'Powerful semi-autobiographical novel set in the heart of the Northern Territory telling the story of the author's quest to find out about Australia and himself the secret to which he feels is held by the Aboriginal people with whom he immerses himself.' (Publication summary)
Epigraph:
Give me water, give me fire/ don't give me monuments to stone - Kev Carmody, from Eulogy (for a Black Person), reprinted by permission of Larrikin Music Publishing.
'You know what your problem is?'/ 'What's that?'/ 'You've been with blackfellas too long.'/ 'That's not a problem.'/ 'Yeah but -- you run a big truck.' - Clayton's advice, the losers' bar, Petersham Inn, Sydney.