Loop Tracks – Sue Orr

READ FOR NZ BOOK AWARDS

For a time in the late ’70s, abortion was illegal in New Zealand and young woman who could afford it would fly to Sydney for the procedure. Loop Tracks‘ story line is built around that moment in history. The protagonist, Charlie, is 16 years old in the opening pages and onboard a flight bound for Australia.

The first time I got on an aeroplane, I was sixteen years old and pregnant. I was on my way to Sydney to have my situation sorted out. It was May 1978 and that was what you had to do if you had enough money for the flight and the procedure. Although they didn’t say procedure, or termination. Not as I recall. They definitely hardly ever said abortion.

The second narrative is set in 2020 when she is in her late 50s and caring for her teenage grandson Tommy who has Aspergers, and the country goes into Covid lockdown.

The story is bookended with controversial times in New Zealand’s history – the ‘70s when abortions were illegal, and 2020 when reform about abortion, euthanasia and drugs was in discussion. With an election looming, Tommy seeks answers and offers controversial opinions on big topics, spurring interesting debate between himself and his grandmother.

There is a cyclic nature to the themes and story lines which helps shape character development and the reveal of information, and which provides a feeling of completeness. As was common in lockdown, the characters here are spending those days locked in the same four walls examining their lives, their loss of choice, their community, trying to make sense of the past and worrying about the future. There are plenty of secrets and reveals along the way too.

I read this book in one day (ironically when home with Covid) and couldn’t put it down. The timing and topicality probably had something to do with it, but still, it is a well-structured book that’s easy to read and gets the conscience whirling.  – Rachel

Published 2022
Victoria University Press
332 pages