In Swerve by Phillip Gwynne, the main character, Hugh Twycross, makes a significant journey in the form of a road trip with his grandfather, Poppy. The two of them share interests, especially for muscle cars. There are several integral themes in this story. One is the importance of family. As Hugh travels with his grandfather, he realizes that his parents support him despite the way he feels they try to control him. As he matures, he will see this as parental love and not oppression. He also realizes that it’s vital to know about your family’s past.

Another theme that is connected to this one is the idea of coming of age. The journey motif is a good way for the reader to see how Hugh grows and changes on the road trip. The risks Hugh takes are necessary for his growth. Another theme is the significance of place. Although Hugh may not realize how strong of an effect the landscape can have on a person, he begins to get an idea on this trip. He is amazed at some of the things he sees out in the world beyond Sydney. These are some of the key themes in Swerve.