The novel recounts the experiences of Eli Bell and his family encountered during Eli's teenage years. Eli and his brother Gus live with their mother and her friend, Lyle, both recovering drug addicts. His 'baby sitter' and best friend is Slim who has spent many years in Boggo Road Gaol and is renowned for his many attempts to escape prison. Slim encourages Eli to write to Alex, a prisoner who rarely receives correspondence while serving his term. Gus has stopped talking and communicates by writing in air since their father drove a car into a dam almost drowning his two sons. All in all not the best start in life for two young boys.
Although much of the plot revolves around drug dealing and its drastic affects on family life, this novel is largely involved with relationships, particularly the relationship between Eli and Gus as they strive to survive as well as find a place for themselves in an extremely challenging world. There is danger in the book but there is also hope and the boys often receive often support from unlikely sources.
In some ways this book reminded me of some of the books of Tim Winton as well as Macus Zuzak's recent novel, Bridge of Clay. They are all very Australian and deal with families facing challenging situations. Another excellent Australian novel.
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