THE CRITICALLY-ACCLAIMED DEBUT NOVEL FROM WILLIAM J. BYRNE
THE WARRUMBAR
On the day man first walks on the moon thirteen-year-old Robbie Brennan meets Moses, an old man camped by the side of the road. Over the following months, Robbie is drawn to Moses’ stories — tales of hardship, war, and redemption — unearthing a past entwined with his own. When Robbie learns that Moses grew up at the Mission, the Aboriginal reserve that once existed on the outskirts of town, with his mother Delsie, Robbie’s understanding of his family’s history and identity is forever changed.
PRAISE FOR THE WARRUMBAR
The Warrumbar reveals a powerful new voice in literature. William J. Byrne has a strong grasp of the nuances of storytelling.
Julie Janson, Australian Book Review
The fast-paced drama, enhanced by a powerful psychological undercurrent, makes for riveting reading. Through the rippling silence of secrets, Byrne creates a visceral haunting that creeps into tranquil landscapes and the happiest of times. His portrayal of human fragility is exquisite, as is his ability to write multifaceted characters.
Monique Grbec, The Saturday Paper
A tender, powerful novel about truth and the courage it demands.
Cheryl Akle, The Weekend Australian
A compelling story of a young boy on the fringes of his community.
Rod McLary, Queensland Reviewers Collective
As debut novels go, I thought this book “pretty bloody good".
Frank Thompson, Ballarat Writers
Byrne has created a quiet and thoughtful novel, exploring the tentativeness of the relationship between the boy and his father, and between the boy and the elderly relative.
Helen Eddy, ReadPlus