Loved this book - crisp writing and beautiful metaphors that fill my idle moments with pleasure as I ponder the other elements of this story in the days after reading. Some humour - often subtle. The characters are absolutely believable and their interaction develops with such empathy. The questions posed are thoughts that so many of us have yet never reach to conclusions. Henri is pivotal to all of the characters though some never met him. The background settings are so clever - a part of a house/building/ city ... like the questions one's mind, never quite complete. A beautifully structured story right to the end. Had to re-read it right away in case I missed anything on the first trip. I do love a book that stays with me as has this one has.

Well written, capturing the atmosphere of a township in crisis in a rock-hard landscape and searing summer heat. Secretiveness is palpable. Human problems - and memories - run deeper than the drought. Characterisation is interesting and varied. Secrets and mystery are 'drip-fed' throughout. Hard to believe that the actual story is told over a couple of weeks following a funeral but reaches back over twenty years. It intrigued me that there was very little to picture about the (fictitious) town, yet evoked images arise of any number of Australian outback locations that could fit!. Stage is set for a sequel!