What do you think?
Rate this book
Snake Island
Vernon and Penelope Moore never want to see their son Caleb again. Not after he hit his wife and ended up in gaol. A lifetime of careful parental love wiped out in a moment.
But when retired teacher Vernon hears that Caleb is being regularly visited and savagely bashed by a local criminal as the police stand by, he knows he has to act. What has his life been as a father if he turns his back on his son in his hour of desperate need? He realises with shame that he has failed Caleb. But no longer.
The father of the man bashing Caleb is head of a violent crime family. The town lives in fear of him but Vernon is determined to fix things in a civilised way, father to father. If he shows respect, he reasons, it will be reciprocated. But how wrong he is.
And what hell has he brought down on his family?
Reading like a morality tale Western but in a starkly beautiful Australian setting, Snake Island is a propulsive literary thriller written with great clarity and power. It will take you to the edge and keep you there long after the final page is turned.
But when retired teacher Vernon hears that Caleb is being regularly visited and savagely bashed by a local criminal as the police stand by, he knows he has to act. What has his life been as a father if he turns his back on his son in his hour of desperate need? He realises with shame that he has failed Caleb. But no longer.
The father of the man bashing Caleb is head of a violent crime family. The town lives in fear of him but Vernon is determined to fix things in a civilised way, father to father. If he shows respect, he reasons, it will be reciprocated. But how wrong he is.
And what hell has he brought down on his family?
Reading like a morality tale Western but in a starkly beautiful Australian setting, Snake Island is a propulsive literary thriller written with great clarity and power. It will take you to the edge and keep you there long after the final page is turned.
334 pages, Paperback
First published August 5, 2019
27 people are currently reading
394 people want to read
About the author
Ben Hobson
3 books81 followersBen Hobson lives in Brisbane and is entirely keen on his wife, Lena, and their two small boys, Charlie and Henry. He also has a superb pooch named Lincoln, which Charlie forced him to write about in his biography. He currently teaches English and Music at a Queensland High School, and has a keen interest in philosophy, theology, writing and reading.
Born in Gippsland, Victoria, Ben grew up surrounded by the sights and smells of the country. His early interest in creativity saw him pursue music both academically and artistically, graduating from QUT in 2011 with a degree, and travelling the country with Sounds Like Chicken, a ska/rock/hardcore hybrid.
In 2014 his novella, If the Saddle Breaks My Spine, was shortlisted for the Viva La Novella prize, run by Seizureonline. To Become a Whale, his debut novel, was released in June 2017, by Allen & Unwin. His second novel, Snake Island, was released in August 2019.
Born in Gippsland, Victoria, Ben grew up surrounded by the sights and smells of the country. His early interest in creativity saw him pursue music both academically and artistically, graduating from QUT in 2011 with a degree, and travelling the country with Sounds Like Chicken, a ska/rock/hardcore hybrid.
In 2014 his novella, If the Saddle Breaks My Spine, was shortlisted for the Viva La Novella prize, run by Seizureonline. To Become a Whale, his debut novel, was released in June 2017, by Allen & Unwin. His second novel, Snake Island, was released in August 2019.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 109 reviews
August 8, 2019
You know, when I started reading this book I didn't think I was going like it, but soon found myself totally immersed in it and read it in a day. It wasn't that I became invested in the characters, they were all horrible! I think I was compelled to read more about the train wreck they had all made of their lives.
It starts out with Vernon visiting his estranged son in prison, after learning that he'd been badly beaten by a local thug, with the authorities turning a blind eye. He decides to go and talk to the thug's father, man to man, but as this man is the local drug king pin, with the police in his pocket, things aren't as easy as Vernon hopes. Let's just say everything goes to shit from there on in.
I found Snake Island to be a fascinating study of human behaviour. Some characters, when finding that things have gotten out of hand finally striving for redemption, just to find it get further and further out of their reach. Other characters just figure that they're going to hell anyway. Ben Hobson has woven a tale here that drags you in, then spits you out the other side, and you find yourself shaking your head wondering what just happened. It's my first book by this author, but definitely wont be my last. Recommended.
My thanks to Allen & Unwin for an uncorrected proof to read and review. The opinions are entirely my own.
It starts out with Vernon visiting his estranged son in prison, after learning that he'd been badly beaten by a local thug, with the authorities turning a blind eye. He decides to go and talk to the thug's father, man to man, but as this man is the local drug king pin, with the police in his pocket, things aren't as easy as Vernon hopes. Let's just say everything goes to shit from there on in.
I found Snake Island to be a fascinating study of human behaviour. Some characters, when finding that things have gotten out of hand finally striving for redemption, just to find it get further and further out of their reach. Other characters just figure that they're going to hell anyway. Ben Hobson has woven a tale here that drags you in, then spits you out the other side, and you find yourself shaking your head wondering what just happened. It's my first book by this author, but definitely wont be my last. Recommended.
My thanks to Allen & Unwin for an uncorrected proof to read and review. The opinions are entirely my own.
August 23, 2019
After Vernon and Penelope Moore’s son Caleb committed a terrible crime they decided they never wanted to see him again. Locked away in jail was the best spot for him as far as they were concerned. But jail could be a lonely and a very bad place and Caleb was finding this out very quickly after being beaten up rather badly.
The one person who might be able to help stop Caleb from being beaten up was his father. Once Vernon visits Caleb he knows he can’t simply stand by and let the beatings go on even though Caleb only has himself to blame for ending up in jail. Attempting to stop the beatings will mean Vernon must mix with some very tough people which could lead to putting his whole family in danger, but if he doesn’t try Caleb may never survive in prison.
I was really looking forward to reading this book and after reading the first few chapters I must say I wasn’t overly keen on it. But a bit further on and I began to enjoy it and found myself totally absorbed in the story and before I knew it I was on the last page. Snake Island by Aussie author Ben Hobson was another well composed and very entertaining read which I highly recommend.
With thanks to Allen & Unwin for my uncorrected proof ARC to read and review.
The one person who might be able to help stop Caleb from being beaten up was his father. Once Vernon visits Caleb he knows he can’t simply stand by and let the beatings go on even though Caleb only has himself to blame for ending up in jail. Attempting to stop the beatings will mean Vernon must mix with some very tough people which could lead to putting his whole family in danger, but if he doesn’t try Caleb may never survive in prison.
I was really looking forward to reading this book and after reading the first few chapters I must say I wasn’t overly keen on it. But a bit further on and I began to enjoy it and found myself totally absorbed in the story and before I knew it I was on the last page. Snake Island by Aussie author Ben Hobson was another well composed and very entertaining read which I highly recommend.
With thanks to Allen & Unwin for my uncorrected proof ARC to read and review.
November 17, 2019
I'm going to try and keep this brief because I just started a week of annual leave and I have a lot of books waiting patiently for my attention!
I'm still not sure how I feel about this one, to be honest. It was an easy enough read, sure, but towards the end I was over it a little bit, and that led to a little skimming. There is a LOT of guilt in this book and there's only so much of people feeling sorry for themselves that I can put up with.
Plot: Caleb Moore is in prison after beating the snot out of his wife. His parents, Vernon and Penelope, don't want anything to do with him, but then they discover he's copping beatings himself from Brendan Cahill, and it begins a chain reaction of sordid activity from a bunch of cowards and a-holes in a small Aussie town.
It's an intriguing story, but these characters are all pretty easy to despise. Let me break it down:
Caleb: Wife beater
Vernon: Solves problems with threats
Sharon: No backbone
The entire Cahill family: Drug-dealing losers who solve all problems with violence
Rev. Kelly: Preacher of the worst kind of preaching
I despised them all, basically, which does not make for a good time.
I did, however, enjoy that contemplation of family relationship vs my-son-is-a-scumbag. I mean, I kinda hate it a little bit that we're supposed to feel sorry for a guy who pummelled his wife, but I do think it's important to show that parents should support their kids no matter what, even if they don't approve of the behaviour.
