Before the Beginning

Before the Beginning
Written by Anna Morgan
Contemporary, LGBT, Mystery, Romance
Published September 29th 2020
240 Pages
Thanks to Hachette Australia
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★★★★

Schoolies week, that strange in between time when teenagers move from school into the adult world. It's a week when anything is possible, and everything can change.


Grace is questioning everything she thought about herself, and has opted not to join her clique of judgemental friends for schoolies, instead tagging along with her brother Casper and his friends. Casper, an artist, is trying to create the perfect artwork for his uni application folio. Overachieving, anxiety ridden Noah is reeling from a catastrophe that might have ruined his ATAR result. And Elsie is just trying to figure out how to hold their friendship group together.


On the first night of the trip, they meet Sierra, a mysterious girl with silver grey hair and a magnetic personality. All of them are drawn to her for different reasons, and she persuades them to abandon the cliched schoolies experience in favour of camping with her on a remote, uninhabited island. On that island, each of them will find answers to their questions. But what does Sierra want from them?

Grace is an attentive daughter, admired among her congregation and an intelligent scholarship recipient. While awaiting her results, Grace is contemplating an apprenticeship with her congregation, reluctantly deciding to spend her postschool celebrations with her brother Casper and his friends in the seaside town of their childhood vacations. Casper hopes to complete his artists portfolio for university applications and along with best friends Elsie and Noah, spending a few days to celebrate, commiserate and ponder their futures.


Although narrated by several characters, Casper, Elise and Noah, Grace is the interloper. Grace and Casper shared a wonderful sibling relationship as children, while Casper pursues his artistry, Grace continued her involvement within the church, creating tension and alienating the young siblings. Grace is a likeable young woman, her faith has caused her to feel isolated from her friends and family as she often appears as being judgemental, culminating in being confronted by Elise. Elise barely tolerates Grace, although not by virtue of her religious beliefs but because every conversation with Grace is about her faith, while she pays little attention to anyone not sharing her own principals. 


Soon after arriving at the seaside cottage, the group of four unlikely travel companions meet Sierra, a spirited young woman who convinces them to spend the the next few days illegally camping on the abandoned Shearwater Island. On the island, the serene and tranquil atmosphere allows friendships to blossom, tentative romances to begin, declarations of unrequited love and conceding that life isn't always ideal but our mistakes allow us to mature as individuals. 


The characters are wonderfully contrasted. Noah was awarded with a scholarship to a prestigious private school, his mother's expectations only secondary to his own. As a result, he's incredibly anxious and overwhelmed. Elise and Casper share a codependent friendship and although Casper is seemingly unaware, Elise harbors immense feelings for her friend. The friendship blossoming between Elise and Grace was beautiful and although they both found aspects of one another's personality irritating, like Grace learning to listen to others without judgement and Elise learning patience, they found middle ground and a mutual respect for one another. Sierra was never a looming presence over their friendship group but she brought out the best in some characters, Grace especially and the worst in others, namely Casper. I wasn't fond of Casper. He's flighty and only concerned about himself, the attention others are giving him and is verging on tantrum throwing when he doesn't get his own way. Namely Sierra.


The romance between Grace and Sierra was unexpected but really lovely for the most part. Rather than Sierra encouraging Grace to explore her identity, it seemed to be the island itself and their surroundings that allowed Grace's spirit to soar and it was beautiful. Although she doesn't talk about her sexuality, I can imagine it wasn't something she was able to discuss with her friends from church, incredibly judgemental girls who felt the need to issue an announcement body shaming girls who want to wear bikinis, very much implying that the female body is a distraction for men and to cover up with a modest bathing suit. It's no wonder Grace took her chances camping with Casper and his friends, her friends, what little we hear about them, are horrible and use their faith as a reason to exclude and shame others. That seemed to be Grace's turning point.


The writing itself is magical, as Anna Morgan has creates a narrative that slowly unravels on each page. Who is Sierra? I loved the Australian summer atmosphere of Shearwater Island, the mystery, intrigue but most of all, the character development. Anna Morgan is a masterful storyteller, creating journey's of discovery, of acceptance and finding your way into the world, placing importance on the journey rather than the destination. 

9 comments

  1. Sounds like an interesting story of self discovery. I love books like that

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    1. It was so lovely! I love books that focus on the self discover and development of characters and this has that in spades! There's truly something magical about this one.

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  2. I don't know that my comment saved. But great review. This one sounds really lovely. I love great characterization in books, as you know, and it seems like Before the Beginning does a great job with that. I love that you called the wriitng magical.

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

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    1. The writing is absolutely beautiful and really draws you into the storyline from the first few pages. A little like a friend telling you a story and you're so mesmerised that before you know it, it's dawn and you've read the entire thing. It's one of my favourite aspects of Australian young adult, there's no filler, just great writing. Looking forward to seeing what other readers think of this one as well.

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  3. Who is Sierra ended! Your description of Morgan's waiting is brilliant! There are so many elements that have my attention!

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    1. It's such a wonderful read Verushka, I think you'll really enjoy this one!

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  4. Seems lovely how Sierra made such an impact on everyone even if it was messy at times.

    Karen @ For What It's Worth

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    1. Her character seemed to give them the push they needed to examine their own lives. Such a lovely read Karen.

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  5. This sounds like a beautiful story. You have me really wanting to meet these characters and experience that wonderful setting.

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