Review Detail

Reader reviewed by designsbymikayla

Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta is a very complex and out of the ordinary narrative. It details the history of seventeen-year-old Taylor Markham as she reflects upon her abandonment on the side of Jellicoe Road at the age of eleven-years-old and her present relationships as a result.

A delicate framework is woven to allow for the plot to occur in this narrative. This may be representative of the fragile nature of a teenage psyche and the result of years of questions and unknowns. In my opinion, this book reveals much about the nature of repressed memories and the unleashing of such memories. In Taylors memories of her mother and father she only holds onto certain pieces of her past, each of which is masked in mystery. Such examples include her misunderstanding of the memory in which she sees herself sitting on the strong shoulders of man she believes is her father. In reality the man is her aunts lifelong boyfriend. In life, humans often misinterpret situations and people and this is just the case. Anyone who reads this book may find it easier to understand themselves simply from the confusion of Taylor.

The Territory Wars that take place in Taylors school life also cause much inner turmoil when Taylor is selected to lead her school in the underground association. This turmoil sprouts from another figure from her past, Jonah Griggs (the new leader of the Cadets, a rival territory group). Taylor sees Griggs not only as a threat to her school but a threat to her own reputation because they have a history together. Their history is that of an attempted escape and the causes for such a drastic cry for help.

I believe that the author has done a great job is creating a setting and plot that is so delicate. Each part of the plot is intricately woven like a spider web and is threatened at all times; however, the book still stands strong and firm. The drama and complexity of the story of Taylors mothers life and Taylors life as they combine to form the present circumstances show the authors most excellent skills, the skills of portraying reality in a real way. The chaos of the situations adds another element to the realism of the story.

Each of the characters is portrayed as independent beings and yet they work in unison. Taylor Markham shows the epitome of confusion. The mystery, questions and sadness beneath the surface of Taylor proves that life is masked in unknowns and it up to humans to decipher their own. Jonah Griggs is masked in the same characteristics but has found some comfort in his mother and brother. He acts as a liberator for Taylor and their relationship blooms upon both their similarities and differences and the present circumstance. Hannah is an elusive character and we learn about her through glimpses into her past in the form of her book and pictures. She is a mystery until the very end.

I would willingly recommend this book to my fellow readers, teens and adults alike.