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Dirt Music

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2001

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Book Brief

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Tim Winton

Dirt Music

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2001
Book Details
Pages

465

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Western Australia • 2000s

Publication Year

2001

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

Dirt Music by Tim Winton follows Georgie Jutland, who, dissatisfied with her life and relationship with Jim Buckridge, begins an affair with Luther Fox, an outcast illegal fisherman. Their relationship forces them to confront their pasts and grapple with their desires for escape and renewal. Luther retreats to a remote island, while Georgie and Jim embark on a journey to find him, resulting in a dramatic and life-altering reunion. The novel includes instances of violence, self-harm, and death by suicide.

Melancholic

Mysterious

Contemplative

Bittersweet

Emotional

Reviews & Readership

4.0

15,897 ratings

70%

Loved it

23%

Mixed feelings

8%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Tim Winton's Dirt Music is lauded for its evocative prose and richly drawn Australian landscape, capturing the gritty essence of rural life. Its compelling characters and emotional depth draw readers in, though some critics find the pacing uneven and the plot occasionally meandering. Despite this, it remains a poignant study of redemption and the human spirit.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Dirt Music?

Readers who appreciate Dirt Music by Tim Winton are typically drawn to evocative, character-driven narratives set against rugged landscapes. Fans of novels like The Road by Cormac McCarthy and Cloudstreet, also by Winton, will find the novel's exploration of personal redemption and environmental beauty compelling.

4.0

15,897 ratings

70%

Loved it

23%

Mixed feelings

8%

Not a fan

Character List

Georgiana "Georgie" Jutland

A former oncology nurse and caretaker for her estranged spouse and two stepsons, who struggles with insomnia and alcohol misuse while feeling trapped in a loveless home in White Point.

A solitary and sensitive illegal fisherman in White Point whose life is marked by deep loss, and who is known for his love of poetry and music.

A respected but emotionally guarded fisherman in White Point and widower who grapples with past guilt and familial legacies.

The rough-around-the-edges owner of the town's gas station and junkyard, known for his secretive past and complicated relationship with the townspeople.

A former social worker and current volunteer ambulance driver in White Point, whose family is intertwined with the local sea-based lifestyle.

A resident of White Point known for taking drastic measures to protect the town's reputation and his family's interests.

A local resident of White Point who harbors prejudices and shares responsibility for spreading town rumors.

Lu's older brother and a passionate musician who struggles with his responsibilities as a father and spouse.

Darkie Fox's wife, who shares his musical passion and is a mother to their two young children.

The energetic nine-year-old son of Darkie and Sal Fox who enjoys outdoor activities in White Point.

Lu's young niece who shares a close bond with him and finds comfort in his care amidst her family life.

A practical and open-minded fishing guide in Northwest Australia who assists Georgie and later Lu during their times of need.

A patient Georgie cared for during her nursing career, whose severe illness profoundly affected Georgie's passion for nursing.

Book Details
Pages

465

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Western Australia • 2000s

Publication Year

2001

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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