Old Cockatoo


Fiction - Western
284 Pages
Reviewed on 08/17/2022
Buy on Amazon

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    Book Review

Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite

Old Cockatoo by C.J. Cronin is a gripping drama novel that follows the lives of an Australian family of horse trainers in the early 1910s. Former British Heavyweight Boxing Champion Joe McCallister's life didn't quite turn out the way he thought it would. Fuelled by bouts of rage and hallucinations, he goes on a murder spree that lands him in prison for three years. His wife Anna is duty-bound to wait for her toxic husband even though she has feelings for another man. Meanwhile, Joe's eldest son Melleney's only wish is to one day be strong enough to beat his father and remove him from their lives. Melleney leaves home to join an underground boxing troupe and has a violent confrontation with his father upon his return. But can the McCallister boys ever get themselves out from under their father's enormous shadow?

Old Cockatoo is a captivating story about regrets, lost loves, and forgiveness. Infused with tragedy, action, and romance, author C.J. Cronin's narrative makes it hard to put the book down, and don't be surprised if you read it in one go. The characters are layered, with inner conflicts and backstories that make for well-rounded and dynamic personalities you find thoroughly compelling to read. Joe, Anna, Melleney, and David all have their own struggles and dreams, which makes it easy to sympathize with their plights even with their prominent flaws. Joe is a repulsive individual, but by the end, you can't help pitying him. The bittersweet climax somehow makes the ending all the more satisfying. Highly recommended.