Sidebar: I remember asking my mum once when I was a teenager if she would stick by me if I murdered someone (I was a dark kid, I guess). And I'm pretty sure she was a bit conflicted over me asking such a morbid question (sorry mum) but she answered that I would never do that, and if I did I'd have had a pretty good reason. And she hoped that I would never murder anyone but whatever wrong choices I made I was her daughter and she would love me no matter what. (Just to clarify: I have never murdered anyone, nor do I intend to. I'm a very nice person. Please don't be afraid.)
So yeah, I think it was pretty interesting for me to feel the conflict between hating this wife-beater but also supporting his parents in wanting to protect him. Such a fascinating dynamic.
Of course, once that was kind of discussed, we were left with the rest of the sordid activities and violence and basically everyone solving things with their fists and guns and rolling over and letting themselves be manipulated. This was not a fun time.
There are a lot of moral grey areas here and conflicting ideas, wondering what you'd do in a similar situation, but overall I just got so sick of reading about these people who brought their troubles on themselves. It made me sad.
Also, hated the writing style. Short sentences. Poorly formatted. Incomplete. Ideas not properly explained. Can't even demonstrate properly with this sentence. Too terrible. Beyond my skill. Choppy. Lazy. PLEASE JUST USE COMPLETE SENTENCES AND IDEAS. I need that sweet, sweet flow of language.
All in all, some great ideas to contemplate, horrible characters and writing you will either love or hate. I didn't hate it, but it's not one I'll be raving about any time soon.
With thanks to A&U for an uncorrected proof copy to read and review.
I'm still not sure how I feel about this one, to be honest. It was an easy enough read, sure, but towards the end I was over it a little bit, and that led to a little skimming. There is a LOT of guilt in this book and there's only so much of people feeling sorry for themselves that I can put up with.
Plot: Caleb Moore is in prison after beating the snot out of his wife. His parents, Vernon and Penelope, don't want anything to do with him, but then they discover he's copping beatings himself from Brendan Cahill, and it begins a chain reaction of sordid activity from a bunch of cowards and a-holes in a small Aussie town.
It's an intriguing story, but these characters are all pretty easy to despise. Let me break it down:
Caleb: Wife beater
Vernon: Solves problems with threats
Sharon: No backbone
The entire Cahill family: Drug-dealing losers who solve all problems with violence
Rev. Kelly: Preacher of the worst kind of preaching
I despised them all, basically, which does not make for a good time.
I did, however, enjoy that contemplation of family relationship vs my-son-is-a-scumbag. I mean, I kinda hate it a little bit that we're supposed to feel sorry for a guy who pummelled his wife, but I do think it's important to show that parents should support their kids no matter what, even if they don't approve of the behaviour.
Sidebar: I remember asking my mum once when I was a teenager if she would stick by me if I murdered someone (I was a dark kid, I guess). And I'm pretty sure she was a bit conflicted over me asking such a morbid question (sorry mum) but she answered that I would never do that, and if I did I'd have had a pretty good reason. And she hoped that I would never murder anyone but whatever wrong choices I made I was her daughter and she would love me no matter what. (Just to clarify: I have never murdered anyone, nor do I intend to. I'm a very nice person. Please don't be afraid.)
So yeah, I think it was pretty interesting for me to feel the conflict between hating this wife-beater but also supporting his parents in wanting to protect him. Such a fascinating dynamic.
Of course, once that was kind of discussed, we were left with the rest of the sordid activities and violence and basically everyone solving things with their fists and guns and rolling over and letting themselves be manipulated. This was not a fun time.
There are a lot of moral grey areas here and conflicting ideas, wondering what you'd do in a similar situation, but overall I just got so sick of reading about these people who brought their troubles on themselves. It made me sad.
Also, hated the writing style. Short sentences. Poorly formatted. Incomplete. Ideas not properly explained. Can't even demonstrate properly with this sentence. Too terrible. Beyond my skill. Choppy. Lazy. PLEASE JUST USE COMPLETE SENTENCES AND IDEAS. I need that sweet, sweet flow of language.
All in all, some great ideas to contemplate, horrible characters and writing you will either love or hate. I didn't hate it, but it's not one I'll be raving about any time soon.
With thanks to A&U for an uncorrected proof copy to read and review.
December 28, 2020
One of the fastest moving suspense-thrillers I've read in 2020.
An easy going veteran of World War II and his wife are whiling away their years in a small Australian coastal town. She bowls with her friends most days; he sits and watches the tides roll in and out from his backyard perch and ruminates on the passage of time and the pointless loss of life he witnessed in Guinea during his time in the Army.
They rarely discuss the main tragedy in their lives.
Their son is doing a spell in a minimum security prison for repeatedly beating his former wife to the point of having disfigured her.
They haven’t visited their son once in the two years he’s been incarcerated.
The author is a master of suspense. He has populated this novel with a score of memorable characters and the novel itself is a tightly plotted tale of suspense peppered with outbursts of bone shattering violence and truckloads of assorted gunplay and run-of-the-mill mayhem.
Highest Possible Recommendation!
October 18, 2020
Opening with a pelican injured on the beach, this story of families, their history and choices which create turmoil and unintended consequences is revealed. Each chapter is voiced by a different character as the action unfolds of life and events in a rural Australian setting. Whilst some readers may see echoes of an aussie style western, ‘Snake Island’ is a much more nuanced study of life. It is gritty, but the violence is contextualised in the saga of fathers, families and what it means to be your true self in times of struggle and the unforeseen consequences of decisions. A most welcome addition to aussie crime mystery genre, with its vivid characters, multifaceted relationships leading to dark places and stark outcomes. A brilliant read and five stars.
September 8, 2019
4.5★s
Snake Island is the second novel by Australian teacher and author, Ben Hobson. When his old friend, Reverend William Kelly brings news of his son’s condition, Vernon Moore realises his callous attitude has been remiss. Caleb was convicted and imprisoned for domestic violence, and Vernon and his wife, Penelope cut off all contact: they couldn’t forgive him for this behaviour.
But jail time is one thing; being regularly beaten up with the tacit approval of the prison governor? That is another thing entirely. Vernon has to do something. His (perhaps rather naïve) solution is to calmly appeal to the father of the man meting out this punishment. Brendan Cahill has decided the formal punishment administered by the law is insufficient, and he will give Caleb what he really deserves for hurting his friend, Melissa.
But his father, Ernie Cahill is a hard man who has turned from sheep farming to hydroponic pot growing and who deals with some ruthless Melbourne types to sell his product. He has the local cops in his pocket and, understandably, keeps a low profile locally. That first encounter with Vernon does not go well. And from there on, things go rapidly downhill. Vernon initially has little idea what he has brought down on his family and close friends.
The plot crashes along like a train wreck, each act compounding those before it while the reader follows, enthralled, to the tragic climax. A collision with a roo, fists and boots and a cricket bat, and arson all contribute to the (not inconsiderable) toll of injuries while quite a lot of shooting sees a high body count by the final pages. This is not a gentle book.
With his evocative descriptive prose, Hobson easily captures the era and the feel of country-town Victoria. His characters are multi-faceted and believably flawed. Their dialogue is authentic. Some make poor decisions when faced with moral choices, while others display a fierce loyalty that pays a terrible dividend. Several whose actions have been governed by fear or material gain find a conscience and draw a line under their corrupt behaviour.
For all that, most are characters of some integrity who keenly feel their guilt and grief and remorse, who love their families in their own ways, even if their actions sometimes seem to belie that. The strength of this rural crime thriller is in the depth of these characters and their interactions. This is a powerful follow up from a talented author.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by Allen & Unwin.
Snake Island is the second novel by Australian teacher and author, Ben Hobson. When his old friend, Reverend William Kelly brings news of his son’s condition, Vernon Moore realises his callous attitude has been remiss. Caleb was convicted and imprisoned for domestic violence, and Vernon and his wife, Penelope cut off all contact: they couldn’t forgive him for this behaviour.
But jail time is one thing; being regularly beaten up with the tacit approval of the prison governor? That is another thing entirely. Vernon has to do something. His (perhaps rather naïve) solution is to calmly appeal to the father of the man meting out this punishment. Brendan Cahill has decided the formal punishment administered by the law is insufficient, and he will give Caleb what he really deserves for hurting his friend, Melissa.
