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Our year 12 English class is studying your novel and we were all wondering what the relationship between Uncle Nick and Aunty Jean is. Some of us think that Aunty Jean and Uncle Nick are married however, others believe there is no connection and that Uncle Nick is just Dads Brother. What do you think?

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friendly with Mum - and that she was very kind to George. This makes him a protective over Harry. All my best - Favel
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Hello, our faculty has been discussing George, is he related to the boys?
Love the book have read it 3 times already.

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Hi I'm a year 12 student and our Class is studying your book and we have a lot of questions. Thank you for your time.
Did dad move Uncle Nicks body from the car accident and put him on the boat? did Uncle Nick actually die in the car accident or did he actually die on his boat?
Who is everyones father ? is joe nicks son, is miles nicks son or dads? is harry actually nicks son or  is it just an illusion?
any chance you have a family tree available?

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I have really enjoyed reading your intelligent and well-thought-out questions and comments. Thank you all so much. Your insights are fascinating and you have all given me so much to think about. You guys are all way smarter than me!!! I wish you all the best for the rest of the year. Favel 🤬

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Hi Favel,
Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions. Although the school has a strange tendency to focus on tragedies as literary examples, frankly Past the Shallows was one of the few books I became genuinely interested in.

My question is more regarding the process of writing as a whole. I myself sometimes find it relaxing to project my thoughts and ideas on paper outside of what is issued by school. I would like to know if when beginning to write something, is there a purpose other than telling a story, or is a hidden meaning contained from the very outset?
And what was the case with Past the Shallows in particular?

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Hi Favel,
Thank you for answering our questions. I found Past the Shallows to be an amazing book to read and I really liked Miles because of his strong and stoic personality.

My question is regarding the shark tooth given to Miles from Uncle Nick. For Miles this shark tooth seemed to symbolise courage but this meaning seemed to change when given to Harry, near the climax of the book. Was this supposed to symbolise the blame Dad has for Uncle Nick being passed on to Harry?

Again, thank you so much for answering out questions.

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Hi Favel,

Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions. I had so much fun reading the novel, and felt a whole mix of emotions. I am aware that the novel is inspired by personal experiences and I find that gives the story a beautiful essence. Characters are relatable and I found myself empathizing with each character in some way.

I would like to know more about your intentions when writing Past the Shallows. How did you picture your audience to feel, or react, whilst reading the novel? And were past events, particularly Dad’s abusive actions towards the boys, intended to foreshadow Harry’s death? What effect did you wish to have on the audience through the traumatic loss of the boys' mother, in addition to their father's abusive persona?

Hanna

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Hi Favel,
I really appreciate that you are providing us your time to answer our various questions on Past the Shallows. Your novel was amazing! All throughout the reading I was attached to the lives of Miles and Harry, it felt so real to me… Especially the emotional ending, it kept me up for numerous nights after finishing the book!

My most prominent question lies within the symbolism of the baby shark’s Jeff killed, the 3 baby sharks, 2 dead 1 alive. Were they supposed to symbolise the brothers after Harry’s passing? Also along the  topic of foreshadowing, it seems Harry's fate was foretold early on in the book, was it always your plan for the book to end the way it did?

Once again thank you for your time, looking forward to hearing your response.

Alex

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Hello Favel,
I wanted to thank you for giving us all a chance to ask you some of the burning questions we have after reading your novel. As I read further and further into your book I could find myself relating more and more to the characters.

A question I want to ask you is about your style of writing. Did your style of writing change when you wrote past the shallows? And also if it weren't for your interest in surfing could you have written this novel with the same amount of impact it has? And I was also curious about the development of your characters. How did you create these characters? I understand that some of your characters are based of real people like your younger brother and harry, but were any fictitious or were they all inspired from ?

I want to thank you again for taking the time to do this and I look forward to your reply.

From,
Freu

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Hi Favel,
Thank you for taking time out of your busy life to answer our questions. Although it's not the type of book I would usually read and it was quite depressing throughout, I still enjoyed the book after I started analyzing and understanding the ideas within.

I was wondering why you chose the southern coast of Tasmania to describe a setting of isolation and hopelessness. Despite the southern coast of Tasmania being so far away from the mainland, Tasmania is still a part of Australia and considered a first-world country. There are other even more isolated places in the world that are considered third-world countries.

Thank you

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Hi Favel,

Thank you so much for providing time to answer our questions. Your book kept me at the edge of my seat and made me react with strong emotions I never expected I would feel. As someone who usually keeps away from such heartbreaking novels, I was still intrigued and moved with both distraught and content emotions.

Throughout the novel, I was especially curious about the shark pups that came from the mako. Did they symbolize anything like the three boys themselves and the harsh reality they were placed in?
Also, what made you decide to write this novel and what inspired George's character?
Lastly, which character did you feel for the most while writing this novel?

Thank you!

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Hi Favel,

Thank you for taking time out of your day to respond and answer our questions! I’d first like to say I greatly enjoyed the book and was not able to to get the tragic ending out of my head!

I was just wondering where you drew inspiration from to create each individual character. I understand that Harry was inspired from your younger brother but was wondering about the other characters? Did you see yourself or someone else you know in any of the characters?
Thanks for your time!

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Hello Favel,

Thank you for answering our questions. I really enjoyed your novel. I was wondering what your motivation behind writing the book was? Are the characters based off anyone?
Thanks

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Hi Favel,
Thanks for taking the time to answer our questions. I found Past The Shallows a beautifully written gut -wrenching, shocking, and captivating experience. It will be great if you could tell us which authors/books inspired you the most as a writer?

Thanks
Aryan

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Hi Favel,

I really enjoyed reading your novel and it’s a great opportunity and privilege to ask the author questions about the book were analysing in class. I have a question about the book that maybe you can answer.

I was intrigued by the brotherly bond Harry and Miles possessed. They were always looking out for each other and keeping one another safe. In saying that I felt a little anger towards the oldest brother Joe thinking he could have done more to protect Harry and Miles as he knew the situation they were in and was old enough to keep them safe from their fathers wrath. Which leads me to my question of why you chose to characterise Joe in that particular way.

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Hi Favel,
I really appreciate you taking the time to respond to my questions, despite your busy schedule!
I found your novel particularly captivating, which is hard for me because I struggle to find books that I actually want to finish.
My only confusion was where George went when Harry couldn't find him at his house, wanting to give him the tea. I couldn't connect the dots as to why he left and was wondering what your intended purpose was for that part of the chapter.
Thanks again!
Chantelle

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Hi Favel,
First of all I would like to thank you for taking the time to answer  the questions that we have for you. To me past the shallows was a very touching novel which sparked many emotions. I would like to know whether Uncle Nick was Harry's biological father. Also what your inspiration behind writing the book was.
Thanks
Nick

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Hello Favel,
Firstly, thank you so much for taking your time and effort to read through our questions and reply. Past the Shallows is one of the most beautiful and both heartbreaking books I've read. I was attracted to the book because of the evocative style and the description of the settings. I also really liked how you revealed parts of the backstory as the main plot progressed instead of revealing all of it at once. One of the questions I have is regarding Aunty Jean; Did she know about the relationship between her husband and her sister?

Looking forward to your response,
Thank you

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Hey Favel,

Thanks for taking the time to listen to and answer our questions. I was wondering more about the backstories of the characters especially Dad. The major questions I had were what happened to Dad as he was never found after the death of Harry and how Dad was involved in Mum and Uncle Nick’s car crash. I was also wondering about George’s disappearances after the boys stay there and how he never interjects with the Harry and Mile’s lives even though he knows about the tough situation they’re in. Once again thank you very much, I absolutely loved the book and I find it very hard to find books I enjoy reading.

Cheers, Joe

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Hi Favel!
just wanted to say that i really loved the book and appreciate the time your taking to answer our questions! I was wondering about you're use of repeated shark symbols such as the shark tooth and egg and what that symbolizes for you.
In addition, i was also shocked by the ending and quite sad, why did you chose to have the emotional response from the reader rather than end with a happier or lighter event?
George Fuller was one of my favourite characters and i noticed in the book that he seemed to know Harry when Harry did not know him. What was the relationship between Harry family and George? i assumed that he was friends with Harry's grandfather?

Thank you so much for your time and interest in my questions! :)
Kiera

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Hi Favel,
I greatly appreciate this opportunity you have provided our class by answering some of the questions we have about your wonderful novel!

I have a few questions about the book myself. Firstly, I am curious as to why you chose to write this novel? Was the story meaningful or representative to your childhood? I found it a very captivating novel, which took me on a roller coaster of emotions, I was easily able to sympathise with the boys, and became very attached to the book.

I was also aware that the reader was never told whether or not Dad caused the car accident which killed Mum? To me it seemed implied, but at the same time I wonder what his incentive would be, other than his jealousy towards uncle Nick and Mum's relationship. Also did Dad remove uncle Nick from the car? If so, what did he do with his body?

Thank you for your time,
Olivia

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Hey Favel,
Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to contact us regarding your novel. I am immensely grateful for this opportunity; your novel was riveting. Every time I picked it up I just couldn't put it down! I was particularly confused with my own response to dad. I felt resentful towards the way he treated Harry yet sympathised for the sad reality that was his life. Was this the intended response for the reader, or was there any other response you expected for the reader?

I was also curious about the lilies at the scene of the accident also seen on George's dining table. This, to me means that George visits the site and taking the flowers in commemoration of their friendship. I also interpreted this as a sign of peace. What is your take on this?

Lastly, one quick question. Would you agree that dad's boat was a symbol of his emotional state? Being old, been through a lot and constantly needing tending to.
Thank you again!
Regards Hayley

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Hello Favel,
Thank you for taking the time to read and answer all our questions, it means so much!! I really fell in love with your novel Past the Shallows, I was left on a roller coaster of emotions reading about each of them and their lives on the coast of Tasmania. One thing that was left on my mind even after finishing the novel was whether Joe was really the dad's son. In the book I recall the father yelling at Joe, "You're just like him!", leaving me to wonder who this "him" was. Joe hated the father so much that he left his brothers even though he knew they would be abused. Was this possibly because Joe knew that the father wasn't his actual father? Or simply because he was just done with putting up with his father?
I look forward to reading your answer!!
Thank you,
Jenny

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Hi Favel,

Thank you so much for this opportunity of offering to answer our questions about your book Past the Shallows, it truly blew me away how connected I felt to the characters and the strong personalities you formed in each and every one of them. I honestly found the book so hard to put down, I finished it in 2 days! One character relationship in particular that constantly had my attention was Harry and George, their bond was so unique and pure. It also made me weak at the knees how George was that escape for Harry, he went there to get away and forget about his abusive environment back home. Although I found myself constantly asking, Who was George to the family?

Another relationship that completely amazed me was Miles and Harry, they were so strong for what they faced daily. Harry until the end put up with his dads neglect with the support of Miles constantly by his side. Was their Dad just paranoid that Harry was uncle Nicks or was it true?

Looking forward to hearing your answers!

Thank you,

Lola

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Hi Favel!

I’d like to begin by expressing just how much I enjoyed reading Past the Shallows – I was absolutely enthralled by every single character and felt so moved by each of their actions. I especially related to the three brothers and found myself so deeply invested in learning more about their dynamic relationship as a trio. Something that I found particularly interesting was the stark contrast in how Miles and Joe approached responsibility. As the eldest, Joe was expected to take care of Miles and Harry but eventually left them in their father’s “care” while he moved out with Grandad. This left me feeling conflicted as I wanted him to protect his brothers but also himself at the same time. In what ways do you think Joe’s departure effected Miles and Harry? Is it possible that Joe leaving may have motivated Miles to stay and protect Harry? Miles could have easily fled, leaving Harry subject to his father’s abuse, so why is it that he stayed? Looking forward to your answer!

Thank you,

Melony :)

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Hi Favel
Thank you again so much for offering to chat (digitally...the wonders of technology!) with my students about your novel, Past the Shallows. We are all extremely grateful for this opportunity and really appreciate you taking the time to respond to our questions and comments.
I have so many questions for you but I will restrict myself to just a few. I have never felt so close and connected to the characters in a novel like I did to Miles and Harry -  Miles particularly because of his unrelenting sweetness. I know you drew inspiration for the character of Harry from your brother. But what about Miles? How long did it take you to let them go, if at all? They felt so real to me - I wanted so much for them to be happy. I had to keep telling myself that it was juuust a story so that I could cope!
Thank you.
Jane