We Didn’t Think It Through (Gary Lonesborough, A&U Children’s)

Jamie Langton doesn’t mean to be so angry. He didn’t mean to partake in car theft. He didn’t mean to end up in juvenile detention. After a plan to get revenge against one of his bullies goes sideways, with intended vandalism turning into grand theft auto, juvie is exactly where Jamie finds himself. There, he is forced to reconcile who he is, what he wants, and where he wants to go. We Didn’t Think It Through is Gary Lonesborough’s second YA novel, hot on the heels of his award-winning debut The Boy from the Mish. Like Jamie, Lonesborough himself is a Yuin writer and that comes across in the richness, depth and authenticity of the main character’s voice. While the writing can be repetitive at times and the plot feels like it misses opportunities, with certain pivotal moments failing to be capitalised on, the novel’s strength is in its construction of strong, compelling characters. Jamie is often not particularly likable, but he’s someone that you root for nonetheless, because you understand the factors that contributed to how he got to this point in his life. Intergenerational trauma, the loss of identity and the realities of racism all play a role. Like everyone around him, you hope for a brighter tomorrow because he deserves it. As a queer Indigenous reader and reviewer, I know that We Didn’t Think it Through is an important addition to Australian YA fiction. It shines a much-needed light on the Indigenous voices that should have always been included in the #LoveOzYA scene.

Books+Publishing reviewer: Bohdi Byles is a freelance reviewer with a background in bookselling, publishing and writing. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.

Category: Reviews