An Australian writer who is new to me but both prolific and very highly regarded. The German word that would describe this book is probably bildungsroman: a coming-of-age story ostensibly about Rob (six when the book opens, fourteen when it ends) who idolizes his older cousin Rick. Rick is absent for much of the book because he is a Japanese POW in World War Two. The tale describes Rob’s day-to-day life in his small hometown and at family sheep stations in western Australia. Although I was never captivated by Stow’s writing (more than any other Australian writer I’ve read, he makes use of Australian idioms), he is nevertheless masterful at depicting the life of a maturing young boy and, even more, providing a sense of place. He has a gift for imagery and, indeed, the book is in some ways a love letter to place. In fact, it’s this very aspect of the book that I find puzzling because Stow left Australia in his early thirties and stayed away for the last 36 years of his life (he died in England in 2010 at the age of 74). Toward the end of the book, the focus largely shifts from Rob to his cousin Rick and Stow moves from nostalgia to poignancy. Much as I was impressed the first two-thirds of the book, I thought he hit his stride in this last portion. I never loved the work but still consider it a very impressive novel and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it. ( )

So much of this work is my childhood set 15. years earlier,but the country side,the scents,playing in paddocks, all beautifully described. Should be compulsory reading for WA students. ( )

A beautiful book about hero worship from the point of view of a young lad for his older cousin. A great novel set in Western Australia. It glorifies the natural world. Rob, the young lad, discovers over time the frustration of established family beliefs. He comes to see his idol, cousin Rick, as a flawed character, the result of post-traumatic stress disorder as a Japanese prisoner-of-war.
The Merry-go-Round in the Sea describes an Australia that has long gone,(1941-1949). Rick decides to leave Geraldton, WA.
"I can't stand,' Rick said, 'this-ah, this arrogant mediocrity. The shoddiness and the wowserism and the smug wild-boyos in the bars. And the unspeakable bloody boredom of belonging to a country that keeps up a sort of chorus: Relax, mate, relax, don't make the pace too hot. Relax, you bastard, before you get clobbered."
Go out an find this book.

Whilst a book many Australian's read at school as part of their curriculum, would not be appropriate to see this as a children's book (akin to reading 'Pride and Prejudice' or 'Hamlet'). The following 'review' is really just a snatch of observations. But it is a wonderful book and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys a read that engages the senses.

There are a few themes but growing up/getting older/being mature is tied in with nationalism/being Australian/insularity and wanting more without knowing what 'more is' except escape from here.

The books title, and metaphor, the merry-go-round is aligned to a poem written by Rick to Rob upon his return home following 4-years incaceration as a POW in Burma during WW2:

'Thy firmness makes my circle just,
And makes me end, where I begun'

The plot covers Rob's early life, 6 o 14, during which his older, much admired cousin Rick is captured by the Japanese and is absent. Rob is entranced by life on the farm, the Australian bush and poetry. Whilst young, he has great sensitivity for the beauty and poetry of rural and natural Australia, and regrets being a 'townie'. Rick, upon returning to the family property and his studies as a lawyer is struggling to adjust to the innocence and ignorance or insularity of his family and the community. Whilst clearly being part of the country he feel an outsider, and cannot settle down. It seems, apart from his brutual education, he is suffering from a post-traumatic stress, indicated in his moods, art and relationships.

Rob whilst open to the influences of the outside world, struggles with change, in particular with Rick's departure. He feels he needs Rick to grow up. Rob's own father, a lawyer who left the army, also suffers from depression, and saves Rob's life twice (coincidently in the water), but Rob cannot connect with him. We learn little about Rob's father, but he provides a parallel and contrast to the more vocal and admired Rick.

The book is written beautifully, often poetic and visual. The characters, apart from snatches of racism, are gentle and understated. Australia is painted as a beautiful, child-like in its innocence, willing itself to ignore its recent brutal history.

One of the qualities I really liked about this book was that at various times there was a set up which I felt would lead to some sexual/violent/nasty development to take place, and it just doesn't. It was a relief.

The author Randolph Stow grew up in Geraldton, WA where this book is set. He is around the same age as the central character Rob. Both he and Rob's father were lawyers, and both he and Rob have a poetic bent and a love of the bush. Randolph Stow finally escaped Australia and returned just once to accept a literary award. ( )

Understated and meditative, and perhaps deceptively simple at first, this account of a young Australian boy’s childhood in and around Geraldtown, Western Australia, and his reactions to his older cousin’s wartime imprisonment by the Japanese, was gut-wrenching to me as much for what it didn’t say as for what it did. It’s not a story in which a lot happens, but I loved the way in which it depicted a rural Australia of yesteryear, and the melancholy atmosphere it evoked. ( )