Overview

Outback Summer is a spirited coming-of-age romance set in a picturesque country town on the Darling River. It seems like there are gorgeous girls everywhere in this town and Rod Conway has his heart set on getting to know one of them better. But the girl of his dreams seems to elude him. And the town is divided, its unwritten rules and social norms catching the out-of-towner, Rod, off guard, until even his friends turn against him, and, to make matters worse, he is hunted by a mysterious ""Dark Rider"" clad in black leathers and helmet in love with the same girl. Outback Summer is set amongst the mesas and desert plains of Australia's sparsely populated red interior-the hot, dry, rugged Country of Traditional Custodians, stockmen, miners and poets, where mateship is key to survival. Oases are few, but the shade-dappled reaches of the Darling River (Baaka) meandering lazily over its floodplain provide respite in an otherwise tough outback environment. Rod's bond with Country deepens as he learns more from Chief, but will he win the heart of the girl of his dreams as the vast cultural gulf separating them becomes increasingly apparent and their lives are wrenched apart on opposite trajectories.

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9781923330054

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Reviews

A story of a young man in his prime who goes on an eye-opening journey of discovery in outback Australia in the 1970's-meeting new people, listening, learning, observing, forming friendships, and working hard-experiencing disappointment, happiness and a very special love that is non-materialistic. Lacking experience and knowledge of country life, its people and the reality of existence outside his own bubble, his eyes are opened and his horizons broadened as he winds his way through the intertwining relationships he forms with a variety of characters who provoke, expose and awaken his emotions. Without giving too much away, I loved it when the main character, Rod Conway, took all the Indigenous kids playing in the park for a ride on his bike and met them again at a swimming hole, experiencing their view of life. I appreciated the author's ability to reflect compassion and social connection in the main character in this particular part of the story. I was also uplifted when Rod acknowledged First Nations people as equals to non-Indigenous Australians and deserving the same fundamental opportunities in life, and what particularly appealed to me was Rod's will and determination to see the good in everyone even when things got bad. It was a pleasure to accompany Rod on his emotional, physical and spiritual journey as each chapter revealed itself to me. I was pleasantly surprised with the unexpected ending which I thought was a fitting climax to an unforgettable journey. This book reflects so much content that I identify with as a First Nations' man growing up in my community and then venturing out into the big wide world. As a First Nations' man, this novel took me back to a poignant time in my personal history and ignited memories of past experiences that I had lived through as a boy growing up in the 70's. The emotional value of reading 'Outback Summer' for me was very high because it acknowledges and highlights the ignorance of a white Australia that existed in the 1970's and still today continues to fail, recognise and comprehend the struggle of First Nations peoples-our plea for equality in our own country. The novel gives a reflection of an historical outback Australia that many of the younger generation, particularly those living in cities, have not experienced. By reading Outback Summer, I have no doubt they will benefit by getting a realistic insight into a part of that decade around which the novel revolves. Because of its detailed story building, I appreciated its strong characters, and the author's ability to seamlessly connect all the other stories in the novel to the lead protagonist and I highly recommend reading this novel that will end in leaving one with, only good vibrations. For me, this novel is a must-read for any lover of fiction/fact no matter what part of the planet you live on. By Gerry Surha Jiddabal/Mamu/Yidinji Traditional Custodian, Cultural Resource Manager and Artist https: //bluethumb.com.au/gerry-surha/bio

Author Information

Dr Robert R. Coenraads is an artist, explorer and educator who travels the world in search of treasures such as exotic minerals, gemstones and unique cultural experiences which form the basis for his writing.

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