‘When he was in gaol, he’d begun to prepare himself for the fight of his life, a showdown with the policeman, McWilliams … he’d face life with death, and see who blinked first.’
'Blackie and Rips are fresh out of prison when they set off on a road trip back to Wiradjuri country with their mate Carlos. Blackie is out for revenge against the cop who put him in prison on false grounds. He is also craving to reconnect with his grandmother’s country.
'Driven by his hunger for drugs and payback, Blackie reaches dark places of both mystery and beauty as he searches for peace. He is willing to pay for that peace with his own life.
'Part road-movie, part ‘Koori-noir’, Dancing Home announces an original and darkly funny new voice.'
[source: Publisher's website]
Dedication: For my brother Glenn, champion
...and, for all the Invisible people who live in the shadows.
'This novel provides a powerful view of alienation and its consequent positioning of Aboriginal blackness as always other. Whatever the terms of surrender, whiteness dominates and fairness remains an impossible goal. This novel opens with a strong narrative voice, including black jail-style dialogue. The ongoing observations are insightful and humorous, complementing the characterisation. The action and plot emphasise that the novel is the story of outsiders.' (Introduction)
'Dancing Home opens in forthright fashion. The author, Paul Collis, urges readers to ‘[t]ake sides. Be involved in the ideas I’ve written into this book.’ The novel offers an uncompromising examination of some of the injustices faced by Indigenous Australians. The plot focuses on three men – Blackie, Rips, and Carlos – who have embarked on a road trip to Wiradjuri country. Blackie and Rips have recently been released from prison, where they met. Blackie is intent on enacting revenge against Hunter McWilliams, the white police officer who was responsible for his incarceration. Blackie whiled away his prison sentence ‘imagining how he would hurt the cop with every punch he threw’.' (Introduction)
'Dancing Home opens in forthright fashion. The author, Paul Collis, urges readers to ‘[t]ake sides. Be involved in the ideas I’ve written into this book.’ The novel offers an uncompromising examination of some of the injustices faced by Indigenous Australians. The plot focuses on three men – Blackie, Rips, and Carlos – who have embarked on a road trip to Wiradjuri country. Blackie and Rips have recently been released from prison, where they met. Blackie is intent on enacting revenge against Hunter McWilliams, the white police officer who was responsible for his incarceration. Blackie whiled away his prison sentence ‘imagining how he would hurt the cop with every punch he threw’.' (Introduction)
'This novel provides a powerful view of alienation and its consequent positioning of Aboriginal blackness as always other. Whatever the terms of surrender, whiteness dominates and fairness remains an impossible goal. This novel opens with a strong narrative voice, including black jail-style dialogue. The ongoing observations are insightful and humorous, complementing the characterisation. The action and plot emphasise that the novel is the story of outsiders.' (Introduction)
