Winton has a wonderful way with words and his evocation of the adrenaline rush of surfing at the edge is captivating even to a non-surfer like myself. But this book ploughs far deeper into the darker side of excitement and of thrilling to life by taking risks most would still well clear of. It tells of being swept up, not just by huge and terrifying waves, but by friends, acquaintances and fellow travellers - and perhaps simply by the genetic and social wiring of one's own self and circumst... (show more)

Winton has a wonderful way with words and his evocation of the adrenaline rush of surfing at the edge is captivating even to a non-surfer like myself. But this book ploughs far deeper into the darker side of excitement and of thrilling to life by taking risks most would still well clear of. It tells of being swept up, not just by huge and terrifying waves, but by friends, acquaintances and fellow travellers - and perhaps simply by the genetic and social wiring of one's own self and circumstances. Like blinking points of light at the edge of consiousness the novel ultimately poses questions about how we are shaped, what is appropriate conduct, and to what extent we are responsible for our own lives.

At times this book simply took my breath away! (show less)

Sharp and intelligent, and a man who has learnt much at life's university, a defence lawyer returns to practice following the sudden death of a colleague. One of his cases involves the slaying of a woman and her lover. The accused, our defence lawyer's client, is the rich and powerful husband of the murdered woman. It soon becomes clear that the case is more complex and more personal than first meets the eye and that the death of the lawyer's colleague, and hence his own safety, are someho... (show more)

Sharp and intelligent, and a man who has learnt much at life's university, a defence lawyer returns to practice following the sudden death of a colleague. One of his cases involves the slaying of a woman and her lover. The accused, our defence lawyer's client, is the rich and powerful husband of the murdered woman. It soon becomes clear that the case is more complex and more personal than first meets the eye and that the death of the lawyer's colleague, and hence his own safety, are somehow entwined with the case.

It's a page turner and a good book for reading on a plane. (show less)