Montebello

By: Robert Drewe

Narrated by: Robert Meldrum

'Listen to me,' my mother says. 'They've let off an atom bomb today. Right here in W.A. Atom bombs worry the blazes out of me, and I want you at home.'

In the sleepy and conservative 1950s, the British began a series of nuclear tests in the Montebello archipelago off the west coast of Australia. Even today, few people know about the three huge atom bombs that were detonated there, but they lodged in the consciousness of the young Robert Drewe and would linger with him for years to come.

In this moving sequel to The Shark Net, and with his characteristic frankness, humour and cinematic imagery, Drewe travels to the Montebellos to visit the territory that has held his imagination since childhood. He soon finds himself overtaken by memories and reflections on his own 'islomania'. In the aftermath of both man-made and natural events that have left a permanent mark on the Australian landscape and psyche—from nuclear tests and the mining boom to shark attacks along the coast—Drewe examines how comfortable and familiar terrain can quickly become a site of danger, and how regeneration and love can emerge from chaos and loss.

©2012 Robert Drewe (P)2013 Bolinda Publishing

Critic reviews

"It switches effortlessly between travel literature, reportage, local history, nature writing and film and literature criticism ... a perfectly integrated work of art. Drewe's literary instincts are as impeccable as his ear for the English language is unfaltering." (The Weekend Australian)

"Superb writing and skillful interweaving of the different strands in this book make it a pleasure to read." (ANZ LitLovers LitBlog)

"[Montebello] has this wonderfully novelistic flow that draws you back to another time." (The West Australian)