The story of how Show Me the Sky came to be written is possibly even more interesting and fascinating than the novel. The story of the writing is, of course, true, while the novel is fiction, yet sometimes one wonders if the stories have been reversed. The mystery of author Nicholas Hogg's true-life tale begins with a motorcycle accident, which is, coincidentally, the beginning of the novel's narrative. I’d never heard of Show Me the Sky, but after reading an account of its writing it became a “must read” for me.
The plot of the novel takes place in a variety of venues, beginning in the far southern reaches of the globe, in Fiji and Australia. It next quickly moves to Sydney, then the Outback, where the accident occurs. There are several timeshifts to 19th century London and Fiji, and by the time you’ve finished the book you’ve also seen Nairobi and London and Russia. There are frequent time shifts as well, with parts of the story taking place in modern times, some in the recent past, the not-too-distant past, and some taking place 175 years ago. All these instances are eventually tied together, slowly giving us the full, rich story which is told here.
The action and the history all contribute to the central theme, which revolves around and alludes to the disappearance of Billy Flynn, a rock star at the height of his fame. It’s rich in descriptions of his early life, his being effectively orphaned and living on his own as an adolescent. It’s also heavy on plot and personal and emotional interaction, giving it the feel of true life. There’s a policeman searching for the missing rock star, and the story is as much about him as the rock star, and how be allows his search to take precedence over common sense, maturity and good sense.
The plotting and narrative are sometimes so skillfully administered that one tends to forget that this is the freshman attempt by the author. I look forward to a rich and rewarding career for Nicholas Hogg.
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