Long Hot SummerIt is 1936. As they have done every summer, the Hopkins family - Anne, 8, Duncan, 12, Charlie, 5, and their parents, Derek and Lorna - have rented a house at the Beach. Alone during the week, Lorna is bored. When James Clements, the most handsome man in the Bay, decides to make an amateur cowboy film called 'Lust in the Dust', Lorna plays the whore with the heart of gold. James' sister Isabel is the cameraman, and the local Maoris are enrolled as Indians. The film's title proves disturbingly prophetic. Unaccustomed proximity leads to unaccustomed liaisons, allegiances are questioned and the old certainties suddenly melt away. It is the perfect story to display Barbara Anderson's extraordinary gifts. |
From inside the book
Results 1-3 of 90
Page 18
... things shimmer . We start whooping and fooling about in the back till Dad says steady on and drives down . The first thing Mum does when we arrive at the cottage , before she sweeps up mouse droppings or once a dead one , or unpacks ...
... things shimmer . We start whooping and fooling about in the back till Dad says steady on and drives down . The first thing Mum does when we arrive at the cottage , before she sweeps up mouse droppings or once a dead one , or unpacks ...
Page 130
... Things matter to me , things which may seem ludicrous , things which others dismiss without a thought : small flaws , a lack of symmetry . The mess and muddle of other people's lives can keep me awake at night . ' ' How on earth did you ...
... Things matter to me , things which may seem ludicrous , things which others dismiss without a thought : small flaws , a lack of symmetry . The mess and muddle of other people's lives can keep me awake at night . ' ' How on earth did you ...
Page 162
... things about them . Tom has the biggest moustache , Dick's boots squeak , Willy's best at tennis . Things like that , but we're sick of them tonight . " Tennis is Tom , ' says Charlie . ' I thought it was Willy . ' ' Naa , Tom . You ...
... things about them . Tom has the biggest moustache , Dick's boots squeak , Willy's best at tennis . Things like that , but we're sick of them tonight . " Tennis is Tom , ' says Charlie . ' I thought it was Willy . ' ' Naa , Tom . You ...
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
Annie asks bareback beach Bella Bob Jackson Bully Pond calls Charlie's child Clements says Colonel Holdaway comes couch grass course darling door Dr Appleby eyes face feet film girl Girlingstone gives grins hair hand hangi happy Hare Harry head Henare horse Indians Isabel James Clements James's Jean Jeannie jump kids kitchen Laing Laing's Point laughs leap legs looks Lorna Maori Miri Miriama mother never nods pakeha pikelets Pontiac race remember ride river Rongomaha Ropata rouseabout sand says Angus says Bel says Charlie says Derek says Duncan says James says Mrs Clements says Mum Seven Little Australians shakes shouts ski pole smiles smoko stands stare stick stop swim swings talking Tamati tell thank there's things thought tide told tomorrow track truck verandah watch waves What's woman wonder yells