[I read this for a mailing list discussion and my comments will get cut'n'pasted here when the discussion begins. Warning, these comments contain spoilers] [on the characters and setting]Hmm, hard to answer since I found it a hard book to read to start with though it got a lot easier by the end....
Dear Shane Maloney. You and Murray Whelan make me happy. Please come to my house for tea and vegan scones. Ange.Dear reader. Shane Maloney is brill. Read him. Not for the crime, not for the politics, but purely for the hilarious turn of phrase which he employs to give life and laughter to his nov...
Shane Maloney and Murray Whelan are both dear to my heart. Too close to reality for comfort. Hilarious portrayal of leftie politics, union agitators and standover tactics. Probably enhances the reading experience if you hail from Melbourne and your idealistic political hopes are already somewhat ...