Breath
Breath
Book Brief
215
Novel • Fiction
Western Australia • 1970s
2008
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
In the 1970s, young Bruce “Pikelet” Pike, in Sawyer, Western Australia, forms a complicated friendship with risk-taking Ivan “Loonie” Loon and meets an influential older couple, Sando and Eva Sanderson, through surfing adventures. Pikelet navigates thrill-seeking, evolving relationships, and significant life challenges as he comes of age, leading to lifelong reflections on those formative experiences and their lasting impacts. The novel contains depictions of suicide, risky sexual behavior, and substance abuse.
Contemplative
Melancholic
Adventurous
Nostalgic
Bittersweet
Reviews & Readership
26,267 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Tim Winton's Breath is lauded for its lyrical prose and vivid portrayal of Australia's coastal landscape, capturing the exhilarating yet dangerous allure of surfing. Critics praise its coming-of-age narrative for its emotional depth and authenticity. However, some find the pacing uneven and certain plot elements predictable. Overall, it's a compelling exploration of risk, identity, and the natural world.
Who Should Read Breath?
Readers who enjoy thrilling, introspective novels with rich, atmospheric settings and character-driven plots will relish Tim Winton's Breath. Fans of Herman Melville's Moby-Dick or Jack London's The Call of the Wild will appreciate its exploration of man's relationship with nature, as well as its vivid depiction of the coming-of-age experience amidst the surfing culture of Australia.
26,267 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Breath by Tim Winton won the 2009 Miles Franklin Award, one of Australia's most prestigious literary awards, highlighting the novel's significant cultural impact.
The novel was adapted into a film in 2017, directed by Simon Baker, who also starred in the movie, bringing Winton's vivid portrayal of surfing culture to the screen.
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Tim Winton is an acclaimed Australian author known for his evocative descriptions of the Australian landscape, which are prominently showcased in Breath.
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215
Novel • Fiction
Western Australia • 1970s
2008
Adult
18+ years
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