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Being Here
The boy sat in the branches of the fifth tree on the left, his scuffed boots dangling. Leah turned her eyes up. His face was heavily freckled, his eyes large, brown and almond-shaped. His hair stuck out at wild angles. 'Hello,' she said.
Sixteen-year-old Carly is interviewing Leah Cartwright for her local history project. But Leah resists, determined instead to tell her own story: that of a lonely child on an isolated farm, a girl whose only escape is into the world of books. And when Adam appears in the orchard Leah discovers a friend. A secret friend.
Leah draws Carly in with the magic of story - to her present, her past, her secrets, and her unique friendship with Adam.
Being Here is a beautifully told story about a girl whose rich imagination rescues her from a grim reality, and an unlikely boy who changes everything. A compelling novel about love, faith and consequences.
Sixteen-year-old Carly is interviewing Leah Cartwright for her local history project. But Leah resists, determined instead to tell her own story: that of a lonely child on an isolated farm, a girl whose only escape is into the world of books. And when Adam appears in the orchard Leah discovers a friend. A secret friend.
Leah draws Carly in with the magic of story - to her present, her past, her secrets, and her unique friendship with Adam.
Being Here is a beautifully told story about a girl whose rich imagination rescues her from a grim reality, and an unlikely boy who changes everything. A compelling novel about love, faith and consequences.
264 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2011
5 people are currently reading
670 people want to read
About the author
Barry Jonsberg
45 books105 followersBarry Jonsberg is an Australian author and teacher originally from Liverpool, England. He holds degrees in English and Psychology from Liverpool University and moved to Australia in 1999. His debut novel, The Whole Business with Kiffo and the Pitbull, earned acclaim in 2005, and his follow-up, It’s Not All About YOU, Calma, won the 2006 South Australian Festival Award for Children’s Literature. Jonsberg has continued to receive numerous honors, including awards and shortlistings for Dreamrider, My Life as an Alphabet, A Little Spark, and Smoke & Mirrors, affirming his place in contemporary young adult literature.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
July 22, 2013
Being Here is such a beautifully written book that I wanted to savour every word but also wanted to keep reading to find out the rest of the story.
Elderly Leah, alone in a nursing home, has never told anyone the story of her life, so when sixteen-year-old Carly wants to interview her for her local history project, Leah seizes the opportunity "because I need my story to live a little while longer" (p.128). She tells Carly about her childhood growing up on an isolated farm with her strict, deeply religious mother, with only the support of her special friend Adam, who first appears after her father's tragic death.
One of the things that makes this book work is the structure and narrative. The fact that Leah is relaying her story to Carly adds contrast: the past and the present, young and old, Leah's perspective and the way her story is interpreted by Carly. This adds some reliability to the fading memories of an old lady. Book-lover Leah tells her story like a true storyteller, beginning in the third person, describing herself as "the girl", then changing to the first person (I'm not really sure why - maybe she no longer feels the need to distance herself from the story?). Leah uses first-person narration to describe her life in the nursing home and her interactions with Carly. The result is that we learn about Leah and Carly's present as we learn about Leah's past.
At the end of the story, I still have some unanswered questions, particularly about Adam, but that's the point. It's the kind of book that makes you think about life, ageing, religion, reality and fiction.
4.5 stars
Teacher's notes can be downloaded from the Allen & Unwin website: http://www.barryjonsberg.com/books/yo...
Elderly Leah, alone in a nursing home, has never told anyone the story of her life, so when sixteen-year-old Carly wants to interview her for her local history project, Leah seizes the opportunity "because I need my story to live a little while longer" (p.128). She tells Carly about her childhood growing up on an isolated farm with her strict, deeply religious mother, with only the support of her special friend Adam, who first appears after her father's tragic death.
One of the things that makes this book work is the structure and narrative. The fact that Leah is relaying her story to Carly adds contrast: the past and the present, young and old, Leah's perspective and the way her story is interpreted by Carly. This adds some reliability to the fading memories of an old lady. Book-lover Leah tells her story like a true storyteller, beginning in the third person, describing herself as "the girl", then changing to the first person (I'm not really sure why - maybe she no longer feels the need to distance herself from the story?). Leah uses first-person narration to describe her life in the nursing home and her interactions with Carly. The result is that we learn about Leah and Carly's present as we learn about Leah's past.
