AustLit

'A heartwarming queer Indigenous Own Voices love story, from a startlingly talented debut author.

'Seventeen-year-old Jackson is living with his family on the Mish (former Aboriginal mission), hanging out with his mates, having problems with his girlfriend, teasing the tourists, and avoiding the racist boys in town. Jackson’s Aunty and cousins are visiting from the city for the summer holidays again. And this time Tomas, a mysterious boy, has come with them. While his mum and Aunty try to finish artwork, Jackson and Tomas grow close. As their friendship evolves, Jackson struggles with the changing shape of their relationship, self-acceptance and identity, and whether he’ll still be accepted by friends, family, and his Aboriginal community.

'Compelling, honest and beautifully written, The Boy from the Mish is a first novel like no other.' (Publication summary)

'Billy Harlen is a typical teenage boy who sees the world differently from other people. He sees people as caterpillars and butterflies. He sees caterpillars that go through life day-by-day, avoiding the spotlight, ignoring their special inner qualities, being a different person to who they really want to be. He sees the butterflies going through life happily, expressing themselves through their beauty and comfortable personalities. Billy sees people without any cares in the world strolling through life as if there is no such thing as a ’problem’. Billy sees their smiles, he hears their laughter and he can read the happiness on their faces. Billy sees the bad things in life more than the good. He comes from a disjointed home, broken down by life’s unexpected occurrences. He is part of a large friendship group of boys but he can’t stand them. He is hopelessly in love with a girl who has him in the friend zone. The only person who understands the real Billy is his brother Roy, but Roy is on the other side of the world.' (Source: Publisher's blurb)