Idealism and masochism aren’t always the same thing, but with Gordon Grimes, you get a two-for-one deal. The narrative centres on The Lodge – a ramshackle building overlooking Bluebird beach. Bluebird is a small town with big secrets. The Lodge is home to Gordon’s family: his son, Ben, his god-daughter, Lou … and his ex-wife, Kelly, who cheated on him with his best friend. It’s awkward, but keeping the family together is imperative. Above them all, and directing their lives is Kelly’s step-mother, Leonie, owner of The Lodge. Both The Lodge and Gordon’s life teeter on the edge.

Ben wants to play cricket for Australia, despite having zero talent. Lou and Ben raise money for Gordon, which he refuses to accept. Kelly flaunts her infidelities. Gordon’s parents, Ron and Norma, hold deep secrets, especially around what might’ve happened to Owen, Gordon’s older brother.

The Lodge also has its hangers-on – old surfing friends. They’re annoying, but the older generation is vile, with their casual racism, sexism … any -ism really. It’s all deliberate provocation, trying to shock Gordon into action. You’ll need to stifle your desire to strangle the oldies, as they’re central to the story’s resolution. Gordon is blind to everything apart from The Lodge. Everyone (apart from you, dear reader) knows more of what’s happening in Bluebird than ex-journalist Gordon. There are dodgy property deals, corruption, bullying, drug use and conflict with relatives. Gordon is central to all of this yet also detached.

The novel’s cover is a 60s-style surfing postcard. Both Bluebird and Gordon are stuck in the past. Gordon is like Hamlet: slow to act, but must act to move forward, and allow others to do likewise. This is a huge, powerful novel about the corrosiveness of keeping family secrets.

Reviewed by Bob Moore