Faces in the Clouds

Berkelouw Review

Faces In The Clouds – Matt Nable

Raw and gritty, Faces In The Clouds is a disturbing and thought-provoking novel.

It is essentially the story of twin brothers, Stephen and Lawrence, growing up in the 1970’s within the confines of an army barracks, until a time when family tragedy necessitates a move away to live a civilian life. 

Lawrence has a mental impairment, and Stephen is troubled by his relationship with his brother all his life. He is fiercely protective, yet has demons to deal with and is torn between two worlds. 

There are violent undercurrents and dark secrets which run throughout this book. The the characters are complex and deftly drawn. The writing is palpable. The sexual rawness is disconcerting. 

Nable has a wonderful gift of interweaving serious themes with a touch of light-heartedness. Lawrence is a mad Eagles rugby league fan and he sits on “the hill” to watch his favourite player, the international fullback, commonly known as “Possum.” 

Matt Nable is a local author, an accomplished actor, and writer of the acclaimed film “The Final Winter”. He is also an ex- first grade rugby league player. This is his second novel, and like his first, is powerfully rewarding.