What is Kiss of the King Brown?

Kiss of the King Brown

John Condliffe

Synopsis

 Sean Buttenberg a 12 year old outsider in the riverine twin town of Koonarook –Caladonia. After he is nearly killed by a sudden storm and mysteriously marked by lightning. His recovery leads him on a journey of discovery of the river land and its people, and animals of his own p-lace within his family and school life and 1950s regional Australian society.

The fear, prejudice and drama are palpable as the characters-friends and foes, young and old, settlers and original inhabitants- move through interwoven drama and adventure-misadventure.

The story is centered on Sean but is filled with colorful characters:  Joseph Wirinum , the Aboriginal Gooweera or holy man, who teaches Sean the traditional ways and stories; Jim Buttenberg, Sean’s dad and returned war veteran, who has seen too much of war; Nurse Harradine, the young nurse who awakens the coming man inside the boy; and Sister Hildegard Head Sister of Sean’s school. The world of small town Australia comes to life with gun shearers, war heroes, old time cops, local magnates, nuns, bullies and school friends.

Sean leads a battle between environmental destruction and progress as the locals try to turn the local Swamp into a caravan park. With the result that his family and friends are ostracized, pressured and threatened.

 As the struggle reaches its climax, relationships are tried, tested and forged into stronger creations in this crucible of prejudice and ignorance. Sean fights for this special place that he has come to love and of which he becomes a part.

Sean’s story is a gripping good read.