At the end of the story, I still have some unanswered questions, particularly about Adam, but that's the point. It's the kind of book that makes you think about life, ageing, religion, reality and fiction.
4.5 stars
Teacher's notes can be downloaded from the Allen & Unwin website: http://www.barryjonsberg.com/books/yo...
June 7, 2011
Lovely writing - I really enjoyed the wording. Every sentence was beautiful and made me want to read it out loud to someone.
As for other elements... I couldn't quite sink my teeth into the storyline. I was interested, definitely, but I didn't really understand any of it. The protagonist's thoughts and feelings are laid out rather well. By the end, I felt that I knew her better, but not completely.
At many points, I found myself realising a fear I had never felt before - the fear of growing old. And, to a lesser extent, being alone.
I liked this book a lot, but it's by no stretch of the imagination a cheerful story. But I did love those words...
As for other elements... I couldn't quite sink my teeth into the storyline. I was interested, definitely, but I didn't really understand any of it. The protagonist's thoughts and feelings are laid out rather well. By the end, I felt that I knew her better, but not completely.
At many points, I found myself realising a fear I had never felt before - the fear of growing old. And, to a lesser extent, being alone.
I liked this book a lot, but it's by no stretch of the imagination a cheerful story. But I did love those words...
February 20, 2011
4/5
[insert self-synopsis]
Has a lot of charm to it. This is the first book of Jonsberg's I have read, so I have nothing to compare it to, but I enjoyed reading this book. The writing in particular, was both impressive and refreshing. (example to be added) I appreciated the whole story within a story kind of approach that I believe Jonsberg took with this novel.
+ Characters of Leah Cartwright and Carly were both endearing, and I loved that the perspective was of Leah, at age 70+. Her words are full of wisdom, her outlook on the world levelheaded and with a swirling of emotions that are fueled by the memories of her youth.
+ Leah's story is heartfelt and packs a punch with imagination that bursts to the seams. Perhaps that's hyperbolic, but it really was like my "eyes kissed the pages and brought them to life". (quoted from book by memory)
~ The ending is open-ended (I think) and leaves room for analysis. I'm not sure. I'm going to be reading the last 20 pages again to see if I can figure out my own interpretation of events and how things are left.
- Violence to animals. Normal violence is okay, in small doses, but when it is towards the harmless (though in this case that line is blurred) and unassuming, that's when things get serious. The scene, however lacking in vivid description it may have had, will forever remain ingrained in my mind. I am sad for that.
To be expanded.
[insert self-synopsis]
Has a lot of charm to it. This is the first book of Jonsberg's I have read, so I have nothing to compare it to, but I enjoyed reading this book. The writing in particular, was both impressive and refreshing. (example to be added) I appreciated the whole story within a story kind of approach that I believe Jonsberg took with this novel.
+ Characters of Leah Cartwright and Carly were both endearing, and I loved that the perspective was of Leah, at age 70+. Her words are full of wisdom, her outlook on the world levelheaded and with a swirling of emotions that are fueled by the memories of her youth.
+ Leah's story is heartfelt and packs a punch with imagination that bursts to the seams. Perhaps that's hyperbolic, but it really was like my "eyes kissed the pages and brought them to life". (quoted from book by memory)
~ The ending is open-ended (I think) and leaves room for analysis. I'm not sure. I'm going to be reading the last 20 pages again to see if I can figure out my own interpretation of events and how things are left.
- Violence to animals. Normal violence is okay, in small doses, but when it is towards the harmless (though in this case that line is blurred) and unassuming, that's when things get serious. The scene, however lacking in vivid description it may have had, will forever remain ingrained in my mind. I am sad for that.
To be expanded.
June 21, 2015
Leah Cartwright is elderly, living in a rest home and has days where her mind is sharp as a sliver of glass or tossed as a plastic bag in the wind.
