Book review: Holden Sheppard’s KING OF DIRT

I am always excited by the prospect of reading another offering from Australian author, Holden Sheppard. Having read his first two releases, in INVISIBLE BOYS and THE BRINK, both of which – by Young Adult themed book standards – were raw and no-holds-barred efforts that were emotional rides, I was excited to see where he went with his next novel, KING OF DIRT. And I wasn't disappointed.

KING OF DIRT, is Sheppard’s first novel specifically aimed at an adult – rather than young adult – audience. And it hits hard; like a sledgehammer.

By his own admission, Giacomo ‘Jack’ Brolo, is a mess. Closeted, consumed by self-loathing – as many young gay men still coming to terms with themselves are – his moods swing from passion to self-destruction and everywhere in between.

Working in the construction industry in remote Western Australia, he frequently drinks himself into oblivion, is estranged from his family and friends and is, quite frankly, a difficult character to really like. At least at first.

But then Jack returns to his regional hometown of Geraldton for a family wedding. He hasn’t been back since he fled at the age of eighteen, and his past soon catches up with him.

As it turns out Jack’s Italian family, who are deeply conservative, would prefer he remained in the closet. His teenage fling and outing has permanently damaged his standing with many of his family members. If only he would stay straight . . . then he may be forgiven. A date with a good Italian girl gives them hope, and even Jack seems to fall into the trap for a while, but then he runs into the one guy he ever loved, former schoolmate Xavier – whose rejection spurred him to leave Geraldton in the first place – while at the same time he learns he may have conceived a son with his teenage girlfriend!

If life wasn’t complicated enough already, it just got worse.

So, is Jack doomed to spend his life hiding his real self from his family and everyone around him? Or can he open himself up to the possibility of connection, love and family?

While this book might have been a little more difficult to dive into at first than his earlier YA efforts, I soon found myself not wanting to put it down, as Jack’s life and troubles enveloped him.

In the end I really enjoyed it, as I have all his novels, and now I’m just waiting (im)patiently for his next novel, YEAH THE BOYS (the sequel to INVISIBLE BOYS), which I already have on pre-order ahead of its release next month.

If you like stories that are about real characters and real issues, you will like this guy’s novels.

Book review: Holden Sheppard’s THE BRINK | Fiction

Holden Sheppard’s INVISIBLE BOYS | Pride