Robert Forster, the renowned frontman of the Go-Betweens, has ventured into the world of fiction with his latest novel, Songwriters on the Run. While Forster is no stranger to the art of storytelling, this new work has left readers and critics alike with a sense of disappointment and confusion. The novel, set in 1991 Queensland, follows the journey of two long-maned, rock-star-wrecked men, Mick Woods and Drew Lovelock, as they navigate the aftermath of a drug bust and credit card fraud charges. Despite the intriguing premise, the novel fails to deliver the promised 'comic odyssey' or 'crime thriller', leaving readers with a sense of underwhelming expectations.
One of the main issues with Songwriters on the Run is its lack of emotional resonance. Forster's attempt at capturing the essence of music-making falls flat, with little to no evocative descriptions of the creative process. The novel is filled with platitudes and overused phrases, such as 'If only love and life could be written like a song', which fail to engage readers and leave them yearning for more substance. The dialogue, too, is often plodding and full of exposition, overwhelming the narrative and diluting the impact of the story.
Forster's writing style, which is typically engaging and insightful, seems to have faltered in this novel. The use of dialogue, while perhaps intended to create a sense of immediacy, often feels heavy-handed and fails to capture the essence of the characters. The novel's pacing is also a concern, with some sections dragging on, while others feel rushed and incomplete. The inclusion of real-life lyrics from Forster's own material, while interesting, does little to salvage the overall narrative.
Despite these shortcomings, Forster's experience and knowledge of the music industry shine through in certain passages. His ability to evoke the 'whippet-thing, track-suited desperados, hunting for heroin' in St Kilda during the 1980s is a testament to his skill in capturing the atmosphere and essence of a bygone era. Similarly, the descriptions of small-town Queensland are vivid and evocative, providing a sense of place and time that readers can immerse themselves in.
However, these moments of brilliance are too few and far between, leaving readers feeling underwhelmed and yearning for more. The novel's attempt to weave together various threads, including the search for the identities of the singer-songwriters on the blank cassette tape, feels forced and uninspired. The overall narrative lacks the depth and complexity that one would expect from a seasoned writer like Forster.
In conclusion, Songwriters on the Run is a disappointment, failing to live up to the promise of a captivating crime thriller or a compelling exploration of the music industry. While Forster's experience and knowledge of music and its makers are evident, the novel as a whole falls short, leaving readers with a sense of unease and a longing for the engaging storytelling that Forster is known for.