When Carly, a young student, asks to interview her for a class project, Leah begins to tell the story of her youth. It’s not exactly what Carly wants but Leah needs to share it before she can’t remember. Although Leah was fiercely loved as a child, her life was grim, controlled and lonely. Her escape was books and the imaginary friend that appeared one day in church. Adam – as she named him, became entwined through her life until he was almost real. As she shares her story with Carly, a bond builds and her experiences help Carly with her own ‘story’.
This is one of my favourite reads of 2011. Beautifully written with totally believable characters. ‘Being Here’ brings together the power of story and imagination, different types of love and wisdom found through life’s journey.
When Carly, a young student, asks to interview her for a class project, Leah begins to tell the story of her youth. It’s not exactly what Carly wants but Leah needs to share it before she can’t remember. Although Leah was fiercely loved as a child, her life was grim, controlled and lonely. Her escape was books and the imaginary friend that appeared one day in church. Adam – as she named him, became entwined through her life until he was almost real. As she shares her story with Carly, a bond builds and her experiences help Carly with her own ‘story’.
This is one of my favourite reads of 2011. Beautifully written with totally believable characters. ‘Being Here’ brings together the power of story and imagination, different types of love and wisdom found through life’s journey.
August 31, 2012
16 year old Carlynis interviewing Leah who,is a resident in an aged care home. Leah begins retelling the story of her life with her religious and narrow minded mother. They live together in an isolated farm house, where Leah is home schooled. Leah is desperate for a richer life, but has to resort to her imagination to provide the company she needs. She creates a male friend called Adam who accompanies her and provides some comfort to her when her life becomes difficult. An unusual novel and a more difficult read for many teenagers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 4, 2015
Loved this book. Will reread. I like Jonsberg's other stuff but this was a whole new level. A story about story and imagination to deal with tragedy. Elderly female POV, mostly female relationships. And I think he nailed it.
May 1, 2014
This gorgeous book made me tear up at least 5 times, and I just love how the language used, though simple, evokes such strong emotions in me.
October 17, 2018
One of those books that's been sitting in my classroom library and I never got to. Reading it was a bit like that experience of being in the same class with someone all year but not ever having a proper conversation only to find that they're really interesting and you should have got to know them earlier. And Jonsberg is Australian - which I didn't realise until part way through.
This is another of those books that finds its way into adolescent literature because it has an adolescent protagonist. The writing is accessible but beautifully crafted and often quite subtle. There's no reason that a Middle Schooler shouldn't read this (and many reasons why they should), but I think the complexity of the themes makes this just as much an adult book. It seems such a pity that we have to balkanise our libraries when beautiful books like this exist.
The plot brings together Carley and Mrs Cartwright, a Year 11 student looking for a subject for her history project and an elderly resident of a nursing home. Mrs C's ability to weave tales from the past take the two of them on a journey through the tragedies of the past and mechanisms we have for coping. This is a story about death and life and good and evil and the insights that come from going beyond the binaries to find greater acceptance of the world and yourself.
I now want to read more of Jonsberg's books.
This is another of those books that finds its way into adolescent literature because it has an adolescent protagonist. The writing is accessible but beautifully crafted and often quite subtle. There's no reason that a Middle Schooler shouldn't read this (and many reasons why they should), but I think the complexity of the themes makes this just as much an adult book. It seems such a pity that we have to balkanise our libraries when beautiful books like this exist.
The plot brings together Carley and Mrs Cartwright, a Year 11 student looking for a subject for her history project and an elderly resident of a nursing home. Mrs C's ability to weave tales from the past take the two of them on a journey through the tragedies of the past and mechanisms we have for coping. This is a story about death and life and good and evil and the insights that come from going beyond the binaries to find greater acceptance of the world and yourself.
I now want to read more of Jonsberg's books.
May 18, 2025
I've noticed the last couple of books by Barry have a storyline between an older person and a teenager. I like this sort of relationship and really felt for the young Mrs C and her god fearing mother who did horrendous things.
October 15, 2021
It is not my favourite of Barry Jonsberg's work but still pretty good.
