The Ottoman Motel

Shortlisted, Commonwealth Book Prize and the Queensland Literary Award 2012When Simon and his parents arrive in the small town of Reception and check in to the Ottoman Motel, things between them are tense but normal. Then, while Simon is asleep, his mother and father disappear. Are they lost? Has something terrible happened to them? Have they simply driven away and left him? All Simon knows is that he is alone in a strange town. Madaline, the local police constable, is kind. Ned Gale and his kids give Simon a place to stay. In the bar down at the Ottoman, Jack Tarden and the other locals are sympathetic. But why does it seem as if no one is trying to find Simon's parents? More than just an intriguing mystery, The Ottoman Motel is a novel about fear and loss, and human fallibility. With this assured, emotionally sophisticated debut, Christopher Currie proves himself to be one of the brightest young novelists in Australia. 'Disturbing and...