But his father, Ernie Cahill is a hard man who has turned from sheep farming to hydroponic pot growing and who deals with some ruthless Melbourne types to sell his product. He has the local cops in his pocket and, understandably, keeps a low profile locally. That first encounter with Vernon does not go well. And from there on, things go rapidly downhill. Vernon initially has little idea what he has brought down on his family and close friends.
The plot crashes along like a train wreck, each act compounding those before it while the reader follows, enthralled, to the tragic climax. A collision with a roo, fists and boots and a cricket bat, and arson all contribute to the (not inconsiderable) toll of injuries while quite a lot of shooting sees a high body count by the final pages. This is not a gentle book.
With his evocative descriptive prose, Hobson easily captures the era and the feel of country-town Victoria. His characters are multi-faceted and believably flawed. Their dialogue is authentic. Some make poor decisions when faced with moral choices, while others display a fierce loyalty that pays a terrible dividend. Several whose actions have been governed by fear or material gain find a conscience and draw a line under their corrupt behaviour.
For all that, most are characters of some integrity who keenly feel their guilt and grief and remorse, who love their families in their own ways, even if their actions sometimes seem to belie that. The strength of this rural crime thriller is in the depth of these characters and their interactions. This is a powerful follow up from a talented author.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by Allen & Unwin.
December 24, 2019
*https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
4.5 stars
‘Was there goodness in this world? It didn’t seem there was.’
Morality and good vs evil is the focal point in Queensland based author Ben Hobson’s second novel. Snake Island is a tale of revenge, violence, loyalty, desire and retribution. At times dark, grim and overwhelming, this novel will consume you from the first page, to the parting word. Snake Island is an incredibly soulful and reflective tale, from an author I have come to admire very much.
Snake Island introduces an expansive set of characters and one of the more memorable protagonists of this consuming tale is Vernon Moore. Vernon is a retired teacher, who is troubled by the incarceration of his son Caleb, for beating his wife. Both Vernon and his wife Penelope disowned their son when he was sent to jail for this crime, and neither has visited him in jail. When an old friend of Vernon’s informs him that his son has been the target of a number of seemingly unprovoked prison attacks, something stirs in this old man’s soul. When he learns that the authorities are doing nothing about these violent episodes, Vernon is compelled to act on behalf of his son. Questions of fatherhood and parental support circulate around this character as Vernon faces up against a local criminal gang who are behind these violent acts. Small town politics also come into play as Vernon steps up to the plate to defend his son. In facing the local leader of the criminal gang assaulting his son, Vernon places his life in danger. These people are not accepting, respectful, or forgiving. Vernon faces the fight of his life as he saves his son and family from further destruction in this chiselled new tale from Ben Hobson.
Ben Hobson first burst onto the Australian literary scene in 2017 with his unforgettable and touching novel, To Become a Whale. I am a fan of Hobson’s work and I have been awaiting his new novel with eager eyes. Although contrasted to his debut, I could see the continued brilliance of Hobson’s prose within Snake Island. Hobson has a way with words that sets him apart from other authors I have encountered. In Snake Island, it is evident that Hobson has refined his craft and branched out further afield. Hobson delivers a new novel that really packs a punch.
The opening scene of Snake Island is confronting, brave and introspective. It helps to set the overall tone of the novel and it poses a number of pertinent questions. These questions revolve around the themes of right vs wrong, as well as our sense of humanity, along with the lines of morality. I was visibly moved by the propulsive introduction to Snake Island and it certainly enticed me to stick with this tale until the bitter end. Hobson explores a bevy of conflicts from abuse, systematic violence, incarceration, domestic violence, relationships, parental bonds, religious beliefs, morality, self preservation and vengeance. It is a full and involving narrative, that evokes plenty of emotion. Underscoring this is the small town atmosphere, which is a cesspool of violence, self destruction and greed. The surrounding environment of Snake Island is carefully expressed by Ben Hobson on the pages of his second novel.
Hobson is completely in command of his character set and he displays great finesse in this department. We are acquainted with a number of protagonists in this novel and we come to understand their hopes, fears, motivations and desires. Some I felt a deeper affinity to than others, as some let us in, while others keep us at a distance. Snake Island is a rich and character driven novel, supported by Hobson’s measured prose. The language and tone has an immediacy and preciseness that I appreciated very much.
Hobson finalises his book with a highly dramatic crescendo of events, which have been simmering in the background, waiting to boil over. I do warn you, it is a violent and confrontational end, but it is in keeping with the overall direction of the novel. I was jolted internally by Snake Island, it certainly defines the genre, a literary thriller. I do wonder what Ben Hobson will conjure up next, I’m excited!
‘He wanted it to rain. The sky was blue. Maybe what Kelly had said was true and all their lives had meaning.’
*Thanks extended to Allen & Unwin for providing a free copy of this book for review purposes.
*Book #12 of the 2019 Aussie male author challenge.
4.5 stars
‘Was there goodness in this world? It didn’t seem there was.’
Morality and good vs evil is the focal point in Queensland based author Ben Hobson’s second novel. Snake Island is a tale of revenge, violence, loyalty, desire and retribution. At times dark, grim and overwhelming, this novel will consume you from the first page, to the parting word. Snake Island is an incredibly soulful and reflective tale, from an author I have come to admire very much.
Snake Island introduces an expansive set of characters and one of the more memorable protagonists of this consuming tale is Vernon Moore. Vernon is a retired teacher, who is troubled by the incarceration of his son Caleb, for beating his wife. Both Vernon and his wife Penelope disowned their son when he was sent to jail for this crime, and neither has visited him in jail. When an old friend of Vernon’s informs him that his son has been the target of a number of seemingly unprovoked prison attacks, something stirs in this old man’s soul. When he learns that the authorities are doing nothing about these violent episodes, Vernon is compelled to act on behalf of his son. Questions of fatherhood and parental support circulate around this character as Vernon faces up against a local criminal gang who are behind these violent acts. Small town politics also come into play as Vernon steps up to the plate to defend his son. In facing the local leader of the criminal gang assaulting his son, Vernon places his life in danger. These people are not accepting, respectful, or forgiving. Vernon faces the fight of his life as he saves his son and family from further destruction in this chiselled new tale from Ben Hobson.
Ben Hobson first burst onto the Australian literary scene in 2017 with his unforgettable and touching novel, To Become a Whale. I am a fan of Hobson’s work and I have been awaiting his new novel with eager eyes. Although contrasted to his debut, I could see the continued brilliance of Hobson’s prose within Snake Island. Hobson has a way with words that sets him apart from other authors I have encountered. In Snake Island, it is evident that Hobson has refined his craft and branched out further afield. Hobson delivers a new novel that really packs a punch.
The opening scene of Snake Island is confronting, brave and introspective. It helps to set the overall tone of the novel and it poses a number of pertinent questions. These questions revolve around the themes of right vs wrong, as well as our sense of humanity, along with the lines of morality. I was visibly moved by the propulsive introduction to Snake Island and it certainly enticed me to stick with this tale until the bitter end. Hobson explores a bevy of conflicts from abuse, systematic violence, incarceration, domestic violence, relationships, parental bonds, religious beliefs, morality, self preservation and vengeance. It is a full and involving narrative, that evokes plenty of emotion. Underscoring this is the small town atmosphere, which is a cesspool of violence, self destruction and greed. The surrounding environment of Snake Island is carefully expressed by Ben Hobson on the pages of his second novel.
Hobson is completely in command of his character set and he displays great finesse in this department. We are acquainted with a number of protagonists in this novel and we come to understand their hopes, fears, motivations and desires. Some I felt a deeper affinity to than others, as some let us in, while others keep us at a distance. Snake Island is a rich and character driven novel, supported by Hobson’s measured prose. The language and tone has an immediacy and preciseness that I appreciated very much.
Hobson finalises his book with a highly dramatic crescendo of events, which have been simmering in the background, waiting to boil over. I do warn you, it is a violent and confrontational end, but it is in keeping with the overall direction of the novel. I was jolted internally by Snake Island, it certainly defines the genre, a literary thriller. I do wonder what Ben Hobson will conjure up next, I’m excited!
