Philip is a New Zealander, born and raised. The trouble is that no one else in the country will believe him. Although he has travelled widely, he is always compelled to return to the place where he feels least at home. His brother Dan, on the other hand, has no intention of going anywhere. Why leave when everything you hate is here? Meanwhile, Dan's ex-girlfriend Kumiko is drifting like a human yo-yo between Wellington and Christchurch, enrolling in every course she can find (from Physics to Art History to Astral Projection) in an effort to hold onto her student visa. Her father has come to the country, hoping to find her, but like every other character in this collection, he has a problem and a story of his own ...The characters in this funny and astute first book of short stories span genders, generations and identities, yet are all united by a sense of rootlessness. Whether at home or abroad, they are often lost, wandering in and out of each other's lives, never quite coming together. Moving convincingly between differing perspectives, these stories are deftly handled, offering flashes of sharp insight and unexpected humour. This is a unique and fresh voice from an extremely talented new writer, who playfully questions what 'real life' is, and, more importantly, where it can be found.

About the Author

Julian Novitz was born in Christchurch in 1980 and educated at the University of Canterbury, where he studied History and Philosophy. In 2002 he completed an MA in Creative Writing at the Victoria University of Wellington, but managed to lose his degree on the night of his graduation in the Blue Note Kareoke Bar on Cuba Street. If anyone has it could they please contact Random House. A five dollar reward might not be out of the question.