January 23, 2016
i've just remembered why i love Barry Jonsberg so much. it's been a long time since i last read his work, and i honestly believe that this is his best one yet.
this won't be a very coherent review, because my eyes got a little watery, haha. which is incredibly rare because i'm usually a cold-hearted bastard. thanks a lot, Mr Jonsberg.
Being Here is a stunning novel for so many different reasons. It is told in the point of view of an old woman in a nursing home. that never happens in young adult fiction, and i love that Jonsberg tackled it. don't let that put you off though, becuase this is a gorgeous book, beautifully told, delicate and blunt at the same time.
the beginning was a bit off for me though, maybe because i rushed straight into it after reading Murakami so i had to readjust to different language. i found the prologue's writing stiff and wooden, and the first interaction between Carly and Leah very awkward and not too interesting. i thought that this book would be average-to-okay at most at that point, but well, serves me right for judging a book off its first pages. the story truly begins in chapter 1, and boy, does it kick in and take on a life on its own. (was that a spoiler? aha!)
it's another book printed with absurdly big print, making it seem longer than it is. i raced through this book so fast, i tried to slow down because you always want to save the best for last, or make something good last longer, but it demanded to be read and finished immediately.
let's talk about characters. they make up a story. sometimes, i will love a book for its characters, even if i find the plot and writing substandard. luckily, nothing is substandard in this book.
Carly is not a very fleshed-out character, she's simple, a little bit flat with minimal backstory and background. But that is okay, because we are watching from Leah's eyes, she is supposed to be simple, a means to compare with Leah's complicated and richly-imagined character. ugh, i'm starting to talk a bit pretentiously, too much university english for me, haha. :P but Jonsberg's writing is really beautiful, it's simple but literary at the same time. i usually hate over-description and flowery language, but Jonsberg makes it work, and doesn't over-use it.
anyway, Carly is simple, but cheerful and believable. unfortunately, we don't get to see more about her, because i'm sure there is more about her that wasn't revealed. but that's okay, because our focus is on Leah.
Leah. what can i say? she's awesome. i love her character, i like her formally structured way of speaking, i like her mannerisms and the way she responds to the world around her. the way she reflects on the new world in the perspective of an aged and wiser woman. i love that she loves books. i love that she loves stories, actually i love that this book talks about stories and imagination and the world inside our heads and their potential to go anywhere and be anything.
(watch out for spoilers!)
Adam is beautifully portrayed. i don't know how Jonsberg does it. i'm a cynical person, i don't want to believe in imaginary friends, yet somehow he's able to craft an imaginary friend that truly becomes real. not just to Leah, but to the reader as well. who is he really and did he truly exist? i find a lot of parallel between Adam and the figure of Christ, particularly considering the potential that he brought Leah home in the end.
i also don't hate Leah's mother, and find her a beautifully flawed character. there's a lot of depth that is hard to understand within humans, and she reminds us of that. people need something to cling to, whether it's books and their imagination or a spiritual faith that becomes twisted and off-kilter. there is a lot about this story to muse about, to ponder about, but i don't really want to ramble on. it's best if you just read it and decide by yourself.
it will require a bit more thinking for me to get over this novel, and that is really what reading should be about. i don't want to read a book and forget about it, i want it to stay with me. and Being Here will do just that. oh, by the way, i haven't worked out what the relevance of the title is. i understand the apple, but what about the title? any ideas, anyone?
in short, it's bloody awesome, and Barry Jonsberg, you've outdone yourself again.
this won't be a very coherent review, because my eyes got a little watery, haha. which is incredibly rare because i'm usually a cold-hearted bastard. thanks a lot, Mr Jonsberg.
Being Here is a stunning novel for so many different reasons. It is told in the point of view of an old woman in a nursing home. that never happens in young adult fiction, and i love that Jonsberg tackled it. don't let that put you off though, becuase this is a gorgeous book, beautifully told, delicate and blunt at the same time.
the beginning was a bit off for me though, maybe because i rushed straight into it after reading Murakami so i had to readjust to different language. i found the prologue's writing stiff and wooden, and the first interaction between Carly and Leah very awkward and not too interesting. i thought that this book would be average-to-okay at most at that point, but well, serves me right for judging a book off its first pages. the story truly begins in chapter 1, and boy, does it kick in and take on a life on its own. (was that a spoiler? aha!)
it's another book printed with absurdly big print, making it seem longer than it is. i raced through this book so fast, i tried to slow down because you always want to save the best for last, or make something good last longer, but it demanded to be read and finished immediately.
let's talk about characters. they make up a story. sometimes, i will love a book for its characters, even if i find the plot and writing substandard. luckily, nothing is substandard in this book.
