‘We’ve been worried about Aiden too, Ash,’ said Mum. ‘He’s always been such a … predictable child. You’re not the only one to have noticed the changes.’
Aiden and Ashleigh Delatour are identical twins. Set in a future Australia, the twins live a life of privilege in the heart of Sydney. Their wealth stems from their engineering and computing genius mum who owns a successful company, while dad manages their enormous technology-driven home, where everything is available at the click of a button.
This near-future eco-dystopia presents an Australia that’s been ravaged by storms and rapidly rising sea levels – a disastrous consequence of climate change – leaving twenty million people displaced. Famine, catastrophe and population laws are enacted, with only one child per couple allowed (unless twins or triplets). The marginalised and lower-class population bear the blow of this eco-disaster, though the twins’ upper-class status places them in a bubble of protection.
The story’s opening scene immediately draws you in with a sensitive image of a young Ashleigh and Aiden promising to always be there for one another no matter what. Six years later, the twins’ personalities present a sensible Aiden who is always looking out for his sister, while Ashleigh is a little more blasé and juvenile.
However, Ashleigh and Aiden’s sheltered life is quickly unravelled on a school camping trip – a trip that changes their lives forever. When Ashleigh gets into trouble while kayaking on the trip, Aiden keeps his promise to look out for her, saving her life. He suffers a serious head injury and starts to act and speak differently as a result, becoming a different brother than the one Ashleigh knew. Now it’s up to her to look out for her brother and help him recover from his accident, a quest which leads her to discover a shocking truth (no spoilers here), altering her idyllic life forever.
Barry Jonsberg takes readers on a compelling journey that tackles important issues through the twins’ lives. With advanced technology and AI bots, I was instantly reminded of Ridley Scott’s 1982 dystopian film, Bladerunner. Barry’s choice to write from the perspective of privilege was a clever way to approach this coming-of-age story. Ashleigh’s journey to discovery mirrors the experience of growing up as her bubble of child naivety is popped.
From family dynamics and white privilege to climate change and ethics, Catch Me If I Fall has many unexpected twists and turns with a cliff-hanger like no other. This is a great read for readers 10+, and is best read with no expectations. Just let the story unfold, strap in and enjoy the ride.
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