PositiveArtsHub (AU)Thompson mines the intricate relationship between place and memory in many of the stories found in Born into This, plumbing intriguing depths ... Thompson inhabits a diverse range of characters ... This strength in form explores a wide array of experiences and emotions relating to identity ... Identity conflict is never presented as a dichotomy, however. Thompson approaches identity in a nuanced and complex manner, and the inner turmoil of his very contemporary characters can’t be reduced to simplistic polarities ... Thompson is good at exploring frustration, pain, simmering resentment and anger ... Even though there is a strong element of social critique throughout the work, this book is about distinct, ordinary and flawed characters and their relationships ... Thompson’s writing is very much rooted in Tasmania, and Tasmanian landscapes and social worlds are strongly present throughout the work. The publisher indicates that this work emerges from the author’s life-long immersion in the social and cultural worlds being depicted, and it offers a compelling glimpse into these worlds.