Carly is not a very fleshed-out character, she's simple, a little bit flat with minimal backstory and background. But that is okay, because we are watching from Leah's eyes, she is supposed to be simple, a means to compare with Leah's complicated and richly-imagined character. ugh, i'm starting to talk a bit pretentiously, too much university english for me, haha. :P but Jonsberg's writing is really beautiful, it's simple but literary at the same time. i usually hate over-description and flowery language, but Jonsberg makes it work, and doesn't over-use it.
anyway, Carly is simple, but cheerful and believable. unfortunately, we don't get to see more about her, because i'm sure there is more about her that wasn't revealed. but that's okay, because our focus is on Leah.
Leah. what can i say? she's awesome. i love her character, i like her formally structured way of speaking, i like her mannerisms and the way she responds to the world around her. the way she reflects on the new world in the perspective of an aged and wiser woman. i love that she loves books. i love that she loves stories, actually i love that this book talks about stories and imagination and the world inside our heads and their potential to go anywhere and be anything.
(watch out for spoilers!)
Adam is beautifully portrayed. i don't know how Jonsberg does it. i'm a cynical person, i don't want to believe in imaginary friends, yet somehow he's able to craft an imaginary friend that truly becomes real. not just to Leah, but to the reader as well. who is he really and did he truly exist? i find a lot of parallel between Adam and the figure of Christ, particularly considering the potential that he brought Leah home in the end.
i also don't hate Leah's mother, and find her a beautifully flawed character. there's a lot of depth that is hard to understand within humans, and she reminds us of that. people need something to cling to, whether it's books and their imagination or a spiritual faith that becomes twisted and off-kilter. there is a lot about this story to muse about, to ponder about, but i don't really want to ramble on. it's best if you just read it and decide by yourself.
it will require a bit more thinking for me to get over this novel, and that is really what reading should be about. i don't want to read a book and forget about it, i want it to stay with me. and Being Here will do just that. oh, by the way, i haven't worked out what the relevance of the title is. i understand the apple, but what about the title? any ideas, anyone?
in short, it's bloody awesome, and Barry Jonsberg, you've outdone yourself again.
August 28, 2016
Books are alive, but only when you open them. When you open the first page the story stirs, shakes itself, becomes full of people and places and animals. A world grows around you. And that world is yours to explore each time you turn that page.
although she knew how the story would end, she was never fully sure until she got there. because she felt change was possible in any story, but the act of reading kept things the same.
you give. you take. None of it makes much difference
Is there a story behind there?
Every person is a mystery
I want to visit he inside of another head, if only briefly.
You can never read too many books
Reading is partly the weight of the book in your hand, the feel of a page as you turn it. It is not an experience you can approximate
It's just that i get such strange thoughts
i view the past through the strange kaleidoscope of time and see it distorted
he chose his own path he was like a child you had taken his own identity, his own independence, as children
must
All stories demand to be heard. It is an inextricable part of there nature. It defines them.
Time is running out
Always babbling but saying nothing. No one remembers the purpose of human interaction. the current commerce of words is an insane spending spree and do you know why? Because they are no longer valued. We coin ans spend, spend and coin, and among the billions of daily bartered words, the endless babble, the text messages, the gossip in the newspaper masquerading as news, the verbal diarrhoea of television. we say nothing and we think we say everything.
He was completely living what he was doing. As if nothing else was happening and nothing else mattered.
It is simple
Because I'm scared of what I'll find
I need my story to live a while longer.When I die I want it to have an existence beyond me. It's her mind that will host it.It will bury itself there and every breath she takes will give it sustenance. Even if the recording fades, if it lies somewhere regarded, or is broken, Adam and I will live in memory.
