A stunning coming-of-age story with a gripping Australian outback setting and a strong and interesting plot. Danny’s life is in turmoil: his older brother has recently died in a freak accident; his sister is pregnant and won’t say who the father is. Danny observes the profound changes in his family and finds refuge in training a camel and introducing the newly arrived girl from England into the ways of the outback. Passionate about the farm and particularly the cattle mustering, Danny captures the danger and excitement of the farm while also observing his family with affection and some confusion. A debut novel to look out for.
Danny Dawson lives in the middle of the Australian outback. His older brother Jonny was killed in an accident last year but no-one ever talks about it.And now it's time for the annual muster. The biggest event of the year on the cattle station, and a time to sort the men from the boys. But this year things will be different: because Jonny's gone and Danny's determined to prove he can fill his brother's shoes; because their fourteen-year-old sister is pregnant; because it's getting hotter and hotter and the rains won't come; because cracks are beginning to show . . .When Danny's mum admits she can't cope, the family hires a housegirl to help out - a wide-eyed English backpacker. She doesn't have a clue what she's let herself in for. And neither do they.
