Robert Forster, the renowned frontman of the Go-Betweens, has ventured into the world of fiction with his latest novel, Songwriters on the Run. While Forster is no stranger to the art of music and writing, his foray into fiction has left some readers underwhelmed. The novel, set in 1991 in central Queensland, follows the adventures of Mick Woods and Drew Lovelock, two long-maned, rock-star-wrecked handsome men in their 30s. Despite their critical acclaim and international tours, their hopes of reaching the stratosphere are dashed when they are caught with a bag of weed and charged with credit card fraud and driving a stolen car. As they navigate the correctional facility and their escape, the story unfolds with a mix of music, drugs, lust, and reflections on the art of songwriting.
The novel's narrative style is described as tongue-in-cheek and PG-13, but it falls short of the promised 'comic odyssey' or 'crime thriller'. The prose lacks melody and rhythm, and is overwhelmed with dialogue, much of which is plodding and full of exposition. Forster's attempts at lyric-writing, while incorporating real lines from his own released material, fail to evoke emotional resonance. A musing from Mick on songwriting sounds AI-generated, focusing on universal themes and characters rather than personal experiences.
One of the novel's strengths is its portrayal of various Australian scenes and locales, particularly the 1980s St Kilda and small-town Queensland. These passages evoke a sense of place and imagery, providing a welcome respite from the otherwise flat narrative. However, these moments are too few and far between to sustain the reader's interest.
Despite the novel's shortcomings, Forster's experience, knowledge, and love of music and its makers shine through. The nods to music greats and the inclusion of real-life lyrics add a layer of richness to the story. Yet, the overall weight of the novel is that it is not a 'nuts-and-bolts account of making art' as promised, but rather a mixed bag of musical references and flat dialogue.
In conclusion, Songwriters on the Run is a disappointing venture for Forster, who is better known for his contributions to music and memoir writing. While it may appeal to audiophiles and music enthusiasts, the novel as a whole falls short of its potential, leaving readers yearning for a more engaging and emotionally resonant story.