There is beginning here. It snakes with the promise of vitality from an ending. Life comes from death. One story ends and another begins.
although she knew how the story would end, she was never fully sure until she got there. because she felt change was possible in any story, but the act of reading kept things the same.
you give. you take. None of it makes much difference
Is there a story behind there?
Every person is a mystery
I want to visit he inside of another head, if only briefly.
You can never read too many books
Reading is partly the weight of the book in your hand, the feel of a page as you turn it. It is not an experience you can approximate
It's just that i get such strange thoughts
i view the past through the strange kaleidoscope of time and see it distorted
he chose his own path he was like a child you had taken his own identity, his own independence, as children
must
All stories demand to be heard. It is an inextricable part of there nature. It defines them.
Time is running out
Always babbling but saying nothing. No one remembers the purpose of human interaction. the current commerce of words is an insane spending spree and do you know why? Because they are no longer valued. We coin ans spend, spend and coin, and among the billions of daily bartered words, the endless babble, the text messages, the gossip in the newspaper masquerading as news, the verbal diarrhoea of television. we say nothing and we think we say everything.
He was completely living what he was doing. As if nothing else was happening and nothing else mattered.
It is simple
Because I'm scared of what I'll find
I need my story to live a while longer.When I die I want it to have an existence beyond me. It's her mind that will host it.It will bury itself there and every breath she takes will give it sustenance. Even if the recording fades, if it lies somewhere regarded, or is broken, Adam and I will live in memory.
There is beginning here. It snakes with the promise of vitality from an ending. Life comes from death. One story ends and another begins.
March 11, 2016
Being Here was able to weave several meaningful topics that undoubtedly gave this book its own powerful message.
The character Leah phases back and forth between the past and the present, reminiscing about her youth. Leah reflects about the things that she didn't quite understand when she was young. This brought a connection for the reader because I'm sure many people experience this through several moments in their lives. Leah starts becoming comfortable with her story and soon told her life from a third person perspective to first person. That transition of narrative really changed our point of view and how we viewed the story. From the first person perspective, we were able to connect more closely with the character by her thoughts and actions as opposed to her just being called 'she'.
I like how Leah's mother was a bit of a complex character. With her being good nor bad as she believed in God's word, but committed murderous deeds to find the 'perfect paradise' for herself and her daughter. Depending on how the readers see it, we could have said that Leah's mother was the 'bad guy' of the story, but Leah herself counters otherwise. Her mother did it out of love, but I'm sure many people has mixed feelings about that.
The book seems almost like a fantasy, almost unreal. Adam is a character that couldn't be seen or heard by any character except for Leah. However, as the story developed, so did Adam. The reader starts to feel more connected to Adam, and might actually have started to believe that he was real.
Being Here is very beautifully written with its almost poetic language within the story. The beginning might turn to sound plain, but in the end, its a realistic book with a meaningful message.
The character Leah phases back and forth between the past and the present, reminiscing about her youth. Leah reflects about the things that she didn't quite understand when she was young. This brought a connection for the reader because I'm sure many people experience this through several moments in their lives. Leah starts becoming comfortable with her story and soon told her life from a third person perspective to first person. That transition of narrative really changed our point of view and how we viewed the story. From the first person perspective, we were able to connect more closely with the character by her thoughts and actions as opposed to her just being called 'she'.
I like how Leah's mother was a bit of a complex character. With her being good nor bad as she believed in God's word, but committed murderous deeds to find the 'perfect paradise' for herself and her daughter. Depending on how the readers see it, we could have said that Leah's mother was the 'bad guy' of the story, but Leah herself counters otherwise. Her mother did it out of love, but I'm sure many people has mixed feelings about that.
The book seems almost like a fantasy, almost unreal. Adam is a character that couldn't be seen or heard by any character except for Leah. However, as the story developed, so did Adam. The reader starts to feel more connected to Adam, and might actually have started to believe that he was real.
Being Here is very beautifully written with its almost poetic language within the story. The beginning might turn to sound plain, but in the end, its a realistic book with a meaningful message.
