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The Big Dry
Heat. Drought. Dust storms.
More people missing every day.
The city turning into a ghost town.
These are not the only dangers for George and his little brother, Beeper. There’s also Emily, a girl who moves like a shadow, slides through locked doors, and seems determined to push two stranded boys ever closer to disaster.
More people missing every day.
The city turning into a ghost town.
These are not the only dangers for George and his little brother, Beeper. There’s also Emily, a girl who moves like a shadow, slides through locked doors, and seems determined to push two stranded boys ever closer to disaster.
- GenresYoung AdultFiction
220 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2013
6 people are currently reading
86 people want to read
About the author
Tony Davis
70 books4 followersTony Davis is widely blamed for LEMON! 60 HEROIC FAILURES OF MOTORING, an Australian bestseller that was published in US and UK editions – and which has been adapted into the hit book for kids, YOU MUST BE SKIDDING! He is also responsible for the eccentric literary memoir F. SCOTT, ERNEST AND ME, plus the new children’s series ROLAND WRIGHT, FUTURE KNIGHT.
Before courageously leaving a well-paid job to be a full-time author (at the end of 2005), Tony had a long and successful career in newspapers, magazines and publishing. He has worked at THE AUSTRALIAN and THE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, has held senior editing and news roles, and has written extensively about popular culture, history, motoring, television and a myriad of other subjects.
Tony lives in northern Sydney with his wife Carolyn and their three sons, William, James and Daniel.
Before courageously leaving a well-paid job to be a full-time author (at the end of 2005), Tony had a long and successful career in newspapers, magazines and publishing. He has worked at THE AUSTRALIAN and THE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, has held senior editing and news roles, and has written extensively about popular culture, history, motoring, television and a myriad of other subjects.
Tony lives in northern Sydney with his wife Carolyn and their three sons, William, James and Daniel.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
August 17, 2013
This is a tough read. The story of George and his little brother, Beeper, is set against a landscape that is barren, vast, and scary. We meet them just after their father has left their property, and has failed to return. Beeper is the optimist, sure that Dad will eventually come back and bring new supplies with him. George is not so sure. Living in a world where unattended children are rounded up and taken off to "welfare", George is afraid of everything around him. There are not many adults around at all, it seems, and those we do meet through the story are either powerless and struggling or brutal and harsh. There are searing wind storms that cut through the town periodically and are fierce enough to carry people away. Scary stuff for two kids, even IF Dad was around.
Into the lives of Beeper and George comes Emily. She gradually insinuates herself into the lives of George and Beeper and becomes part of what passes for their family. She is more worldly than the two boys and in a neat reversal of typical roles she becomes their protector and provider. George is wary of her and resents her getting close to Beeper. This sets the two in a tense stand off most of the time. It is only when they are truly threatened as a group that George realises his feelings for her, but by then it seems it is too late.
The novel takes place over just a few days, but because of the oppressive nature of their surroundings, and the danger that is ever-present, it feels a lot longer. I found the characters well crafted, particularly Beeper, who was delightful and vulnerable, and Emily who just wants to find a place in the world for herself again.
By the time to end of the book arrives, you feel worn down by the dry, dusty environment and while there is a note of hope, right on the final page, I felt an ache for George and Beeper as the book closed. I am not sure if there is a sequel in the offing, but there is certainly room to explore this world where rain has not been seen for many years, and the characters that inhabit it. I want to find out what happens to George and Beeper and the rest of the people in the book, so i am keeping my fingers crossed for a second book.
Suitable for 12 and up.
Into the lives of Beeper and George comes Emily. She gradually insinuates herself into the lives of George and Beeper and becomes part of what passes for their family. She is more worldly than the two boys and in a neat reversal of typical roles she becomes their protector and provider. George is wary of her and resents her getting close to Beeper. This sets the two in a tense stand off most of the time. It is only when they are truly threatened as a group that George realises his feelings for her, but by then it seems it is too late.
