What does the title of this book evoke for you? What scenarios might come to mind? Would you feel a sense of protection, or would it inspire wariness? If I told you that the story unfolds during a time when another world war was on the horizon, what would your reaction be? Many might argue that it all comes down to perspective. The fence could serve to protect what lies within from the threats outside, or it could confine and trap those who are meant to be free. But how does this metaphor relate to our protagonist?

Lucy finds herself at a turning point in her life when her relationship with her partner takes a turn for the worse. As she wanders aimlessly, grappling with her troubles, she is suddenly thrust into an unknown world—a barb-wired enclosure—alongside a man she does not know. Compared to the idyllic beachside life she once enjoyed in New South Wales, this new reality seems like a nightmare. But is it really? If her current predicament starkly contrasts with her former dreams, how will she cope? Is there hope for her future? What fate awaits her in the hands of her captor?

This second novel by Jennie Linnane on my reading list is relatively short, with only 99 pages and 7 chapters, yet it encapsulates the same subdued brilliance in storytelling that I have come to admire in this Aussie author. I relished the sophisticated tone and rhythmic flow that her carefully crafted wordplay evoked.

I was not surprised to encounter a few unfamiliar yet intriguing words, such as vacuity, bilious, and offal, scattered throughout the manuscript. The word insuperable initially felt like a puzzle to me, yet it cleverly encapsulated the profound dimensions of uncertainty, angst, desperation, and tribulation that the narrative sought to convey. I quickly moved past any initial impatience at being interrupted by these elevated terms; instead, I felt a growing curiosity and eagerness to enrich my vocabulary from the author’s treasure trove of golden words. On a brighter note, I appreciated the modern conveniences my electronic reader’s embedded dictionary feature provided.

On a quirkier note, I began to suspect that the author was almost too grammatically skilled to be true. However, discovering a singular error on one page reassured me of her authenticity. She wrote, “I would never be able adequately to qualify my respect, admiration, and love for that good nun.” My instinct was that it should read, “I would never be able to adequately qualify my respect…” and not in the order it was presented. Yet, this sentence preceded another describing the nun as an adept English teacher, leading me to believe that this correlation couldn’t be mere coincidence. Thus, I had to restore my initial doubts.

The narrative is more character-driven than plot-intensive, which may not appeal to everyone. However, I found it perfectly fine, as I’ve grown accustomed to the arduous nature of real life. It was even a quick read, allowing me to immerse myself in the characters’ emotional landscapes. Beyond all the assumptions, notions, and realisations, I must say that I’ve encountered another sterling piece of literary work far too soon.

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