Book review by Thomas Cook

‘It’s not that dad didn’t choose me, or Mum or my sister. He simply didn’t choose life…’ Dirt and Dust is a tumultuous fair dinkum story of circumstances surrounding the suicide of a father narrated by his son Riley and written by his widow Amelia. Readers join the cautious duo as they embark on a 1400km ‘journey’ together on dirt bikes to the tip of Cape York. We are taken on the twists and turns of life, and death, as Amelia and Riley navigate the twists and turns of bumpy tracks, windy rivers and steep slopes on their expedition. The story takes off loudly in first gear, before Riley begins to open up to other adventurers about his dad and his suicide three years earlier. As the trip carries on Riley is counselled by these hard-wearing men and struggles to hear the hard truth. With chapters titled ‘Week-long group therapy for men!’ and ‘Motorbike meditation’ the excursion is much more than simply hopping on motorbikes and reaching a physical end destination landmark. It’s a metaphor to human existence. Riley remembers his dad in certain situations along the way and the trip is like a parable of their lives together as he sheds his old skin for a new, tougher skin. He was just a fresh-faced 18-year-old to begin the journey but by the end of the passage, with the help of mum Amelia, he arrives at the top of Australia, seven days later, a man. Amelia is like a glowing orb for Riley throughout and a friendly companion for the reader in her writing style – both strong, persistent and forever smiling, encouraging and loving. Riley’s sister Jacinta is also beautifully interwoven throughout the story despite her not physically being on the trip. The story is careful yet carefree, written with humour, sadness and a tremendous amount of realisation and growth – a remarkable Aussie adventure in every way. An important read for all men (and women), helping us to understand and better process why we feel the way we do. It asks the question ‘How do you even know when you are depressed?’ As the story comes to an end in last gear, the loudness has vanished and readers are ushered into a peaceful serenity.

$19.95 via ameliaolsen.com.au