Cirrus@Austlit

'At the age of twenty-eight, Hugh Amberbottom decides to go on a 'pilgrimage' to Far North Queensland to seek a 'truer meaning' to his life. He drops everything: the toilet manufacturing company he's inherited, his unwanted fiancee, and his life of partying and corporate responsibility in his home state of Victoria.

'This is a hilarious and at times almost surreal romp of a story in which we share the adventures in the outback of this would-be explorer and accomplished poet. Hugh learns much from the characters he meets, from the Italian-Australian 'bushman' on a break from domestic life to the Aborigines who, though suspicious of this 'white fella walking', share their camp with him.

'The author may have a keen eye for the eccentric in life and in people, and a witty and lively way of describing it, but he also gives us some marvellous descriptions of the local terrain and its flora and fauna. It's enough to tempt you on your own pilgrimage to the wilds of Northern Australia.

'All in all, you are guaranteed a thoroughly enjoyable read in this lighthearted, entertaining, 'feel-good' book.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'In spite of what he might have guessed would be his Melbourne business family's objections, the estranged grandfather of that same Amberbottom clan had willed to be laid to rest exactly beside another man who was as unknown to them as the western Queensland town of Blow Fly Creek. This account, written down by the county Sheriff, reveals what happened on that day and at the wake where the local population could not help but applaud overall that burial decision for some quite terrible reasons that took their sweet time to be explained. Especially because they required precisely the right man for the job of liberating them from the horror of their pitiful existence which is why it is into the grandmother's steady, clever and high society hands that they understandably place their faith.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Like the Indian mahout who, in the severest of weather, might feel compelled to invite his normally reserved and hard-working elephant into the family living room. Albeit free from having food snatched from over their shoulders, the people of the Far North Queensland town of Criterion had existed quite happily at the foot of the Flat Plateau barely mindful of its presence. But after ridiculous realty offers made by some holidaying Victorians saw a brief halt to the original graziers and farmers strict “no spontaneous dancing” policy, the locals began to disregard the white-iced, chocolate cake first sight that was their founding fathers initial impression. In favour of seeing White and Black peaks, not as birthday candles with lighted wicks, but canine teeth and The Flat Plateau as one enormous beastie’s lower jaw. To this day Victorians holiday in Queensland, on this occasion at least some did not return.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'Driven solely by his sense of duty, Hugh Amberbottom embarks upon a voyage as the rostered captain of the week. In pursuit of riches and wealth, he sails through a dust cloud only to emerge into a fabled land and the hands of its hostile tribe. In one day the commander battles all the four seasons and in the classic swashbuckling style reads poetry as a potentially more dangerous storm grows outside before he is forced to explain why his crew should retain their faith when it seems plain that he has brought an incredible curse upon the ship. This witty tale allows us to ascertain not only what makes certain types of Melbourne businessmen go to sea, but also why they are so reluctant to tell their wives the truth simply because rarely do they ever abide by the Friends of Melburnia, Historical Society's idea of a civilised standard.' (Publication summary)