April 26, 2011
Leah Cartwright is an old woman living in a Home and waiting out her final days before she dies. No one visits and she has no family. She wavers in and out of days where everything is clear and others where she disappears in her memories and the present and future become clouded. She meets Carly, a young girl who is writing a local history project and Leah, as one of the oldest people in the state, will be the perfect primary source. Even though Leah claims her life was unremarkable, when she begins to recall her past, we hear of a bleak and lonely childhood, with it’s tragedy and sadness but also about the worlds created by books and an innocent encounter with her only childhood friend, that ultimately saved her. Barry Jonsberg has written such a delicate tale of ageing, loss, love and the ability to rise above ignorance and fear. This story has a haunting beauty, with delicious turns of phrases and a huge heart.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 24, 2012
Being Here stunned me.
By looking at the pitch, I assumed both Carly and Leah were teenagers. Boy was I surprised to find Leah was an elderly woman, just hanging onto her life because she has a story to tell. I guess that’s just the beginning of the originality of this story.
I love, mostly, how nobody’s portrayed as completely good or complete bad –nobody in this story at all. Not even Jane, who is an extremely minor character in the book. There are always quirks and faults in each of the characters, making them all memorable.
The romance seemed a little bit paranormal to me. And even though I’ve finished the book, I’m always going to assume Adam was another version of Leah’s Jesus, because religion plays a high part in this story and Adam was always right –even when Leah didn’t see it.
It’s a very unusual story. I highly recommend it to anyone who doesn’t have a completely logical mind, because you won’t find all the answers to your questions.
By looking at the pitch, I assumed both Carly and Leah were teenagers. Boy was I surprised to find Leah was an elderly woman, just hanging onto her life because she has a story to tell. I guess that’s just the beginning of the originality of this story.
I love, mostly, how nobody’s portrayed as completely good or complete bad –nobody in this story at all. Not even Jane, who is an extremely minor character in the book. There are always quirks and faults in each of the characters, making them all memorable.
The romance seemed a little bit paranormal to me. And even though I’ve finished the book, I’m always going to assume Adam was another version of Leah’s Jesus, because religion plays a high part in this story and Adam was always right –even when Leah didn’t see it.
It’s a very unusual story. I highly recommend it to anyone who doesn’t have a completely logical mind, because you won’t find all the answers to your questions.
April 10, 2011
I thought Being Here was a beautiful novel, and I absolutely loved reading it.
Barry Jonsberg writes exquisite descriptions, which held my attention right from the beginning. I enjoyed reading the book from Leah’s perspective, as she provides witty thoughts and intelligent observations.
Throughout the novel, I found myself wanting to turn the pages to not only continue the plot, but also read more of the wonderful description. I also wanted to decide whether Adam was real or imaginary.
Being Here was a fantastic novel, and I strongly recommend it. However, young readers should be cautious, as it does contain some confronting scenes which they may find a bit gory. Nevertheless, five stars for Being Here!
Barry Jonsberg writes exquisite descriptions, which held my attention right from the beginning. I enjoyed reading the book from Leah’s perspective, as she provides witty thoughts and intelligent observations.
Throughout the novel, I found myself wanting to turn the pages to not only continue the plot, but also read more of the wonderful description. I also wanted to decide whether Adam was real or imaginary.
Being Here was a fantastic novel, and I strongly recommend it. However, young readers should be cautious, as it does contain some confronting scenes which they may find a bit gory. Nevertheless, five stars for Being Here!
September 4, 2011
This book strikes me as very similar to another Australian book I've read this year, The Ghost's Child by Sonya Hartnett. And like I loved that book, I loved this one too. It was so hauntingly beautiful, and so sad, it made me finish the book with a sad smile. I never really understood, though, if (spoiler) The boy (I've forgotten his name) was imaginary or not. (spoiler end) It was still a beautiful masterpiece, well done, Mr Jonsberg.
April 3, 2012
** Spoiler Alert **
Being Here is a beautiful story about an elder woman, Leah Cartwright, who is losing her memory with her old age, and Carly, a young student who is doing a project on the history of the town. When Carly meets Leah she is taken on a wonderful journey hearing everything about Leah’s past and her friend Adam. Leah tells her everything because she knows that soon she will no longer be able to share her life story and she wanted it to live a little longer than she will. The language which is used throughout the book is beautiful and the way the story is written it kept me entertained for hours and I just didn’t want to put the book down even when I knew I had to.
