Cirrus@Austlit

'Dam Diligent grew up in a city of asphalt where nature struggled to survive, crushed between cracks of metal and pavement. Despite these harsh surroundings, Dam discovered a talent for creativity and innovation. When his parents first gave him a skateboard, for instance, he found the little piece of wood on wheels too small, which is why he thought a limousinesized skateboard would be preferable. Dam Diligent is part one of a series written over fifteen years and encompassing over ninety short stories. Each story exposes the meek foibles of humanity with Dam at the center. The simplicity of day-to-day life, boring to some, only brews invention for Dam as he seeks to expand the minutiae of normal human existence. He dyes his hair strange colors to stand out. He makes up words to keep things interesting. He explores deep, dark caves, but also the world at large. Dam is always inspired and sometimes ridiculous as he clings to the joys of youth and refuses to grow up. His life is one of discovery and escape as he discovers the wonder of being alive and escapes taking himself-or other people-too seriously.' (Publication summary)

'Dam Diligent grew up in a city of asphalt where nature struggled to survive, crushed between cracks of metal and pavement. Despite these harsh surroundings, Dam discovered a talent for creativity and innovation. When his parents first gave him a skateboard, for instance, he found the little piece of wood on wheels too small, which is why he thought a limousine-sized skateboard would be preferable. Dam Diligent is part one of a series written over fifteen years and encompassing over ninety short stories. Each story exposes the meek foibles of humanity with Dam at the center. The simplicity of day-to-day life, boring to some, only brews invention for Dam as he seeks to expand the minutiae of normal human existence. He dyes his hair strange colors to stand out. He makes up words to keep things interesting. He explores deep, dark caves, but also the world at large. Dam is always inspired and sometimes ridiculous as he clings to the joys of youth and refuses to grow up. His life is one of discovery and escape as he discovers the wonder of being alive and escapes taking himself-or other people-too seriously.' (Publication summary)

'At sixty years old, Ian has just recently returned to Australia from three months travel in India. The trip marked the end of a dilapidated tenyear relationship with an old school and family friend. Now, Ian finds himself mesmerized by a face on a computer screen. Her name is Lilly and he's never before seen such a beautiful woman. At that instant, he knows his life has changed. After writing eighty letters back and forth during the course of four months, Ian travels to Shenyang, China, to meet Lilly, a fifty year old masseuses and doctor, in person. As the weeks pass, their love grows despite their language barrier. Ian speaks no Chinese, and Lilly is just learning English. Ian hears Lilly's story of growing up in poverty, and he marvels at the beautiful person she is. Filled with insights to contemporary Chinese polities as well as slices of culture and cuisine, Lilly & Ian shares a love story that began across the miles and took root in Shenyang, China.' (Publication summary)