I'm three quarters through this remarkable novel by Australian literary giant, Helen Garner. Set in 1970s Melbourne, it charts the sporadic interactions between a group of fringe-dwelling, drug-addled, boundary- pushing bohemians as they endeavour to confront traditional systems of family, relationships, money and sex. All of this frontier-battling invariably leads to much confusion; the protagonist Nora strives to live free of monogamy, yet desires to be loved above all things. Her relationship with the actor/junkie Javo is the monkey grip that will not loosen. What is particularly compelling is the way that the women fight for sexual freedom, yet continue to bear the brunt of contraception and child-rearing. One wonders how much has changed? Some have lauded Garner's stream of consciousness style, and others have dismissed the work as a published diary. (Garner based much of Monkey Grip on her own diaries, many of which she sadly burned in the 1980s.) But her fluid prose, dream descriptions and veracious account of a younger Melbourne have left this reader haunted and wanting more. (And also wishing I was a member of a book club so that I could hear some other opinions!)
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