Dirt Music

Dirt Music is a novel by Tim Winton published in 2001. Set in locations in Western Australia it is a study of three characters who have had a complicated past and are trying to readapt their lives. As with most of Tim Winton's books the setting where the action takes place is an important feature of the novel.

Georgie Jutland has been living in White Point with a local, well to do, fisherman, Jim Buckridge, whose family has a reputation in the community's past. Georgie feels that she doesn't belong until she meets a local poacher, Lu Fox, who was a local musician until his family members died in a car accident. He now lives alone keeping away from the local community.The relationship between Georgie and Lu grows with Georgie considering leaving Jim to live with Lu. Then Lu disappears up north. 

Meanwhile we learn more about the former lives of Georgie and Jim and how they deal with memories of the past. Eventually Jim decides that he and Georgie should head to northern West Australia to locate Lu who retired to a small island where he is trying to survive. 

Dirt Music is about people attempting to gain redemption from past events and deciding on possible changes that may shape their future lives and relationships.

Dirt Music was a 2002 Man Booker Prize shortlisted novel and winner of the 2002 Miles Franklin Award. It was a film in 2019.