Vinaya's Reviews > Graffiti Moon

I love graffiti. I've been a huge fan of Banksy from the day I first saw a mural on Brick Lane, and I find every one of his pieces stimulating, entertaining and empathetic. (Although the one above is my FAVOURITE!!) There's not too many artists who can manage that. And the point of street art, the reason for its existence, is to connect. Screw the million-dollar canvases in the galleries, street art is a montage of images designed to appeal to every man. So pretty.

So anyway, Graffiti Moon. It's a pretty standard contemporary romance, about a girl and a boy and one special night where they discover each other. Graffiti Moon's appeal lies not in its innovation, but in its ability to evoke the same emotions graffiti does- a dash of nostalgia, a splash of colour, the thrill of the illicit and a stimulation of the senses. Cath Crowley's words are vivid, painting a pretty picture of all those pictures her characters are seeing. I love the idea of Shadow and Poet, of two lost boys painting out their insecurities and their secret selves, putting it out there on a wall- showing themselves without ever really showing themselves.

The book was cute, and funny and satisfying. It was about losing illusions, exploring reality and the tender yet painful journey towards growing up. It was about friendship, and pink vans, and doing the wrong thing, but still finding redemption in the end.

I loved the dynamics between all the characters. Daisy and Dylan were outright adorable, Leo and Jazz provided just the right amount of conflict, and Lucy and Ed were the heart. I also loved the interaction between the three girls, and the boys. The strength of the bond between these very likeable set of friends came across warm and clear.

The writing, the relationships, the chemistry, the conflict- these are the things that Australian YA authors seem to excel at, and Cath Crowley upholds those standards. Whether it's the occassionally-mentioned but very real parents in the story, or the scary-funny bad guy or the slowly-developing romance between two people who had always known each other without ever really seeing the other person, this book takes you on a picturesque, evocative, funny journey into the lives of a bunch of very likeable teenagers. If only more YA was written with the same heart and skill!