Just finished reading Sean McMullen's Before the Storm, published by Ford Street in 2007. This is an excellent, witty time travel novel, set in 1901 Melbourne. It's a young adult, and it certainly made this adult feel young.

Two young soldiers from the 21st century, BC and Fox, arrive in Melbourne shortly before the opening of the new Australian Parliament - to save it from being bombed, and thereby avert a century long war.

Through thoroughly credible circumstances they meet up with and gain the support of Emily and Daniel, and their friends Barry the Bagman and Muriel, an aspiring artist. Together they try to hunt down possible German spies who are trying to spark the war.

While the brisk plot keeps the story merrily on its way, the real strength of the novel is McMullen's superbly written characters and social comedy. For example, Muriel says to Lenoir, the Battle Commander from the 21st century:

"You don't really like fighting and killing, do you?"

To which the reply is:

"Fighting and killing are like wiping one's bottom. You have to do it from time to time, so you must learn to do it properly or things could become very unpleasant. On the other hand, there are more important things in life than fighting, killing and bottoms."

The sequel, Changing Yesterday, was published last year, and I am looking forward to reading it.