On the outskirts of an Australian country town in the 1950s, a lonely farmer trains his binoculars on a family of kookaburras that roost in a tree near his house. Harry observes the kookaburras through a year of feast, famine, birth, death, war, romance and song. As Harry watches the birds, his next door neighbour has her own set of binoculars trained on him. Ardent, hard-working Betty has escaped to the country with her two fatherless children. Betty is pleased that her son, Michael, wants to spend time with the gentle farmer next door. But when Harry decides to teach Michael about the opposite sex, perilous boundaries are crossed.

Mateship with Birds is a novel about young lust and mature love. It is a hymn to the rhythm of country life — to vicious birds, virginal cows, adored dogs and ill-used sheep. On one small farm in a vast, ancient landscape, a collection of misfits question the nature of what a family can be.

This is such a gorgeous book. I have read the author's previous debut novel 'Everyman's Scientific Rules for Living' which is an all time favourite and I am wondering as to why I have not picked this up before now. It is a very sensual and primal read detailing the beauty and harsh nature of farm life. I especially liked the sections on bird behaviour. A fine start to my new reading year.


Wishlisted book /Australasian Wishlist Tag Game.

Thanks very much for the tag jeniwren
- looks interesting. :-)

I found this to be a quiet but confident and original novel, which both surprised and delighted me. The excellent writing has a pace and tone which perfectly reflects the times, and the characters (human and non-human) are drawn lovingly. A thoroughly enjoyable read. And I now know much more about Kookaburras too!

Next stop Darwin as a wishlist tag to amberC.

Sending north to amberC as a wishlist tag.

Thanks for tagging me.

Well written with believable characters. A look at life in the country at that time.

To be released in the Nambucca Heads Community Garden Bookcrossing Zone.

Arrived today, releasing to Growing Together Community Garden Centre

enjoy this Australian novel