Classics with a Message

Carey, Peter.  The Tax Inspector. Scoresby VIC, 2005.

In “The Tax Inspector” Maria Takis, who is pregnant, is sent to audit the accounts of the Catchprice family’s car sales business. The four day inspection reveals more about the lives of the family than accounting records, a past of resentment , child molestation, sexual perversions, discarded ambitions, corruption, violence, deception and illusions. Catchprice Motors represents a microcosm of life not only in Sydney, but of many cities in the world. This gives the novel universal appeal.

At the end of the four days horrific things have happened and the  establishment is in rubble. However, to show that the future can start afresh,  a mother stands in the middle of the rubble holding her new baby. This surrealist novel is witty and written in lyrical style.