Abebi is Texi Smith’s sixth football novel, with his previous five telling the story of the careers of Jarrod Black (Introducing Jarrod Black, Jarrod Black – Hospital Pass, Jarrod Black – Guilty Party, and Jarrod Black – Chasing Pack) and his sister Anna (Anna Black – This Girl Can Play)

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In the About the Author page at the end of the book, Texi Smith is described as, “an active supporter of the Matildas, the Socceroos, Sydney FC and a lifelong fan of Newcastle United, having grownup in the northeast of England.” Additionally an individual who continues to, “referees in a local league, and has also previously coached and managed at club level.”

You might ask, why is that relevant. The answer is a simple one. All that knowledge, experience and genuine love of the beautiful game is used as inspiration, underpinning and clearly coming through in his writing, giving what is despite fiction, authenticity to the book.

Here, Smith uses an oft used device of his, very short chapters (60 in all over 208 pages), to tell the story of a young African girl and her family who flee their homeland to start a new life in Australia. Football though is at the heart of the book as the young Abebi overcomes family tragedy to pursue her sporting dream.

The short chapters keep the storylines moving at a pace, and Smith isn’t afraid despite the brevity of inclusion to touch on subjects such as racism in modern day multi-cultural Australia.

Abebi, links into Smith’s last book, Anna Black – This Girl Can Play, which is a neat little device in extending the imagined world of these books. However, to fully understand the Matildas storyline in Abebi, reading the Anna Black book would be useful.

Overall, though another good addition to the football fiction market celebrating the women’s game.

(Publisher: Fair Play Publishing. October 2024. Paperback: 230 pages)

Buy the book here