Shane, Moira and Midge, along with young Zara and Rory, are 'trants' - itinerants roaming the plains north-west of Melbourne in search of disused houses to sleep in, or to strip of heritage fittings when funds are low. When they find their Tree Palace outside Barleyville, things are looking up.
At last, a place in which to settle down. But Zara, fifteen, is pregnant and doesn't want a child. She'd rather a normal life with town boys, not trant life with a baby. Moira decides to step in: she'll look after her grandchild. Then Shane finds himself in trouble with the local cops...Warmly told and witty, Craig Sherborne's second novel is a revelation - an affecting story of family and rural life.
Barbara is an award-winning bookseller who has a special interest in fiction, especially Australian fiction and children’s books for all ages.
Craig Sherborne is a Melbourne writer who has written an award winning novel, poetry, plays and a memoir. Craig’s second novel, Tree Palace, is the story of Shane Whittaker, his girlfriend Moira Duggan and Moira’s children Zara and Rory. They live an itinerant life in country Victoria finding shelter wherever they can. They finally take up residence in an abandoned property and attempt to set up a home. Zara at 15 is pregnant and doesn’t want the baby but Moira is determined that she will bring up her grandchild. Shane gets into trouble with the police and their lives are made far more difficult by their circumstances and their interaction with each other and those they come in contact with. Tree Palace is told with warmth and wit and the plight of a family trying to find a place to live is unsettling and informative.
