The Dream House

Information from the publisher calls this book a ‘sketchbook novella’, an excellent description of a short-ish story with lots of black and white pictures, supposedly drawn by the main character himself.  Rex is a very sensitive lad, who has just lost his father to cancer, and it has affected him very badly.  He is living inside his head these days, not eating much, nor sleeping, and not talking either, unable to express his feelings to his Godfather, Sparky, another highly sensitive person with whom he is staying.  Sparky tries his best to bring Rex out of his misery, but he also understands that Rex must take his own time.  The text, written by a poet in a very beautiful and vivid style, is matched by the delicate illustrations.  At Sparky’s house, where Rex has often visited, there is a little shed in the garden that has always been his special place, built by his Dad and Sparky, always best friends, and filled with Rex’s favourite things.  He often sits in the house and dreams and is able to be himself, but this visit he must wait until he is ready before going in.  Having met local boy, Sidney, a rather rough and ready character, the two of them finally go into the Dream House, and Sidney comes to represent the Dad he has lost, who also had a similar personality.  The two of them become wary friends.  In the end, there is a poignant scene where Rex reads a letter written to him from his Dad, an intensely moving letter that finally brings him relief and the ability to cry.  The entire book is moving in the extreme, and we see Rex beginning the process of moving through intense grief to acceptance.  Not an easy read, but a beautifully written and drawn description of one boy’s journey.