Publisher's Synopsis
Martin Bramble, in his uniquely Australian voice, tells us of his rites of passage in this most personal collection of memories about growing up in the suburbs of Australia. Tales about being different from the other boys who liked sport, being rough as guts, crude and at times delinquents, while he was sensitive, caring, thoughtful and even at times -a big girl's blouse! Martin shares many colourful stories about his life from an imagined golden age of Australia from the late 1950's up till the early 1970's. A vividly surreal, sad, funny emotional rollercoaster account of life in the suburbs with his family, who are real characters: his dad is a blind pensioner; his mum is a real battler who keeps the body and soul of the family together; his elder brothers are like chalk and cheese; and his little sister nearly dies -every now and again- from chronic asthma. A much simpler life dotted with nosy neighbours -wanting to know other people's business; at the same time cruelly hating anything different -especially wogs (foreigners) or gays, and being frightened of change. A time of black metal dunny cans, endlessly boiling water in a laundry copper; followed by the arrival of Hills Rotary Hoists dotting the Aussie horizon, the wireless then black & white Television, and vinyl records. We learn that he was a constant source of derision and vilification during his time at High School. He was spat on and bullied by the other kids -meat pies became playground missiles. Growing up gay is never easy, but growing up in this volatile environment is soul destroying. A truly epic journey about trying to find oneself, and always...to thine own self be true! -on that personal road of discovery.