Being Here is a beautiful story about an elder woman, Leah Cartwright, who is losing her memory with her old age, and Carly, a young student who is doing a project on the history of the town. When Carly meets Leah she is taken on a wonderful journey hearing everything about Leah’s past and her friend Adam. Leah tells her everything because she knows that soon she will no longer be able to share her life story and she wanted it to live a little longer than she will. The language which is used throughout the book is beautiful and the way the story is written it kept me entertained for hours and I just didn’t want to put the book down even when I knew I had to.
December 5, 2015
At first it sucked me in, made me curious, charmed me with words, but at the end, that is all I was left with. Words. It was so confusing at times! I can't even understand what the author was trying to do, but at the end of this book, he failed to catch me as a reader. The writing though was magnificent and at one time, I wished I had written this book. But that was at the beginning, before the cruel mother and just, plain wrongness happened. Skipped through quite a lot concerning the mother and her cruel self-righteous ways. There are so many other things to rant about, but so as not to offend anyone, this will be just another book on my read shelf.
May 21, 2011
absolutely loved it! having read many of Jonsberg's other books, I decided to give this one a go. A high schooler, Carly, has a social history assignment to research and decides to interview an elderly resident of a retirement home, Leah. Leah wants her story told and remembered so is happy have her memories recorded. The dialogue, the relationship between Carly and Leah, the secrets from the past all make for a great read.
August 9, 2011
Being Here is an incredibly captivating novel. Leah is an elderly lady who just wants her past to be told before she dies, which is hard when she feels nobody will be willing to listen, that is, until, she meets Carly, who comes to interview her for her school project. Leah begins to tell of her amazing past, and Carly can’t help but show interest and, as Leah’s tells Carly of her past, the two form a unbreakable bond of friendship and understanding.
April 27, 2013
I've been wanting to read some Barry Jonsberg for a while. He is a local secondary school teacher here in Darwin and is quite a prolific write of Young Adult fiction. I loved this book. He covers some very sensitive issues about parent child relationships, young and old lives, and real and imaginary friendships. It's written quite sensitively without shying away from some real conflict. Highly recommended.
November 2, 2013
Possibly I wasn't in the right mood, but it didn't grab me. It was written very poetically, when I was more in the mood for some action and drama. Written from the perspective of an old lady on the cusp of life and death worked well, and Jonsberg managed to convey the weariness well - which is perhaps why I grew weary of the story relatively easily. Recommended for people who value writing over plot, but it wasn't my thing.
March 9, 2011
So far, and I've only just started, this book is amazing.
The language is so detailed and descriptive, my heart was filled with joy!
It could take me out of my stressful world and put me something different.
For me to say that means that the book is amazing... this will go on my 'favourites' shelf!
More to come later once I've finished!
The language is so detailed and descriptive, my heart was filled with joy!
It could take me out of my stressful world and put me something different.
For me to say that means that the book is amazing... this will go on my 'favourites' shelf!
More to come later once I've finished!
September 20, 2015
Haunting and beautifully written. Not my kind of book but the story haunted me. Sort of in a good way. I needed to run to my happy books afterwards but the experience of the book felt kind of exhilarating. Like I've already said, beautifully written. Maybe just not my type of book but it kept me interested throughout the whole book.
June 25, 2013
Very different from his others. Refreshingly reflective. I thought it was anti Christian but realised that it contained the full essence of true Christian faith and hope in the end. I loved the idea that the end of this life is the beginning of th real story.
June 14, 2014
Any book that plays with my emotions, I like. This book made me gasp out aloud, literally LOL and cry so many times. The description is incredible and made the story feel so real. The only thing that pulled my rating down was that I never really understood 'Adam.' He remained a mystery to me.
April 13, 2011
I loved it, and it was so sad, even slightly gruesome in parts. Amazing, 10 out of 10 for sure
April 2, 2012
If you loved The Notebook, this one is definitely worth a try. Very touching, confronting, beautifully written.
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