Robert Forster, the Go-Betweens frontman known for his evocative music writing, has ventured into fiction with Songwriters on the Run, but the result is a disappointing and surprisingly flat novel. Set in 1991 in central Queensland, the book follows musicians Mick Woods and Drew Lovelock as they flee from a correctional facility after being caught with drugs and charged with fraud. The plot, which involves a mysterious cassette tape and a missing manager, promises a comic odyssey but delivers little rhythm or melody in its prose.
The dialogue is plodding and heavy with exposition, lacking the lyrical quality of Forster's songwriting. Passages intended to capture the essence of music-making feel artificial, with one character's musing on songwriting described as sounding 'AI-generated'. Even scenes of drug use and impromptu gigs fail to energise the narrative, leaving the reader sedated rather than engaged.
Forster's strength lies in his depictions of Australian locales, such as St Kilda in the 1980s and small-town Queensland, which are vividly evoked. However, these moments are too sparse to sustain the novel. The constant name-dropping of music references, like Creedence Clearwater Revival, feels forced and fails to compensate for the lack of emotional resonance.
While Forster's knowledge and love of music are evident, the story woven around them is unconvincing. Songwriters on the Run is a rare misstep from an otherwise accomplished writer, leaving fans hoping for a return to form in his next project.
