This is a very readable and well-written book, dealing with areas that made me uncomfortable. Confronting unfamiliar and unpleasant areas is good; I will not cite

details as this would give the plot away to some extent. The story is about Shaun, age 11, whose parents are killed in a bushfire. Shaun then goes to live with his aunt in Melbourne, a great change from his former bush home.

The characters are realistic and draw one in as they and their situations evolve. However, for a book purportedly about Shaun he is not present much. Up to page 141 when he arrives in Melbourne. Shaun is on just 12 pages, and then appears intermittently. Whilst Shaun is a central character, he is not quite central enough for my liking. To this extent the book lacks the focus of a book with a central character or a small number of central characters.

There are several interesting plot lines, some amusing, some sad, some sordid. The book is not for children. The direction defies prediction, very much like life - a good way to write. There is great contrast between the gentle bush and harsh aspects of the city. The reality is engaging.

The pace is quite slow, which gives time to dwell on the characters. There are some beautiful evocative word pictures of people and places. I can closely identify with the descriptions of the bush.