The novel takes place over just a few days, but because of the oppressive nature of their surroundings, and the danger that is ever-present, it feels a lot longer. I found the characters well crafted, particularly Beeper, who was delightful and vulnerable, and Emily who just wants to find a place in the world for herself again.
By the time to end of the book arrives, you feel worn down by the dry, dusty environment and while there is a note of hope, right on the final page, I felt an ache for George and Beeper as the book closed. I am not sure if there is a sequel in the offing, but there is certainly room to explore this world where rain has not been seen for many years, and the characters that inhabit it. I want to find out what happens to George and Beeper and the rest of the people in the book, so i am keeping my fingers crossed for a second book.
Suitable for 12 and up.
January 17, 2019
When I first started this book I wandered why it was YA and not Middle-Grade. The characters were younger than YA characters are supposed to be and from the first few chapters the writing style seemed very simplistic.
And then Emily comes along and...
And THAT happens.
Overall I think this was an unrelenting, dark read. It's full of despair from cover to cover and it never lets up. The writing, though simple throughout - carries this needling sense of paranoia. Definitely the type of book that leaves you with more questions than when you started.
George and Beeper were very realistic, which only made the whole story more heart breaking. I don't know man, book makes you feel sad.
And then Emily comes along and...
And THAT happens.
Overall I think this was an unrelenting, dark read. It's full of despair from cover to cover and it never lets up. The writing, though simple throughout - carries this needling sense of paranoia. Definitely the type of book that leaves you with more questions than when you started.
George and Beeper were very realistic, which only made the whole story more heart breaking. I don't know man, book makes you feel sad.
October 6, 2013
Other reviewers called this a harrowing read, and I'm inclined to agree with them. Thirteen-year-old George and his little brother Beeper live in a town that's almost been destroyed by a drought. They are on their own, with little food left. Threats loom over them - Beeper being taken away, being killed by one of the frequent duststorms, being attacked by feral wanderers, losing their remaining food to the mysterious girl called Emily... The writing is so vivid that you can taste the dust and feel it clogging your lungs. I was desperately hoping all the way through that there would be some kind of miraculous happy ending - but at best, the ending is bitter-sweet. Not for the faint-hearted.
July 27, 2013
Bleak, harrowing, so much left unsaid and unanswered, yet with a glimmer of hope.
Will appeal to those who like a post-apocalyptic tale without answering all the reader's questions or providing a clear indication of what is to come.
I would equate this with a younger version of McCarthy's 'The Road'.
Will appeal to those who like a post-apocalyptic tale without answering all the reader's questions or providing a clear indication of what is to come.
I would equate this with a younger version of McCarthy's 'The Road'.
January 2, 2014
An excellent read, made me thirsty reading it. The writing is excellent, the story gripping and those two little boys are just perfect. A tear in my eye at the end. A great book for boys at junior secondary.
March 9, 2020
Undemanding adventure/dystopian read set in an unspecified time and place but feels very Australian.
Dad and two sons live in a drought-stricken society that has broken down completely. Dad leaves for supplies and has not returned, leaving 13-year-old George and his six-year-old brother Beeper home alone and very vulnerable.
Dad and two sons live in a drought-stricken society that has broken down completely. Dad leaves for supplies and has not returned, leaving 13-year-old George and his six-year-old brother Beeper home alone and very vulnerable.
April 27, 2019
An interesting dystopian novel. Recommend to people that like "The Road" and "The Fifth Wave."
May 8, 2020
Amazing book
December 26, 2015
Rating: 3.5/5
Dust storms, heat and drought. This is what the world has come to: a world full of wanderers, killers and lost souls with more people disappearing by the day.
George and Beeper are left alone when their father leaves on some errands and doesn't come home again. It's left to George to make sure no one finds out they are home alone, George will stop at nothing to make sure Beeper is safe, away from the clutches of Welfare. But then an arrogant and selfish girl called Emily arrives and starts to stir up trouble for the pair. How will George and Beeper survive this new found conundrum?
Tony Davis has created a broken world, a world full of survivors clinging for their lives. With blasters occurring at any random moment, little warning supplied George and Beeper are never safe! In 'The Big Dry' Davis' writing style is very serious, due to the protagonist's view point being particularly serious and protective.
One of the only things I don't like about 'The Big Dry' is that it seems like the book is moving very slowly, by the time you are about half to three quarters of your way through the book not much has really happened, but after that a lot of the action occurs all at once.
Dust storms, heat and drought. This is what the world has come to: a world full of wanderers, killers and lost souls with more people disappearing by the day.
George and Beeper are left alone when their father leaves on some errands and doesn't come home again. It's left to George to make sure no one finds out they are home alone, George will stop at nothing to make sure Beeper is safe, away from the clutches of Welfare. But then an arrogant and selfish girl called Emily arrives and starts to stir up trouble for the pair. How will George and Beeper survive this new found conundrum?
Tony Davis has created a broken world, a world full of survivors clinging for their lives. With blasters occurring at any random moment, little warning supplied George and Beeper are never safe! In 'The Big Dry' Davis' writing style is very serious, due to the protagonist's view point being particularly serious and protective.
One of the only things I don't like about 'The Big Dry' is that it seems like the book is moving very slowly, by the time you are about half to three quarters of your way through the book not much has really happened, but after that a lot of the action occurs all at once.
August 30, 2015
Now here's a great example of sophisticated writing for children. There is nothing join-the-dots about this book. It is awesome.
Futuristic but entirely imaginable. Part of Australia is a dust bowl. The people who live in it have essentially been abandoned and they must fend for themselves the best way they can. Huge dust storms desecrate everything in their paths. There is no water, no food - it's every man for himself. It's hard enough for adults - but what happens when children have to fend for themselves ?
Fantastic themes in this book for discussion in the Upper Primary / Lower Secondary arena. Climate change ; Survival ; Values etc.
Fabulous book. A great read for adults, too.
Futuristic but entirely imaginable. Part of Australia is a dust bowl. The people who live in it have essentially been abandoned and they must fend for themselves the best way they can. Huge dust storms desecrate everything in their paths. There is no water, no food - it's every man for himself. It's hard enough for adults - but what happens when children have to fend for themselves ?
Fantastic themes in this book for discussion in the Upper Primary / Lower Secondary arena. Climate change ; Survival ; Values etc.
Fabulous book. A great read for adults, too.
March 30, 2016
I thought this book was boring and just another story about the great depression but as I read I could tell that things were different and not how history went. The story takes place in under a month it seems and makes me crave a sequel to find out what happens to the three children in the dusty, dangerous world. I would recommend this to someone who wants a quick read and also for someone who likes historical fiction because even though it isn't it is similar to the great depression.
December 22, 2014
This is not any easy read. It's like a junior edition of Cormac McCarthy's The Road. I can see why it is on the Premier's Reading Challenge. The subject is challenging and for more sensitive readers, I think it could be distressing. However, I think it has been written carefully, with young readers in mind, so is never too graphic. I would recommend this to mature readers from year 7+.
June 19, 2013
Harrowing and haunting
November 15, 2013
Beautifully written. Perhaps too well written. Took me an age to read, because each time I picked it up I felt like I was choking on dust...
November 22, 2013
I know this is a childrens book but I really enjoyed it. Well written and a compelling story with lots of truth to it. I like the ending too--even if it was very open ended!
September 21, 2015
I'm really struggling with this one. I love the concept, but I've picked it up so many times and it leaves me bored, I can't get into the characters, they seem flat somehow.
June 10, 2016
Emotionally engaging readers of all ages in the core issue of our time - climate change - within a personal and human perspective - beautifully written and totally engaging read.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews