I am begging you now to put this book down, and run as fast as you can in the opposite direction. If you are outside of bushfire danger zones you might even like to burn it. I know I would have liked to.Tim Winton is perhaps the most over rated author in the history of mankind, and if it was at all possible I would sue him for publishing this drivel because I believe I died a little inside whilst reading it.Honestly, I found it convoluted, boring and in several parts, quite disturbing. If you can read it and enjoy it, then more power to you. But if you are not being forced by the Western Australian education system, I would recommend you stay far far away.Oh and Mr Winton? A hair cut never hurt anyone.