I opened this book and could not put it down. IN A COMMON HOUR (Ultimo Press 2026) by Sita Walker is a remarkable novel that immediately connects readers to characters and setting, and explores themes of coming of age, education, class, racism, mental health, ambition, desire, love, friendship and loyalty. It features flawed people with broken hearts and broken dreams, kind people who will do whatever it takes to save their friends, lost people who become found, and malignant memories that are finally put to rest.
The entire novel is set over one hour during a high school lunch break. (Yes! One hour!) The skill of the author in developing the narrative and characters to the extent that she can sustain tension and pace over only an hour is extraordinary. Of course, there are flashbacks and backstory, but the pivotal plot takes place almost in one scene.
The setting is Parks State High School and as readers we are given the perspectives of several characters. Oliver Fish is literally a fish out of water – keen on philosophy, literature and poetry, he hides a secret relationship. Conservative and religious Maryam Fadel is academically brilliant and seemingly unaware that Dev Patel is obsessed with her; as ‘in love’ as a teenage boy can be. The other characters such as Freedom, Zoe, Solomon, Cameron and Warren – just to name a few – are all richly layered and unforgettable, an insightfully observed cast, each with their own backstory, ambitions and conundrums.
All these characters revolve around the central figure in the story, Paul Bush, a teacher with a complicated past who gets caught up in a student prank that might finally shock him into reality. Can’t say much without spoilers but the development of Paul Bush and his history is crafted with expert care.
Themes include parenting and motherhood, the development of our personalities and what shapes our dreams, the shackles and joys of raising children, the unrelenting slog of being a teacher (especially a good teacher), adolescent coming-of-age issues, religious parameters, and the smarts of young people (both in tech-savvy ways and also emotional capacity).
The wonderful aspect of this novel is the structure. While the main narrative takes place over one hour, intermittent chapters take the reader back to 45 years ago, then the previous week, five years ago, 17 years ago, 10 years ago, eight years ago, two years ago, 12 years ago, 13 years ago and the previous night. Each section adds an interesting perspective on a particular character and shines a light on why they are where they are in their life right now.
I loved the white space in this book. The author allows the reader plenty of latitude to think around the events and themes themselves. She hints at incidents or refers to them in an offhand or shorthand manner, so that the reader must do some work to put the pieces of the puzzle together. There are some quiet but beautiful revelations towards the end, and a harmonious circular detail that brings the resolution to its surprising but inevitable conclusion.
Walker writes teenage characters with skill and authenticity but also demonstrates the state of adult characters’ lives because of what has come before.
IN A COMMON HOUR is funny, wise, poignant, tender, surprising, clever and thought-provoking. It will break your heart then reinstate your belief in people’s intrinsic goodness.