Lawrie’s voice retains a childlike naivety balanced with a developing sophistication as he learns the various modes and techniques of his art. Sofie’s prose effortlessly moves between Lawrie’s interior world and the shifting landscapes of Australia in the second half of the twentieth century. It is in this way Lawrie is able to communicate, in a language of the senses and in a constant dialogue with the Masters who have gone before him. In the natural world Lawrie is able to explore a multitude of expressions from the interplay of colour to the contrast of dark and light. Lawrie finds no comfort or understanding in the men around him and returns to the art that he discovered as a boy. Lawrie has been scarred by the trauma he experienced and is prevented from talking about it both psychologically and physically through a stammer that manifests, preventing him from clearly articulating. Infinite Splendours takes us from Lawrie’s childhood, through his twenties and into his fifties. I’m not going to go into the details of what Lawrie experiences but for anyone out there going through a difficult time know that help is available and you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14. This is a difficult topic and it will hit home for too many people. That’s the first thing to know about Infinite Splendours it confronts trauma head on and does not flinch from the damage and the repercussions suffered throughout the lifespan. Art is his passion and Lawrie can see the world differently to others until a horrific trauma robs him of his sense of freedom in the world. Lawrie’s a good student, and a faithful brother and son. Lawrie’s father was killed in the second world war and the boys roam free around their homestead in the shadows of the Grampians. Lawrence lives an idyllic life with his mother and younger brother Paul. Infinite Splendours takes us back to 1950’s Victoria. Sofie's latest novel is Infinite Splendours. Sophie Laguna is the author of the Miles Franklin Award winning Eye of the Sheep, the Indie Book Award winning The Choke.

The Eye of the Sheep by Sofie Laguna