Verity Creek

De: Brian Byrne

Narrado por: Brian Byrne

Ian Sullivan, a studious and dutiful thirteen-year-old, finds solace and escape from the baking heat of the Australian outback by immersing himself in classic works of fiction. At first, he thinks he has found a kindred spirit when Anthony Messina, the son of the new town butcher, joins St. Kieran’s for the start of the 1963 school year. And as a bonus, Anthony’s sister Sophia seems to like him as well.

While the little Queensland town of Verity Creek embraces the new butcher, Ian gradually realizes that something is very wrong in the Messina home. Normally Ian would turn to his parents for guidance, but he feels directly responsible for two tragedies that may tear his family apart.

He is certain his parents want to deal with him as little as possible.

Ian is closest to his older sister Mary, but she is over four hundred miles away. Mary sings the praises of the nuns at her boarding school in Townsville so when Ian realizes that Sophia is in real danger, he convinces her that they need to escape and find sanctuary at St. Brigid’s.

In the year when his life turns upside down, Ian learns that figuring out what’s true and then doing what’s right are the hardest things about growing up.

©2017 Brian Byrne (P)2024 Brian Byrne

Great Listen

Brian Byrne's Verity Creek surprised me in many ways. At first, I really thought it would just be a quiet, simple story set in rural Australia — very calm, very homey, and almost slow in a comforting way. The main character, Ian Sullivan, is 13–14 years old and raised in a religious household that teaches him good values, responsibility, and imagination. I enjoyed how he loves reading and daydreaming about traveling the world, especially during a time without digital distractions.

As the story went on, it slowly shifted from peaceful to emotional, and even shocking at times. One early moment involving Ian helping his father with a bushfire caught me off guard — not many parents would let a child join something so dangerous, but it became an important learning moment for both of them.

When new friends entered the picture, I noticed some red flags right away, especially with Anthony. The story also touches on themes like jealousy between old and new friends and even hints of racism. Considering the 1963 setting, it felt realistic, though still uncomfortable. It’s the kind of detail that makes you think.

The book really becomes a roller coaster emotionally. One scene involving a baby getting burned hit very close to home for me because I recently visited a baby with a similar injury. I could feel the panic, fear, and helplessness in that chapter, and I honestly felt my heart drop. I hate that I loved how the author made me feel all of that — but it shows how strong the writing is.

The situation involving Anthony and Sofia’s family was also heartbreaking. Without giving too much away, it deals with family problems, fear, and the difficulty of speaking up when you feel unheard. Their journey added tension and a sense of urgency, and even though they’re young, their feelings and decisions felt real for their age.

Despite the heavy parts, there are also fun, adventurous, and touching moments. The entire book gave me a mix of calm, humor, fear, sadness, and even a bit of young love — which I didn’t expect, but it worked for the story.

The narration’s Australian accent felt awkward for me at first because I’m not used to it, but I adjusted faster than I expected. In the end, it actually added a more authentic “Australian” feel to the whole experience. I also appreciate how well the narrator handled character voices — consistently. That’s definitely a talent.

Verity Creek starts slow and cozy, then grows into something emotional, adventurous, and meaningful. I enjoyed the detailed descriptions — I could picture the setting clearly, from the outback to the little homes and towns along the way. It also reminded me of the big difference between kids who grow up outdoors with books and imagination versus kids glued to screens today.

It’s a coming-of-age story with heart, tension, growth, and a very real look at life in rural Australia in the 1960s. I’m really glad I listened to it.