In the Wet

Set in Queensland, In the Wet tells the story of an old man's dying reflections on a future world, blending reality and dreams.

In In the Wet, the narrative begins during the rainy season in Queensland, where an old man, intoxicated and near death, finds himself in a deserted shack. As he lies dying, his mind drifts between reality and dreams, allowing glimpses into a future world that is both intriguing and starkly different from his own. A priest, who stumbles upon this abandoned shelter, becomes the reluctant listener to the old man's final tale, capturing the essence of both despair and hope in the man's fragmented memories.

The old man's story unfolds as a vivid adventure set decades ahead, painting a picture of a transformed landscape and societal norms. His recollections are interwoven with themes of survival, resilience, and the human spirit's capacity to adapt to change. Despite his current state, the old man’s narrative bursts with life, drawing the priest—and the reader—into a world that challenges their perceptions of time and existence.

In the Wet is not merely a tale of an individual’s last moments, but a reflection on the passage of time, the inevitability of change, and the stories that linger even as life fades. The exploration of this future world serves as a poignant reminder of the adventures that await, regardless of one’s circumstances, making this work a classic from the author known for A Town Like Alice and On the Beach.