Joel and Craggs are in it together. They drink booze together, they flirt with petty theft together and, when Craggs turns violent, they face the consequences together too.
That’s until Joel’s dad makes a deal with the police. Craggs is off to juvenile detention and Joel to solitary confinement.
Ninety days of fending for himself in a remote bush shack with no music, no mobile, no mates. Miles from anywhere, Joel starts to like his own company, till one day the past tracks him down. Craggs is on his doorstep and he hasn’t changed a bit.
Reviews
‘Loyalty is the theme of this excellent first novel, which delicately treads the minefield of adolescence gone wrong. Deb Fitzpatrick skillfully renders the ripple effect when a 15-year-old gets into the wrong company and enjoys it. […] [This novel] is freighted with fine writing and insights into human nature.’
—The Weekend Australian
‘Joel is utterly believable and has a compelling voice.’
— Reading Time
‘90 Packets of Instant Noodles, the basis of a diet of sorts, is more than simply an insight into the teenage Australian male. In this understated version of a familiar story, Deb Fitzpatrick has eschewed the melodrama and sharpened its sense of portent. […] 90 Packets of Instant Noodles should become an important work in contemporary Australian young adult fiction.’
—Junior Bookseller + Publisher
‘[…] This novel invites you to think about loyalty versus autonomy, going with the crowd versus making a moral stand, and what makes a good life—all without being heavy-handed, clichéd or preachy. Fitzpatrick is a writer to watch. Highly recommended for readers 14-plus.’
—The West Australian
‘There is […] an honesty about the voice that all readers will find compelling. Joel’s introspection, depression and self-doubt are movingly conveyed and his journey towards self-acceptance is neither straightforward nor easy. […] The realistic plot, excellent characterisation and development of relationships make this novel a worthwhile read for older teenagers.’
—Magpies
