Ghost River

Author: Tony Birch  Publisher: UQP, 2015  Pages: 294

Inspired by his own Melbourne childhood, Birch takes us to the slums of Collingwood in the summer of 1968 to tell the story of two very different 13-year-old boys, Charlie “Ren” Renwick and his neighbour Sonny Brewer. The boys become friends while living on the margins of society, spending their time swimming and diving into the polluted Yarra River or hanging around its banks and periphery with the river men: homeless alcoholics who camp behind the factories of Fitzroy. Resilient and fearless Sonny yearns to escape poverty and his violent father. Ren, lacking in confidence, likes to visit the library and research birds. But change is afoot: the developers are moving in to build a freeway and the area will be changed forever. What will come of the river and the stories told on its banks?

This is a compelling story, both gripping and haunting and told with a voice that is true, authentic - sometimes gritty. It deals with themes around loss of innocence, but offers hope in a bleak landscape.

Tony Birch is the author of Blood, which was shortlisted for the Miles-Franklin Award in 2012.

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