When a man dressed in a gorilla suit wins the City to Surf long-distance run in Sydney, the nation is intrigued. How could an unknown athlete, encumbered by a preposterously hot and heavy disguise, outstrip some of the world's fastest runners, and why did he disappear so mysteriously afterwards.
It's not a conundrum that much bothers Adam Hock, Yarrawongamullee's finest entrepreneur and indomitable promotor of tourism in the forgotten towns of Knocklofty, Crooked Corner and Ballymeaner. What with the pressures of organising the High School Class of '61 Reunion and welcoming home from America the area's most famous son, Grammy Award-winning country and western singer Dud Leahy, Ad Hock has more than enough on his plate. Yet when Detective Harley Christian follows the gorilla's footsteps right back to the heart of the Irish New Country, Ad is forced to concede that even the best-laid plans can go awry . . .
With a cast including local firefighter World Wide Webb, nonagenarian brothers Joe and Pat MacPeatrick, a crazed potter, a very confused teenager and a kangaroo sporting Versace sunglasses, David Foster's new novel is a hilarious and insightful look at life in Australia's moribund wool country, as the old way of life clashes with the new.
Winner of the 1997 Miles Franklin Literary Award
