Blueprints for a Barbed-Wire Canoe, Wayne Macauley's first novel, is a bitingly darkish tackle the good Australian dream. Fable-like, without problems readable and finally relocating, it exhibits us the intensity of Macauley's talent.

Bram and his fellow citizens are drawn by way of a dream: the promise of a highway resulting in a brand new suburb north of town. the homes are equipped, however the highway by no means comes. one after the other, the dreamers go away, till just a small, hardcore crew is left, together with Bram, One-eyed Michael, and Michael's self-possessed daughter Jodie. because the disused homes disintegrate round them they barricade themselves in. they've got a gun, a bulldozer, and a hellbent choice to stick until the top, no matter what, at any time when, that's. however the specialists produce other ideas.

Wayne Macauley is a Melbourne author. he's the writer of 3 hugely acclaimed novels, Blueprints for a Barbed-Wire Canoe, Caravan Story and The Cook.

'Wayne Macauley has the soul of a poet and his surreal novella is stunningly written...It is a satire of beautiful poise and confidence...If extra Australian literature was once of this calibre, we might be laughing.' Age

'[It used to be] like falling right into a bale of barbed twine at midnight and battling to get out until morning. The extra I struggled, the extra it acquired below my skin.' Bulletin

'A salutary fantasy concerning the horrors waiting for our disaffected sleek citizenry...lasting visible photographs and resonant symbolism.' Sydney Morning Herald

'Bewitching...ethereal...hallucinatory...In an period whilst many Australian novelists are taking part in it safe...Wayne Macauley is an formidable expertise worthy watching.' Wet Ink

'Tapping the hidden middle of a distinct Australia...this is unique Australian writing at its best.' Courier Mail