‘He wanted it to rain. The sky was blue. Maybe what Kelly had said was true and all their lives had meaning.’
*Thanks extended to Allen & Unwin for providing a free copy of this book for review purposes.
*Book #12 of the 2019 Aussie male author challenge.
August 5, 2019
Having grown up in Gippsland, the title of Ben Hobson's debut novel Snake Island immediately grabbed my attention. Snake Island is a real island that sits off the coast of southern Victoria. Uninhabited, it covers about 35 square kilometres and has been used by farmers, bushwalkers and tourists. Australian author Ben Hobson is now based in Queensland but grew up in regional Victoria in the 1990s. He has expertly used this district as the setting for a fast-paced crime thriller that had me from the get go.
Vernon Moore's son Caleb is doing time in a minimum security jail nearby for domestic assault. Vernon and his wife haven't seen their son since his incarceration, both believing he needs tough love.
Sharon Wornkin is a Policewoman in the service of the local crime family, the Cahills. Brendan Cahill and his family grow marijuana and sell it to guys from Melbourne who travel to their district to collect the packaged product. The Cahill family are secretive and carry a lot of sway in the town with many residents afraid to speak out against them.
Things kick off when Vernon learns Brendan Cahill has assaulted Caleb in jail. Vernon's paternal protective instincts kick in and he'll do anything to get Brendan to back off and leave his son alone. This crisis swiftly unites the Moore family and they're forced to respond.
Fuelled by small town gossip and a sense of family loyalty by both families, the situation goes from bad to worse. Others get caught up in the feud and I was on edge the entire time wanting to know what was going to happen.
Each of the characters is flawed in their own way and each made decisions that either failed to halt the crisis or added fuel to the fire. Each character was memorable and realistic as they explored the often complex relationships between fathers and sons as well as themes of duty, forgiveness, regret, retribution, the cycle of violence, familial love and legacy.
I was able to recognise several places in the rural landscape by their descriptions alone and this added to my reading enjoyment. The novel moved towards a tense and action-packed finale that left me pondering the motives and lives of those living alongside us.
Snake Island by Ben Hobson is a terrific rural crime thriller. And for those of you wondering, there are no snakes. If you enjoyed Scrublands by Chris Hammer or Boxed by Richard Anderson, this is for you.
* Copy courtesy of Allen & Unwin *
Vernon Moore's son Caleb is doing time in a minimum security jail nearby for domestic assault. Vernon and his wife haven't seen their son since his incarceration, both believing he needs tough love.
Sharon Wornkin is a Policewoman in the service of the local crime family, the Cahills. Brendan Cahill and his family grow marijuana and sell it to guys from Melbourne who travel to their district to collect the packaged product. The Cahill family are secretive and carry a lot of sway in the town with many residents afraid to speak out against them.
Things kick off when Vernon learns Brendan Cahill has assaulted Caleb in jail. Vernon's paternal protective instincts kick in and he'll do anything to get Brendan to back off and leave his son alone. This crisis swiftly unites the Moore family and they're forced to respond.
Fuelled by small town gossip and a sense of family loyalty by both families, the situation goes from bad to worse. Others get caught up in the feud and I was on edge the entire time wanting to know what was going to happen.
Each of the characters is flawed in their own way and each made decisions that either failed to halt the crisis or added fuel to the fire. Each character was memorable and realistic as they explored the often complex relationships between fathers and sons as well as themes of duty, forgiveness, regret, retribution, the cycle of violence, familial love and legacy.
I was able to recognise several places in the rural landscape by their descriptions alone and this added to my reading enjoyment. The novel moved towards a tense and action-packed finale that left me pondering the motives and lives of those living alongside us.
Snake Island by Ben Hobson is a terrific rural crime thriller. And for those of you wondering, there are no snakes. If you enjoyed Scrublands by Chris Hammer or Boxed by Richard Anderson, this is for you.
* Copy courtesy of Allen & Unwin *
August 3, 2019
What a slab of grit, power & clarity this is. I don't know much but I think we'll be seeing a lot of this book. Hobson's debut, To Become a Whale, was great - but hell, this is something else.
"A cornered rat used what teeth it had."
"A cornered rat used what teeth it had."
August 20, 2019
Snake Island is a story about consequences. It begins with Brendan Cahill – the eldest son within a local crime family – acting upon an impulse of retribution. It ends with him reaping what he’s sown.
‘All the choices he’d made had led him here. An end he’d surely never wanted. And yet here he was.’
Like a Shakespearean tragedy that’s been injected with wild western hellfire, Snake Island is unashamedly violent, its characters setting themselves onto a path of ruin from which there is no return. Hobson digs deep into the psyche of his characters, exposing their weaknesses, their fears, and their egos. He takes them to places that they didn’t even know they would go, shocking you, the reader, all the more as you bear witness to their descent.
‘What she said was true. He’d never led the boy astray, but he’d never led him anywhere. And in that lack the violence had been born.’
Hobson’s writing is eloquent, his examination of Australian masculinity asking what it is to be a father, a husband, a son, a brother, and a friend. Snake Island is a gripping read, at times unsettling, pushing the limits of mortality and testing the reader over and over. A very different novel to his first – To Become A Whale – but equally as powerful. Highly recommended reading – and wow! This would be an incredible story up on the big screen.
‘This man’s loss had been his salvation.’
Thanks is extended to Allen & Unwin for providing me with a copy of Snake Island for review.
‘All the choices he’d made had led him here. An end he’d surely never wanted. And yet here he was.’
Like a Shakespearean tragedy that’s been injected with wild western hellfire, Snake Island is unashamedly violent, its characters setting themselves onto a path of ruin from which there is no return. Hobson digs deep into the psyche of his characters, exposing their weaknesses, their fears, and their egos. He takes them to places that they didn’t even know they would go, shocking you, the reader, all the more as you bear witness to their descent.
‘What she said was true. He’d never led the boy astray, but he’d never led him anywhere. And in that lack the violence had been born.’
Hobson’s writing is eloquent, his examination of Australian masculinity asking what it is to be a father, a husband, a son, a brother, and a friend. Snake Island is a gripping read, at times unsettling, pushing the limits of mortality and testing the reader over and over. A very different novel to his first – To Become A Whale – but equally as powerful. Highly recommended reading – and wow! This would be an incredible story up on the big screen.
‘This man’s loss had been his salvation.’
Thanks is extended to Allen & Unwin for providing me with a copy of Snake Island for review.
November 13, 2019
3.5. I wasn't sure about this one going in, I thought it may be too gritty for me. Though there were parts that had me cringing, I found myself immersed in the story and raced through it in a day. I'd be interested in reading more from this author
November 30, 2020
A relentless, atmospheric novel, told from multiple perspectives, that brilliantly examines the consequences of individual choices. Whilst violent, the novel is never gratuitously so. There is a menace beneath the action, and an inexorable spiral towards a bloody finale. The different characters and their perspectives have depth and believability and drive the action of the novel. The writing is skillful and economical. Highly recommended.
May 28, 2021
Great piece of dirty realism. There's a great literature coming out of a sense of Australian disillusionment. This is a Cormac McCarthy-ish crime fiction book with a real edge. Unbelievable that it's not published in the UK. Thanks Ian Dixon for recommending it.
August 6, 2019
Snake Island by Ben Hobson is powerful tale of patrimony, regret, vengeance, and tragedy.
For two years Vernon Moore, and his wife, have refused to acknowledge their son, Caleb, who is serving time in a nearby minimum security prison, firm in their belief that he should serve his sentence for a vicious domestic assault without clemency. Yet when Vernon learns that his son is being victimised by a local thug, Brendan Cahill, given free rein to regularly bash Caleb by a corrupt prison warden, he realises his error and is determined to put an end to the attacks. Vernon knows that appealing to the local police for help would be futile, the Cahills’s pay Sargeant Sharon Wornkin well to ignore their transgressions, which includes a large scale operation growing and selling marijuana, but he hopes that an appeal to Cahill patriarch Ernie, one father to another, will save his boy. Instead, Moore unwittingly ignites a feud that threatens to destroy them all.
