The Amateur Science of Love is the first novel by journalist, memoirist, poet and playwright Craig Sherborne. Having published two critically acclaimed memoirs, Sherborne moves into the territory of fiction with this book but it still reads like an intense and personal memoir, only this time of a fictional character. The novel follows the relationship of Colin and Tilda as it moves from their initial passionate frenzy in Europe to their settled life in a Victorian country town. Shortly after they arrive in Australia, circumstance signals the end of their idyllic fantasies and through Colin's eyes we witness their descent into hatred and illness.

The book is essentially Colin's search for the meaning of a love which he seems to have based his entire identity upon. He is a fascinating character but an unlikeable and untrustworthy narrator. The opening page is full of his over-simplified perceptions of the world and it takes a while to warm to his voice. Once you do, however, the precise prose is such a pleasure to read and Colin comes to honest and cutting conclusions about himself.

At times the story reads as a desperate search for validation, at others it is literally addressed 'Dear Honesty Box' (an awkward device) and acts as a confessional. As Colin describes shoving the pages of the manuscript into the ceiling to keep them from Tilda, the story takes on a physical form and reinforces the divisions in their relationship. The reader also becomes an unwilling confidante. Despite this interesting effect, this device causes later problems with intra-narrative time and is the only jarring element in an otherwise gripping work.

There is something incredibly corporeal about this story – you feel it physically. Perhaps this is because Colin's way of experiencing his relationships is primarily physical (some might see this as shallow, bordering on misogynistic at times) and this shapes his writing style. He is preoccupied with his own appearance and body as well as that of others and his mental state quickly reflects itself physically, which he notes and worries about. While Colin is so focused on the physical body, the landscape is totally subsumed by it. He barely sees Europe while he's there – it's all about Tilda and sex and the sickness of love. The Australian countryside is the same – even the people are initially just part of the backdrop. The couple rarely engage with the locals and always seem at a remove. As with everything in this story though, there is a lingering sense of threat in the landscape (as with the body) and problems begin to appear.

The emergence of important women into Colin's life is so vivid and well-lit it's thrilling. You move with him around the space, watching these women. The advances, the retreats, and the little games of flirtation that we all play take on a menacing and predatory air here. In fact there is a sense of menace overshadowing even the funniest and loveliest moments in this book. You read on, despite that sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach, to know how this relationship ends up - how it might be possible for these people to redeem themselves and to learn something. It's hard to put down.

Whilst I'm making this all sound dreadfully harrowing, I want to assure you that it's worth it and it is actually a joy to read. Sherborne touches on so many truths and avoids stereotyping and prescriptive ideas of relationships absolutely. The Amateur Science of Love is carefully written and deeply affecting – an incredible read!

- Hannah Perkins