Big River, Little Fish

Set in South Australia during the 1956 Murray River flood, Big River, Little Fish tells the story of Tom Downs, a boy trapped between his way of reading the world and the world's way of seeing him. He lives in the town but likes it best down by Old Mother Murray, talking to his best friend, Hannah, and helping the outcasts who live in the shacks on her banks. But there's a big river coming and Tom feels like everything he loves and understands might be swept away and lost. From the moment he was born tail first - the moment of his mother's death - time has held Tom the wrong way round, like he's caught inside a fractured story. But the thing about the river rising, the thing that takes Tom by surprise, is not what Old Mother takes away, but who she brings back. Big River, Little Fish is a compelling tale of a boy growing up into manhood set against the dramatic and beautiful scenery of the Murray River.