Unfolding primarily from the perspectives of Vernon, Sharon, and the youngest Cahill son, Sidney, I was riveted by this low key, gritty rural thriller as events spiralled out of control.
"A cornered rat used what teeth it had."
The characters, and their relationships, are realistically crafted with a skilful complexity. Few are likeable, all are deeply flawed, but none (well almost) are entirely irredeemable. I had sympathy for Vernon and Sidney, despite the mistakes they made, but I had very little for Sharon, whose lack of integrity I found difficult to forgive.
“You keep giving up parts of yourself, you end up as far down the track as it’ll take you.”
Hobson explores several themes in Snake Island. I thought one of the most important was the notion of loyalty, to whom it may be owed, and where it’s limit may lie, and each of the characters wrestle with these questions. Another is the legacy of violence, whether from the experience of domestic abuse or war, and how it affects who someone becomes, as a father, as a son, as a wife, as a person. Also thoughtfully examined are themes of family, justice, forgiveness, and sacrifice.
“Vernon looked at his son. Understood deeply now what he had given up. Knew, too, he wasn’t willing to give up anymore.”
A vivid and thought provoking novel, I was gripped by Snake Island from the first line, to the last word.
For two years Vernon Moore, and his wife, have refused to acknowledge their son, Caleb, who is serving time in a nearby minimum security prison, firm in their belief that he should serve his sentence for a vicious domestic assault without clemency. Yet when Vernon learns that his son is being victimised by a local thug, Brendan Cahill, given free rein to regularly bash Caleb by a corrupt prison warden, he realises his error and is determined to put an end to the attacks. Vernon knows that appealing to the local police for help would be futile, the Cahills’s pay Sargeant Sharon Wornkin well to ignore their transgressions, which includes a large scale operation growing and selling marijuana, but he hopes that an appeal to Cahill patriarch Ernie, one father to another, will save his boy. Instead, Moore unwittingly ignites a feud that threatens to destroy them all.
Unfolding primarily from the perspectives of Vernon, Sharon, and the youngest Cahill son, Sidney, I was riveted by this low key, gritty rural thriller as events spiralled out of control.
"A cornered rat used what teeth it had."
The characters, and their relationships, are realistically crafted with a skilful complexity. Few are likeable, all are deeply flawed, but none (well almost) are entirely irredeemable. I had sympathy for Vernon and Sidney, despite the mistakes they made, but I had very little for Sharon, whose lack of integrity I found difficult to forgive.
“You keep giving up parts of yourself, you end up as far down the track as it’ll take you.”
Hobson explores several themes in Snake Island. I thought one of the most important was the notion of loyalty, to whom it may be owed, and where it’s limit may lie, and each of the characters wrestle with these questions. Another is the legacy of violence, whether from the experience of domestic abuse or war, and how it affects who someone becomes, as a father, as a son, as a wife, as a person. Also thoughtfully examined are themes of family, justice, forgiveness, and sacrifice.
“Vernon looked at his son. Understood deeply now what he had given up. Knew, too, he wasn’t willing to give up anymore.”
A vivid and thought provoking novel, I was gripped by Snake Island from the first line, to the last word.
February 16, 2021
3.7 stars rounded up. This is a family drama but on the gritter and disfunctional end of it. When I realized that I wasn't sure i would like it that much. There where no characters to get attached to and the plot far from cheerful yet I got hooked on the book. Not sure if I liked it but I couldn't stop reading it and it's well written.
August 10, 2019
For almost thirty years, as far as writing about the masculine condition is concerned, Tim Winton has been the voice of Australian literature. He has enjoyed that space in a singular way. In Ben Hobson, the next generation has finally cleared its throat and begun speaking powerfully.
A recurring theme in Hobson’s work is the complexity of manhood, particularly the relationship between fathers and sons. He specialises in damaged boys who’ve become damaged men, now damaging boys of their own.
Most profound for me was this question Hobson explores: is it enough for a father to consider himself “good” merely because he does not inflict violence on his wife and children, but is otherwise disengaged from them?
For Hobson (like me) the answer is quite evidently: no. But my personal experience (and I suspect Hobson’s is similar) tells me there are still many men for whom that answer is not self-evident.
With his first novel “To Become a Whale”, Hobson demonstrated he could write. With this second novel, he proves it was no fluke. His writing has become considerably more confident, sophisticated and technically interesting. It’s a joy to behold.
When I reviewed (and similarly rated 5 stars) Hobson’s debut novel in 2017, I said that he was “an impressive new Australian voice - I look forward to reading more from him in the future.”
I have not been disappointed. He still is, and I still do.
A recurring theme in Hobson’s work is the complexity of manhood, particularly the relationship between fathers and sons. He specialises in damaged boys who’ve become damaged men, now damaging boys of their own.
Most profound for me was this question Hobson explores: is it enough for a father to consider himself “good” merely because he does not inflict violence on his wife and children, but is otherwise disengaged from them?
For Hobson (like me) the answer is quite evidently: no. But my personal experience (and I suspect Hobson’s is similar) tells me there are still many men for whom that answer is not self-evident.
With his first novel “To Become a Whale”, Hobson demonstrated he could write. With this second novel, he proves it was no fluke. His writing has become considerably more confident, sophisticated and technically interesting. It’s a joy to behold.
When I reviewed (and similarly rated 5 stars) Hobson’s debut novel in 2017, I said that he was “an impressive new Australian voice - I look forward to reading more from him in the future.”
I have not been disappointed. He still is, and I still do.
August 13, 2019
First a disclaimer, there are no Snakes on this Island to worry about, that is unless you count human snakes.
This is not a novel that slithers, the writing flows with clear intent from the opening line.
Trouble is, for these flawed characters, their intent doesn't always guarantee the desired outcome.
It does guarantee an outcome with some pretty serious consequences. Which makes for a compelling story.
I found myself invested in these characters, despite their flaws, indeed, their flaws made them all the more interesting.
It is a distinctly Australian novel, and raises important questions about Australian masculinity and how toxic it can manifest and how unintentional consequences can result.
In fact, once toxic manifestations of Australian masculinity rise up, there is no telling what the consequences may be and where this tale may end up.
Chances are, if you enjoyed Tim Winton's The Shepherd's Hut, you'll also enjoy this novel.
Also, readers of Jane Harper and Chris Hammer will probably also enjoy Ben Hobson's work.
Looking forward to reading more of this author's work. He's got a lot of well thought out things to say.
Ended up reading this novel in about two sittings.
Thanks to A&U for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is not a novel that slithers, the writing flows with clear intent from the opening line.
Trouble is, for these flawed characters, their intent doesn't always guarantee the desired outcome.
It does guarantee an outcome with some pretty serious consequences. Which makes for a compelling story.
I found myself invested in these characters, despite their flaws, indeed, their flaws made them all the more interesting.
It is a distinctly Australian novel, and raises important questions about Australian masculinity and how toxic it can manifest and how unintentional consequences can result.
In fact, once toxic manifestations of Australian masculinity rise up, there is no telling what the consequences may be and where this tale may end up.
Chances are, if you enjoyed Tim Winton's The Shepherd's Hut, you'll also enjoy this novel.
Also, readers of Jane Harper and Chris Hammer will probably also enjoy Ben Hobson's work.
Looking forward to reading more of this author's work. He's got a lot of well thought out things to say.
Ended up reading this novel in about two sittings.
Thanks to A&U for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 5, 2019
‘The weight of a life, summed up in the suffering.’
Caleb Moore is in gaol for domestic violence: he hit his wife. He’s serving his time in a minimum-security prison near his parents, Vernon and Penelope, but they haven’t been to see him. They are ashamed of him.
‘That boy is our fault.’
But when Vernon learns that Caleb is being regularly visited in gaol and bashed by Brendan Cahill, a local thug, he knows he must do something. Vernon discovers that both the prison governor and the local police are turning a blind eye: the Cahill family have a large-scale marijuana growing operation and have bought them off. Vernon decides to approach Ernie, the Cahill patriarch. He’ll appeal to him, father to father, to stop Brendan bashing Caleb. He’ll use logic, reason, respect.
