Robert Lukins – Loveland (Literature Review)

[CW: The book in this review discusses themes of domestic violence and spousal abuse.]

Melbourne-based author Robert Lukins sophomore novel Loveland is one not to miss.

Upon releasing his debut novel, The Everlasting Sunday Robert Lukins created something of a splash in the Australian literary landscape, with many of his contemporaries – from Paige Clark (She is Haunted) to Michelle de Kretser (The Life to Come) and Kristina Olsson (Shell) heralding the arrival of a brilliant new talent.

And the praise didn’t stop there with several publications including The Australian, Australian Book Review and Better Reading all providing him with critical acclaim. 

I came across Lukins’ latest novel Loveland almost by chance when browsing the catalogue of books available for review through Allen & Unwin. While I wasn’t aware of Lukins or the illustrious reputation his debut novel has afforded him going into reading this new release, now that I have read it, I can do no more than whole heartedly agree with every one of the fantastic reviews his work has received so far.

Loveland is essentially the story of two women, a granddaughter, May who inherits her grandmother Casey’s dilapidated Nebraskan estate upon her passing. While the two were never particularly close, and May’s family has never really been what one would call loving, she sees it as an opportunity to escape her abusive marriage and start again, if only with the proceeds the sale of such a vast property would bring her.

But when May arrives in Loveland, she slowly comes to realise just how interconnected her own history is with her grandmother’s and how reflective her relationship with her grandfather is of May’s own terrible marriage.

Loveland is devastating and compassionate, heartbreaking and tender all at once. It dives deep into a social commentary on poignant social issues and justice surrounding domestic violence, not only in Australia but the world as a whole. That said, it is its own story and doesn’t is crafted so brilliantly through the eyes of May and Casey that you don’t really feel overwhelmed by its message at any point.

Told in dual perspectives, that of Casey throughout her doomed marriage in 1950s Nebraska, and May’s own horrible experience, Loveland is something of a character study as we watch these two women grapple with their relationships and abusive partners before finally finding the courage to stand up to the people hellbent on their demise.

Writing about such things with compassion and sensitivity is a difficult thing to achieve, but Lukins does it so well. He shines a mirror on the gritty, terrible thing that is spousal abuse and domestic violence and yet his writing is so lyrical and enchanting that you can’t help but read on, and on, captivated until the very end.

Loveland is, it must be said, not a book for the feint hearted. But if you can manage its themes, you’ll find a jewel of literary fiction that can’t be ignored. This was my first encounter with Lukins’ work but you can bet I’ll be reading more of his novels in the future, starting with what I missed in The Everlasting Sunday.

Loveland by Robert Lukins is out now through Allen & Unwin.