I’ve just finished reading Cassandra Austin’s novel ‘All Fall Down’. I bought this book out of curiosity and a love of all things ‘outback’. I was also hooked by Rosalie Ham’s (author of ‘The Dressmaker’) quote on the front cover of the book saying ‘Austin writes a captivating story, surprising and intriguing, in prose that’s spare but vivid.’  And she sure was on the money.

Set in a fictional Australian outback town called Mululuk, not far from Coober Pedy, the story revolves around a young girl who comes from Sydney to stay with her uncle, the local priest. The town’s bridge has just collapsed in strange circumstances. Locals respond by offering various and bizarre notions of understanding for the collapse. Re-opening of a new bridge is under threat and the priest does his best to lead the town folk with sensibility.

Characters in this book are unique, feisty and larger than life. Austin takes on a brave write. She stretches the envelope wide open and leaves the reader dangling for air on many occasions. A story written with suspense, honesty and a harsh sense of outback reality. Quirky things happen along the way that keep the reader guessing where the plot is heading and it moves along a hefty pace. A dusty, clever book.