But Vernon’s appeal is doomed.
What follows is a tragic, violent and inescapable. Retaliation and retribution, disaster and death. The story mainly unfolds from the perspectives of Vernon, Caleb, the younger Cahill son – Sidney, and Sharon Wornkin (the corrupt local police officer).
Sidney would like to leave:
‘He sat on the bed and watched his wife feed his daughter and wondered what things would be like someplace else.’
Sharon hears some home truths from her son Peter:
‘You don’t even care about yourself. You’re just a sad woman who doesn’t care.’
While Vern realises that he needs to take some responsibility for Caleb:
‘What she [Penelope] said was true. He’d never led the boy astray, but he’d never led him anywhere. And in that lack, the violence had been born. In his lack.’
And how will it end?
I found this an unsettling read. It’s a gritty portrayal of corruption, of the impact of upbringing, of the consequences of choice. Mr Hobson has developed some complex characters with flawed loyalties, and few of them are likeable.
‘A cornered rat used what teeth it had.’
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
Caleb Moore is in gaol for domestic violence: he hit his wife. He’s serving his time in a minimum-security prison near his parents, Vernon and Penelope, but they haven’t been to see him. They are ashamed of him.
‘That boy is our fault.’
But when Vernon learns that Caleb is being regularly visited in gaol and bashed by Brendan Cahill, a local thug, he knows he must do something. Vernon discovers that both the prison governor and the local police are turning a blind eye: the Cahill family have a large-scale marijuana growing operation and have bought them off. Vernon decides to approach Ernie, the Cahill patriarch. He’ll appeal to him, father to father, to stop Brendan bashing Caleb. He’ll use logic, reason, respect.
But Vernon’s appeal is doomed.
What follows is a tragic, violent and inescapable. Retaliation and retribution, disaster and death. The story mainly unfolds from the perspectives of Vernon, Caleb, the younger Cahill son – Sidney, and Sharon Wornkin (the corrupt local police officer).
Sidney would like to leave:
‘He sat on the bed and watched his wife feed his daughter and wondered what things would be like someplace else.’
Sharon hears some home truths from her son Peter:
‘You don’t even care about yourself. You’re just a sad woman who doesn’t care.’
While Vern realises that he needs to take some responsibility for Caleb:
‘What she [Penelope] said was true. He’d never led the boy astray, but he’d never led him anywhere. And in that lack, the violence had been born. In his lack.’
And how will it end?
I found this an unsettling read. It’s a gritty portrayal of corruption, of the impact of upbringing, of the consequences of choice. Mr Hobson has developed some complex characters with flawed loyalties, and few of them are likeable.
‘A cornered rat used what teeth it had.’
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
September 30, 2019
Glad I don’t live in a town with this lot 😳
Great read
Great read
October 31, 2019
Most writers find themselves inevitably drawn back to similar themes in their work. They might tell completely different stories but with the same questions and curiosities at their heart. For Ben Hobson, that magnetic pull is to explore masculinity: What is it to be a good man? How do you learn the important lessons that help you become a good man? He likes to interrogate the issue of fathers and sons, of generational trauma, and of intergenerational role modelling that shapes children into the adults they become. His second novel Snake Island (Allen and Unwin 2019) is in many ways so different from his debut To Become a Whale, and yet there is a symmetry joining them – the big, profound questions around good and evil, guilt and revenge, responsibility and sacrifice.
Snake Island is a crime novel with a difference. The criminal action in this book, and the intense, confronting and relentless violence, is ongoing throughout, like a pressure cooker reaching its peak. This is not so much about solving a crime or uncovering the secret predator, as watching the blood-drenched and visceral activities slowly unfold, the characters getting themselves into deeper and deeper trouble, even if they’re trying to escape or improve the situation. This book has all the violence of a Tarantino film. At times it is almost overwhelming; you become inured to one more act of treachery and bloodshed, but then I think that might be the point that Hobson is driving home: the unremitting brutality of aggression and payback, the vicious cycle of abuse and cruelty, the impossibility of reprieve for those individuals – and those families – caught in the cycle and unable to see a way out, other than to commit more violence. There is a lot of killing in this book; a lot of dead things (both animal and human). That will sit uncomfortably with some readers. But for others, it will be a reflection of what they know, or what they have known in the past – anxious anticipation, dread, doubt, self-loathing, and a sickly fear of what the people in your life or in your immediate orbit might be capable of, and even worse, what you might be capable of in return.
The narrative is almost tragic in its simplicity: Vernon and Pen Moore have disowned their son Caleb and never want to see him again after the violence he enacted on his wife. But when they discover he is being bashed in prison by a thug from a local crime family, and that endemic corruption is ensuring a blind eye is turned, their parental instincts kick in and Vernon is determined to negotiate his way through the situation in a civil manner. But every move he makes only seems to make matters worse. Respect and decency are thin on the ground, especially when gangsters from the city are involved.
The story is told from several points of view but the common thread is the enactment of vengeance and revenge. We hear mostly from Vernon Moore and his son Caleb. We hear from Sidney Cahill (one of the sons of the crime family), who is trying his best to escape the life that appears to be laid out for him, his wife and his young daughter. We get the perspective of Sharon Wornkin, corrupt local cop with connections both personal and professional with the Cahill family. The fact that we only have two chapters from Brendan Cahill (Sidney’s brother), and only one from Penelope (Caleb’s mother), felt a little uneven. I would have liked more consistency across the viewpoints of all characters, and more depth or drilling down into some of the characters, particularly Reverend Kelly and the guys from Melbourne; there is scope for the novel to unpack the motivations and history behind their actions. I found the plausibility of some of the plot stretched and a little overworked. The overt violence in this story made me want to take a shower after reading it. But perhaps that was the author’s intention. It is certainly gritty, confronting and ugly; unrelenting violence and the enactment of revenge. And as I noted earlier, the raw and visceral brutality of this book might – for some readers – be less surprising, and more of a reflection of what actually goes in in their own lives.
But balancing this cruelty is the fact that, as readers, we are privy to the moral centre of almost every character. Even the very worst characters debate the ethics of their actions. Again, I’m not sure if this is realistic, but it certainly constitutes welcome moments of light against the sustained darkness. Every reader will take something different from this book, but the author’s central question is clear: How far would you go to protect the ones you love?
These are deeply flawed, mostly dislikeable characters that conduct themselves monstrously and with little regard to the feelings of others. But every so often, out of the muck, a characters will voice a regret, ponder a moral dilemma, question where their life is heading, or try to understand another’s point of view, and it is these moments of uncertainty that make the characters more real and empathetic. I have a particular soft spot for Vernon, who faces up to the difficult choices he has made in relation to cutting off contact with his son, and tries to fix things in an honourable and civil way, only to dig himself deeper and deeper into a hole of mistrust, nefarious activities and revenge. Despite feeling a bit like I’d been hit over the head myself with this book, I can see Ben Hobson’s intention: an exploration of how violence begets violence, the cycle of revenge, the risks we are willing to take for those we love, and the difficulties faced by those entrenched in a sustained system of abuse and vengeance.
Snake Island is a crime novel with a difference. The criminal action in this book, and the intense, confronting and relentless violence, is ongoing throughout, like a pressure cooker reaching its peak. This is not so much about solving a crime or uncovering the secret predator, as watching the blood-drenched and visceral activities slowly unfold, the characters getting themselves into deeper and deeper trouble, even if they’re trying to escape or improve the situation. This book has all the violence of a Tarantino film. At times it is almost overwhelming; you become inured to one more act of treachery and bloodshed, but then I think that might be the point that Hobson is driving home: the unremitting brutality of aggression and payback, the vicious cycle of abuse and cruelty, the impossibility of reprieve for those individuals – and those families – caught in the cycle and unable to see a way out, other than to commit more violence. There is a lot of killing in this book; a lot of dead things (both animal and human). That will sit uncomfortably with some readers. But for others, it will be a reflection of what they know, or what they have known in the past – anxious anticipation, dread, doubt, self-loathing, and a sickly fear of what the people in your life or in your immediate orbit might be capable of, and even worse, what you might be capable of in return.
