Forbidden love. Political unrest. Secrets. Lies. Intrigue…
Tony Jones’ second novel, In Darkness Visible, contains all of the above, and more.
This racy story is set mostly in 2005, with flashbacks to Sydney in the 1970’s and a war-torn Croatia in the 1990’s. Anna Rosen is the protagonist, a fierce and fearless journalist on the hunt for the truth. Through flashbacks we learn that Anna was once in love with a dark, dangerous, mysterious man called Marin Katich. A man whom, up until a few days ago, she believed was dead. The pursuit of truth takes Anna to The Hague. And she finds it, and then some.
Jones is widely known and respected across Australia as a journalist and the host of ABC TV’s Q&A. He’s a trusted moderator and observer who offers unapologetic opinions and asks the tough questions. It should be no surprise then that his second novel, set to the tune of investigative journalism in the face of modern warfare, is meticulously researched and articulated. Almost, at times, to a fault.
Jones’ descriptions of people and places are rich and vibrant, but they do tend to be on the verbose side. While vivid descriptions of surroundings do serve the story, especially in times and places that the reader may not be familiar with, here they sometimes seem to take a backseat to the immediate action, which is a shame. On a similar note, Jones’ language verges on pompous at times, where he uses big, obscure words when perhaps simpler terminology would have sufficed. It could be perceived as a display of his intelligence, which could cause a sense of isolation in the reader if they feel unmatched. However, perhaps Jones’ target audience would feel perfectly at ease with this sort of language, probably being followers and fans of his work already.
One triumph that Jones does achieve is the character of Anna. She’s so detailed it’s easy to forget that she isn’t the creation of a female author. Anna is real, and flawed. She has secrets and regrets, and she’s emotional and brittle. She wishes she’d been a better mother to her daughter, Rachel. She has a past that she’d like to forget about. Jones articulates all of this beautifully and sensitively.
The plot jumps back and forth between decades, countries and characters, which can be more than a little confusing. You may find yourself flicking back to the beginning of each chapter to remember when and where you’re meant to be. But if you can follow along without too much trouble, you’re in for a pretty wild ride. The final quarter is undeniably gripping.
In Darkness Visible isn’t for the fainthearted. It describes, without going into too much overt stomach-churning detail, the violent atrocities inflicted on those involved in the Yugoslav Wars. It’s a compelling, racy political thriller that even someone without extensive knowledge of these particular conflicts could enjoy. It’s satisfying to read a story of this nature with an Aussie twist, and any Sydneysider will relish seeing their city laid out in all its 70’s gore and glory.
In Darkness Visible, published Nov 5.
Alana Kaye – On The Page
