When you’re not a regular book reader, in fact when you find it a bit of a ‘chore’, it can take an exceptional book to grab (and hold) your attention. PLUM, by the multi-talented author and actor, Brendan Cowell did this for me recently. More importantly for me, it raises important, often confronting long term issues around concussion that need to be addressed but are often discussions conveniently avoided. 

This book, PLUM is about a fictional retired rugby league footballer, Peter Lum, who played for the Cronulla Sharks, who is struggling with life after football. Most prominent is the impact of regular concussions suffered during his career in the 80’s and 90’s, which is literally hanging over his head like a dark cloud. It deals, with sensitivity, the potential long-term effects that concussion may have had on his brain, but also his family and friends. Approaching this from a scientific viewpoint as I do, it’s easy to define the specific issues related to concussion. What’s harder is discussing the deeper emotional impact that long term concussion symptoms can elicit. 

It’s a great work of fiction but it is set in my home, the Sutherland Shire or Sutho as we liked to call it when I was a kid. In fact, most of it takes place in my backyard, with Kurnell Rd, PLUM’s home street, just one street away from the back of my house. The Elephant house church sits just across the road and the 7-11 and seafood shop literally a few hundred metres down the Kingsway.

These are universal topics that could apply to any high impact sport in any part of the globe. 

This book draws you into the journey that many are going through and it will increase your compassion and understanding of the issues that need to be discussed if you find yourself in a similar situation.

Buy yourself a copy today here!