The narrative is almost tragic in its simplicity: Vernon and Pen Moore have disowned their son Caleb and never want to see him again after the violence he enacted on his wife. But when they discover he is being bashed in prison by a thug from a local crime family, and that endemic corruption is ensuring a blind eye is turned, their parental instincts kick in and Vernon is determined to negotiate his way through the situation in a civil manner. But every move he makes only seems to make matters worse. Respect and decency are thin on the ground, especially when gangsters from the city are involved.
The story is told from several points of view but the common thread is the enactment of vengeance and revenge. We hear mostly from Vernon Moore and his son Caleb. We hear from Sidney Cahill (one of the sons of the crime family), who is trying his best to escape the life that appears to be laid out for him, his wife and his young daughter. We get the perspective of Sharon Wornkin, corrupt local cop with connections both personal and professional with the Cahill family. The fact that we only have two chapters from Brendan Cahill (Sidney’s brother), and only one from Penelope (Caleb’s mother), felt a little uneven. I would have liked more consistency across the viewpoints of all characters, and more depth or drilling down into some of the characters, particularly Reverend Kelly and the guys from Melbourne; there is scope for the novel to unpack the motivations and history behind their actions. I found the plausibility of some of the plot stretched and a little overworked. The overt violence in this story made me want to take a shower after reading it. But perhaps that was the author’s intention. It is certainly gritty, confronting and ugly; unrelenting violence and the enactment of revenge. And as I noted earlier, the raw and visceral brutality of this book might – for some readers – be less surprising, and more of a reflection of what actually goes in in their own lives.
But balancing this cruelty is the fact that, as readers, we are privy to the moral centre of almost every character. Even the very worst characters debate the ethics of their actions. Again, I’m not sure if this is realistic, but it certainly constitutes welcome moments of light against the sustained darkness. Every reader will take something different from this book, but the author’s central question is clear: How far would you go to protect the ones you love?
These are deeply flawed, mostly dislikeable characters that conduct themselves monstrously and with little regard to the feelings of others. But every so often, out of the muck, a characters will voice a regret, ponder a moral dilemma, question where their life is heading, or try to understand another’s point of view, and it is these moments of uncertainty that make the characters more real and empathetic. I have a particular soft spot for Vernon, who faces up to the difficult choices he has made in relation to cutting off contact with his son, and tries to fix things in an honourable and civil way, only to dig himself deeper and deeper into a hole of mistrust, nefarious activities and revenge. Despite feeling a bit like I’d been hit over the head myself with this book, I can see Ben Hobson’s intention: an exploration of how violence begets violence, the cycle of revenge, the risks we are willing to take for those we love, and the difficulties faced by those entrenched in a sustained system of abuse and vengeance.
August 18, 2019
SNAKE ISLAND is at first a busy work, introducing its readers to a host of characters that are all passively waiting for their lot to change. You won’t need to suspend your belief in the plights of these people but there will be the necessity of overcoming a natural repulsion for some of the key players (a wife beater, even repentant, is still a wife beater). Also, there is the necessity of immersion in such a depressing place populated with desperately forlorn characters.
There is little sympathy to be found anywhere for a man who beats his wife. Caleb Moore finds this out soon enough into his stay in prison, convicted for the assault that has finally severed his shaky marriage to Melissa. The prison staff are fine with turning a blind eye to a little lay justice, which comes in the form of visits from a local thug, Brendan Cahill.
Caleb’s father Vernon, who has not visited Caleb for the last two years, learns of the attacks and knows that the time for staying away is now over. Much like Agamemnon petitioning Achilles for the return of the body of Hector, Vernon truly believes that a fathers plea must be heard and respected. His idea of speaking to Brendan’s father, the head of a local crime family, comes to be the worst decision made in his long life.
SNAKE ISLAND, like other notable Australian mentions published in the last couple of years, straddles a literary space between dark drama and crime fiction. The term literary thriller has of late been used to describe such works. Acts of violence committed in small or otherwise closed communities offer rich opportunities for intensive explorations into what comes next beyond the act itself. Great conflicts all have a point of origin, and they all escalate to catastrophes by a series of ill-considered decisions.
There is a rising tide of despair and hopelessness that threatens to swamp everyone we meet in the pages of SNAKE ISLAND. We encounter towns people who believe themselves trapped by circumstances and morosely accept their fates as being inevitable. What author Ben Hobson deftly guides the reader to is to the understanding that there is a process in such chaos. There will be a purpose to the witnessing of so much relentless suffering.
The time period in which SNAKE ISLAND is set is the late 1990’s, before the rise of Australia’s access to the internet and of course smartphones with their instant connectivity. The events of SNAKE ISLAND are all that more suffocating for their technological and geographical isolation. There is such a weight to the narrative, such a sense of impending doom, that the final chapter is incredibly tense and you don’t dare take your eyes off the page. This is a very violent novel, and breaks more than one taboo of reading crime fiction, so steel yourself for this and you will be sucked into such darkness that you may find it hard to imagine how it is all going to be wrapped up by novel’s end.
Ben Hobson currently teachers English and Music at a Queensland state high school. Hobson’s first novel, TO BECOME A WHALE, was published in 2017.
There is little sympathy to be found anywhere for a man who beats his wife. Caleb Moore finds this out soon enough into his stay in prison, convicted for the assault that has finally severed his shaky marriage to Melissa. The prison staff are fine with turning a blind eye to a little lay justice, which comes in the form of visits from a local thug, Brendan Cahill.
Caleb’s father Vernon, who has not visited Caleb for the last two years, learns of the attacks and knows that the time for staying away is now over. Much like Agamemnon petitioning Achilles for the return of the body of Hector, Vernon truly believes that a fathers plea must be heard and respected. His idea of speaking to Brendan’s father, the head of a local crime family, comes to be the worst decision made in his long life.
SNAKE ISLAND, like other notable Australian mentions published in the last couple of years, straddles a literary space between dark drama and crime fiction. The term literary thriller has of late been used to describe such works. Acts of violence committed in small or otherwise closed communities offer rich opportunities for intensive explorations into what comes next beyond the act itself. Great conflicts all have a point of origin, and they all escalate to catastrophes by a series of ill-considered decisions.
There is a rising tide of despair and hopelessness that threatens to swamp everyone we meet in the pages of SNAKE ISLAND. We encounter towns people who believe themselves trapped by circumstances and morosely accept their fates as being inevitable. What author Ben Hobson deftly guides the reader to is to the understanding that there is a process in such chaos. There will be a purpose to the witnessing of so much relentless suffering.
The time period in which SNAKE ISLAND is set is the late 1990’s, before the rise of Australia’s access to the internet and of course smartphones with their instant connectivity. The events of SNAKE ISLAND are all that more suffocating for their technological and geographical isolation. There is such a weight to the narrative, such a sense of impending doom, that the final chapter is incredibly tense and you don’t dare take your eyes off the page. This is a very violent novel, and breaks more than one taboo of reading crime fiction, so steel yourself for this and you will be sucked into such darkness that you may find it hard to imagine how it is all going to be wrapped up by novel’s end.
Ben Hobson currently teachers English and Music at a Queensland state high school. Hobson’s first novel, TO BECOME A WHALE, was published in 2017.
August 29, 2019
Snake Island is a gritty, devastatingly raw story of human brokenness and complexity.
Vernon and Penelope Moore have abandoned their adult son Caleb, disowning him after he is imprisoned for domestic violence. They never want to see Caleb again, such is their fury, shame, disappointment and grief.
Yet when Vernon hears that Caleb is being systemically savaged in prison by a fellow prisoner from a powerful crime family, Vernon can’t stop thinking about his only son.
Vernon sets out to settle things the civilised way, only to find himself in an all at war. Masculinity and toxic corruption, drugs, control and violence ensue with heartbreak and devastation for all involved.
This book is one that stays with you, one that you will be mulling over for weeks to come. So real are the characters that you have entered their world and need to find your way home.
Vernon and Penelope Moore have abandoned their adult son Caleb, disowning him after he is imprisoned for domestic violence. They never want to see Caleb again, such is their fury, shame, disappointment and grief.
