared to the earlier pace. Considering lots of new information kept being layered in, I felt a bit skittled and unsettled at the end, wanted a postscript.
June 10, 2017
My March 2017 book club book.
A coming of age story about two very different twins growing into two very different people. While I didn't quite fall for the characters (though that's on me, bildungsroman is not my genre) it was hard not to root for these two to come out on top. Human, enjoyable, a lovely book.
A coming of age story about two very different twins growing into two very different people. While I didn't quite fall for the characters (though that's on me, bildungsroman is not my genre) it was hard not to root for these two to come out on top. Human, enjoyable, a lovely book.
October 3, 2016
loved it
October 25, 2016
I loved this portrait of rural Victorian and Melbourne life in the 1940s and 50s. Part coming of age novel and part history of science, art and bohemian life, it was a joy from first page to last.
November 10, 2016
Notes for me: Fraternal twins Mary & Dominic and their separate yet intertwined metamorphosis into adulthood in country Victoria/Melbourne in the '50s.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews