The Finley Confession: Winner of the Proverse Prize 2020

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Set against the backdrop of a flooded Australian landscape, two septuagenarians reflect on their youth and the events that shaped their lives. Ralph McDonald recounts the summer adventures of three teenagers from different backgrounds, whose bond is tested by the arrival of a half-Aboriginal boy and a glamorous singer. As their seemingly idyllic friendships unravel, themes of snobbery, deception, and exploitation emerge, challenging the notion of mateship. Blending genres, the narrative critically explores race, class, and the ownership of personal stories in contemporary Australia.