Decision Press Decision Press i(27858694 works by) (Organisation) assertion
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1 y separately published work icon The Minotaur in Yarraville A. E. Cochrane , Northcote : Decision Press , 2024 27858819 2024 single work novel fantasy

'"I didn’t wait another moment but clomped as swiftly as I could over to the shop and barged my way in. Space was made for me at the counter, and, breathing hard, I placed an extensive order for pies and sandwiches and buns and tarts and hot and cold drinks. They put it together pretty quickly, and then I went outside to the car park and, standing in the rain in full view of the serving staff, I started stuffing my face, making a repulsive spectacle of myself. I roared at them as I ate and waved my arms in a horrifying manner; but as soon as I finished, I shuffled off to other streets where I was soon lost again." Myth and history intertwine in this perambulation around one of Melbourne’s post-industrial suburbs to reveal some stark truths about the modern world. The Minotaur in Yarraville is the fourth book in the Streetwise Series.' (Publication summary)
1 y separately published work icon A Small Story of a Hill A. E. Cochrane , Northcote : Decision Press , 2022 27858788 2022 single work novel '"I felt hungry. I felt wolfish and untrustworthy, as if I might do anything. I felt like I was the apocalypse come to town, I felt that good- the first time I'd felt good for ages. I tingled in the groin and there was pride in my step. I felt my disguise as a nobody slipping. My filthy rags were emblems and magnificence, crackling with transforming energy, I felt dangerous, I felt the breeze pick up my stink and waft it- try to resist this, it seemed to say, for I was all animals and the concrete was glad to feel my feet on its back. An unlikely hero in search of love and struggling with delusion embarks on an epic journey from the container terminals of the Part of Melbourne to the winding, flowery paths of the Flagstaff Gardens. Along the way he meets characters who magically bring the streets to life and give him the benefit of their experience or examples of what not to do." -- Back cover.' 

(Publication summary)
1 y separately published work icon Encounters A. E. Cochrane , Northcote : Decision Press , 2021 27858744 2021 single work novel 'An unnamed narrator contemplates suicide by the Yarra River in Docklands when he is interrupted by Matthew Flinders. Flinders complains of being held prisoner in Isle de France and worries that he might be unfaithful to his wife and wreck his marriage. He gives the narrator the task of finding the French captain Nicolas Baudin and asking Baudin to write a letter on his behalf. The narrator reluctantly agrees and next meets William Siddeley, a merchant, and hears the story of his marriage. Next he meets footballer Jim Stynes who gives him some advice, and next Charles Grimes who tells him more about both Flinders and Baudin as well as the story of his own marriage. He next meets James Lorimer who speaks of his ideal Victorian marriage. Next he discovers that real estate agent Frank Hartley has raped his servant. He is appalled and begins to take his search for Baudin more seriously. He meets Henry Bolte who doubts that the rape occurred and John Webb who shifts the blame for it. He meets artist Georgiana McCrae and jeweller Charles Brentani who between them explain the beginnings and implications of the gold rush. With Georgiana's encouragement he resumes the search for Baudin and meets John Batman, David Collins, William Buckley and Richard Bourke who all have stories of loneliness and dissatisfaction, but they are unable to help in the narrator's search and he is about to give up. But he meets Queen Victoria who encourages him to make one last try. He meets Charles La Trobe who tells him the story of the legendary captive white woman of Gippsland, which leaves him very disheartened. He meets Ron Barassi Snr who gives him advice, and he finally finds Nicolas Baudin. It turns out that Baudin has already written the letter Flinders wanted, but it was of no use. The narrator heads back to the water to kill himself, but is distracted by musician Alma Doepel.' 

(Publication summary)
1 y separately published work icon Three Thousand A. E. Cochrane , Northcote : Decision Press , 2020 27858702 2020 single work novel fantasy 'This story occurs over the course of an afternoon and an evening. An unnamed narrator contemplates suicide by drowning himself in the Yarra River, but is approached by Matthew Flinders from Flinders Street who convinces him to walk around the streets instead and talk to people about his problems. The narrator agrees, and in each street he meets the person who the street is named after, such as King William in William Street or Captain John Foxton in Foxton Lane; but most of what they say is not helpful. It emerges that the reason for the narrator's despair is that he is in love with Chloe, a barmaid at Young she pleads with him not to believe accusations that she was cheating at cards; she arranges to meet him at a party, and asks him to send a dress around to her for the occasion. Along the way he develops an idea that if he can find a job as a shepherd, he might be able to take Chloe out of the city, and they could live happily in the peaceful countryside. He also worries about his health and his appearance, contemplates a career in politics, considers how an artist might paint Chloe, and makes several attempts to get something to drink. Chloe fails to arrive at the party, and he learns that she has committed suicide. It is long after dark and his journey around the city is almost complete. He decides that he will kill himself too, so that they will be united as in a pact. But he lacks her decisiveness, and back at the riverside near where he began he falls asleep instead.' 

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