This review from Frank Parker (via Rosie Amber Book Reviews) took me by surprise. I know of Aristotle, but I’d never heard of Theophrastus. Frank’s comparison to this ancient Greek philosopher’s work on human character flaws gave me a whole new way of thinking about Jasper. Read on to discover the connection.
Thank you, Frank for such a thoughtful review, and Rosie for accepting my book. “
Review by Frank Parker for Rosie Amber Book Reviews, September 2025
“It was a pupil of Aristotle, Theophrastus, who produced what must be the first ever book describing ordinary kinds of ineptitude. His Characters set out to describe 30 types of ‘vice’. These were not the sinful kinds of vice, rather they described individuals whose characteristics made it difficult for them to succeed in life. They are, I suppose, stereotypes. I thought about Theophrastus whilst reading The Secret Life of Jasper Scraggs. The eponymous ‘hero’ exhibits several of the traits Theophrastus identified.
He is in a bind, constantly thinking of ways to wriggle out of the unfortunate situation he has manufactured for himself. He knows that sooner or later his secret will be exposed. Better get it over with as soon and as simply as possible. Unable to face the expected consequences of admitting his culpability he can’t do it. Instead he adopts an improbable plan he hopes might mitigate his guilt.
Along the way we also learn of his fear of ending up like his father, an alcoholic who physically abuses his son.
The story is set in Australia and features two couples in their late thirties who have known each other for 15 years. One has four children, the other is trying to come to terms with the end of a long sequence of unsuccessful IVF. When a young, uninhibited and pregnant artist arrives in their neighbourhood the tensions underlying the friendship between the couples are exposed.
All five main characters are well drawn. The events of the year following the young woman’s arrival change them all in ways that are not always predictable. The settings, too, are well described. As readers we really feel the heat and humidity of a New South Wales summer.
The four children are also brought to life, especially the oldest, an adolescent girl who has her own issues with her parentage.
This is a domestic drama dealing with emotions and relationships among people who evidently care deeply about each other. The small amount of violence is low key. I guess there are those who would characterise it as ‘women’s fiction’. I have argued in the past against such pigeon holing. I will simply say that I am a man and I enjoyed its many twists and turns. Easily worth four stars.
