Inchworm

Gussie’s story began in The Burying Beetle and continued with The Bower Bird. In this third book, we re-visit the character following her heart and lung transplant. In equal parts feisty and fragile, Gussie is an intriguing character, feeling in many ways to be reminiscent of Cassandra in Dodie Smith’s I Capture the Castle with a burgeoning self-awareness, individual streaks and a perceptibly creative take on the world surrounding her.

Inchworm sees Gussie in post-transplant convalescence. Despite this however, her intrigue and verve for life are quickly roused whether by birds, insects or reading. Vivid and beautifully life-affirming contrast is created with this via the quieter more contemplative moments in which her life is poignantly counter-balanced with the mortality of her donor’s.

Coursing through the novel are Gussie’s endeavours to re-unite her parents in attempts to reconcile her own physical trauma with a familial safe-haven. The poetic diction of the prose highlights the precious, fragile nature of Gussie’s individuality and the limited extent of each of our lives in this sensitively realised tale.