Review: Grow by Luke Palmer

It is impressive to read how well Luke Palmer has introduced the grieving process in Grow. The protagonist really tackles the process of grief, and the idea that there is no such thing as as a set length of time when it comes to mourning the loss of someone. This book isn’t happy-go-lucky sweet. It’s dark and gripping until the final pages and it is so worth it.

Grow looks at the bereavement of a teenage boy who lost his father during a bomb attack on a train. It has been two years and Josh certainly has not dealt with the loss in a healthy way. Things get unhealthier when he finds himself in a group of violent white supremacists, who stir hatred towards asylum seekers and blame the so-called “them” for everything they perceive as wrong with society.

The most enjoyable part of the reading process might be the fact that you constantly want to close your eyes and stop reading. Palmer is great at visualising everything with very few words which makes it even more delicious reading.

While it is a sad and dark story, there is still a love story hidden within. You could consider it a love story between mother and son, and a love story between two best friends who need to reunite. It is a story about moving on, and the last few steps one needs to take before moving on from the death of their father. Grow is perfect for anyone who enjoys thrillers and doesn’t get squeamish when reading about a bit of blood.

Anet Rumberg