Yet when Vernon hears that Caleb is being systemically savaged in prison by a fellow prisoner from a powerful crime family, Vernon can’t stop thinking about his only son.
Vernon sets out to settle things the civilised way, only to find himself in an all at war. Masculinity and toxic corruption, drugs, control and violence ensue with heartbreak and devastation for all involved.
This book is one that stays with you, one that you will be mulling over for weeks to come. So real are the characters that you have entered their world and need to find your way home.
November 22, 2019
I can't quite put my finger on why I didn't love this book, some of the writing felt a bit too disjointed to me and I think maybe I just need a change from Australian set stories for awhile.
March 18, 2024
What a violent and sad book. I don’t even know what I’m supposed to get out of it. I really liked Sidney but his ending was also fricken sad.
September 16, 2019
A really well paced intense thriller surrounding drug deals and a small country town.
Although the plot could be summarised quite quickly, the powerful writing is really gripping.
They all made poor decisions...
4 stars.
Although the plot could be summarised quite quickly, the powerful writing is really gripping.
They all made poor decisions...
4 stars.
October 20, 2020
4.5 stars.
Snake Island by Ben Hobson is a dark and gritty mystery set in rural Australia.
Vernon and Penelope Moore have not seen their son, Caleb, since he went to prison two years ago. They are deeply ashamed of him and they feel like their absence is teaching him a lesson. But when Vernon's friend William Kelly cryptically tells him he should visit Caleb, Vernon unexpectedly takes his advice. When he discovers Caleb is getting beaten by someone in their local community, Vernon's actions lead to a cascade of violence he could not have foreseen.
Ernie Cahill and his sons, Sidney and Brendan, are a crime family who have the money to pay people to look the other way. They have ties with some very ruthless criminals in Melbourne and Ernie knows better than to cross them. When Vernon decides (rather naively) to ask him to stop his son from hurting Caleb, he unwittingly puts his family and others in danger. What follows is a shocking array of poor decisions, brutal attacks and, quite possibly, redemption for some of those involved in the violence that follows.
Sharon Wornkin is a local cop whose dysfunctional past plays a part in her decisions in the present. She is somewhat detached from both her husband and son. Sharon also plays a pivotal role in the criminal activity taking place in the local community. With her own life on the line, Sharon is faced with a moral decision that could save someone else.
Snake Island is a riveting mystery that is stark yet quite atmospheric. The characters are deeply flawed yet some of them are surprisingly appealing. The setting springs vibrantly to life and provides the perfect backdrop for the shocking events Vernon inadvertently sets in motion. Ben Hobson brings this incredibly fascinating novel to an edge of the seat, suspenseful conclusion.
Snake Island by Ben Hobson is a dark and gritty mystery set in rural Australia.
Vernon and Penelope Moore have not seen their son, Caleb, since he went to prison two years ago. They are deeply ashamed of him and they feel like their absence is teaching him a lesson. But when Vernon's friend William Kelly cryptically tells him he should visit Caleb, Vernon unexpectedly takes his advice. When he discovers Caleb is getting beaten by someone in their local community, Vernon's actions lead to a cascade of violence he could not have foreseen.
Ernie Cahill and his sons, Sidney and Brendan, are a crime family who have the money to pay people to look the other way. They have ties with some very ruthless criminals in Melbourne and Ernie knows better than to cross them. When Vernon decides (rather naively) to ask him to stop his son from hurting Caleb, he unwittingly puts his family and others in danger. What follows is a shocking array of poor decisions, brutal attacks and, quite possibly, redemption for some of those involved in the violence that follows.
Sharon Wornkin is a local cop whose dysfunctional past plays a part in her decisions in the present. She is somewhat detached from both her husband and son. Sharon also plays a pivotal role in the criminal activity taking place in the local community. With her own life on the line, Sharon is faced with a moral decision that could save someone else.
Snake Island is a riveting mystery that is stark yet quite atmospheric. The characters are deeply flawed yet some of them are surprisingly appealing. The setting springs vibrantly to life and provides the perfect backdrop for the shocking events Vernon inadvertently sets in motion. Ben Hobson brings this incredibly fascinating novel to an edge of the seat, suspenseful conclusion.
July 18, 2019
A sense of dread permeates this story from the very beginning. But don't let that put you off. You want to know how these very human characters will face their circumstances as actions and consequences escalate and entangle them. There's darkness and violence but also morality and hope. The writing is deft and convincing; you can imagine this being the full and messy backstory to an incident glimpsed in the local paper. A distinctively Australian novel but one with universal themes.
October 2, 2019
I knew from about 50 pages in that I wasn't going to enjoy this one so why I decided to continue reading it is beyond me. I would describe it as an exceptionally boring crime novel, which in parts, is quite graphic (read: violent) in its storytelling.
What I struggled with mostly is the basis for the drama. Vernon Moore and his wife have a son in jail who *they've* decided not to see in two years. It was *their* decision. When Vernon finds out that his son is being beaten by one of the local yobbos (Brendan), he takes it upon himself to go after Brendan and his entire family. At this point, it should be noted that 'his entire family' is the town's local drug-dealing mafia. Smart. I can't see this ending badly at all, can you?
Absolutely none of the characters are likable and you pretty much know most of them are going to die.
I had issues with the writing too. It was flat with too many conversations that felt like this:
'What will you do?'
'I don't know.'
'No idea?'
'Not yet'
'So?'
'I don't know.'
'Let's have a chicken parmy while we think about.'
The links to Australia were few and far between, other than a kangaroo bouncing in front of a car and mention of a wrongdoing of an indigenous man on Snake Island. And while I'm at it, the reference to Snake Island was tenuous in itself. It's basically an island near Vernon's place. That's it.
What I struggled with mostly is the basis for the drama. Vernon Moore and his wife have a son in jail who *they've* decided not to see in two years. It was *their* decision. When Vernon finds out that his son is being beaten by one of the local yobbos (Brendan), he takes it upon himself to go after Brendan and his entire family. At this point, it should be noted that 'his entire family' is the town's local drug-dealing mafia. Smart. I can't see this ending badly at all, can you?
Absolutely none of the characters are likable and you pretty much know most of them are going to die.
I had issues with the writing too. It was flat with too many conversations that felt like this:
'What will you do?'
'I don't know.'
'No idea?'
'Not yet'
'So?'
'I don't know.'
'Let's have a chicken parmy while we think about.'
The links to Australia were few and far between, other than a kangaroo bouncing in front of a car and mention of a wrongdoing of an indigenous man on Snake Island. And while I'm at it, the reference to Snake Island was tenuous in itself. It's basically an island near Vernon's place. That's it.
July 9, 2020
Snake Island is a gritty, tense page turner where there are no true good guys, just some bad guys that are less worse than the others.
Mr. Hobson keeps you on the edge of your seat and things spiral out of control for the various characters who populate the small coastal Australian town of Newbury. An incarcerated wife beater, his emotionally distant parents, a family of drug dealers, a cop on the take and two big city killers ... I didn't like any of them but sure did care what happened to them.
This one gets 5 stars from me, it was everything a thriller should be. It started slow, built the tension until it was at a fevered pitch and ended with a bang. (literally)
Mr. Hobson keeps you on the edge of your seat and things spiral out of control for the various characters who populate the small coastal Australian town of Newbury. An incarcerated wife beater, his emotionally distant parents, a family of drug dealers, a cop on the take and two big city killers ... I didn't like any of them but sure did care what happened to them.
This one gets 5 stars from me, it was everything a thriller should be. It started slow, built the tension until it was at a fevered pitch and ended with a bang. (literally)
November 10, 2019
Fast-paced tale of vengeance. Set in a fictional coastal town, the characters and setting are burdened by their ghosts, carrying the seeds of their own destruction. All it needs is a spark to set the train of disastrous events in motion, leading to the diabolical, inevitable conclusion. I enjoyed the multiple perspective narration, with intimate insight into the heads, hearts and souls of the main players in this drama. So very Australian in its lingo, parochial attitudes, and the dangers that lurk in the bush at night. I can see this being made into a movie.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 109 reviews