What do you think?
Rate this book
Big Things
Grover is a man of small routines, not big responsibilities. When his sister asks him to babysit her two kids, Alex and Jennifer, he reluctantly agrees. It’s just for one night after all. But nothing could have prepared him for what comes next.
In the wake of sudden tragedy, Grover finds himself unexpectedly thrust into the role of guardian. Convinced the children would be better off with their grandmother, he decides to take them on a cross-country road trip to ease them into the idea of their new life.
The roadside attractions aren’t the only big things they encounter on their journey. The trio meet larger-than-life new friends and find themselves embroiled in a media storm as their simple road trip quickly becomes something much bigger. Along the way Grover, Alex and Jennifer begin to confront their grief and fears, and they form an unconventional, yet powerful bond. As past wounds resurface, Grover must face the ghosts he’s long avoided and decide what kind of future he wants - and what kind of future he deserves.
Full of humour, pop culture and heart, BIG THINGS is a story of second chances and family, set against the stunning backdrop of Australia.
In the wake of sudden tragedy, Grover finds himself unexpectedly thrust into the role of guardian. Convinced the children would be better off with their grandmother, he decides to take them on a cross-country road trip to ease them into the idea of their new life.
The roadside attractions aren’t the only big things they encounter on their journey. The trio meet larger-than-life new friends and find themselves embroiled in a media storm as their simple road trip quickly becomes something much bigger. Along the way Grover, Alex and Jennifer begin to confront their grief and fears, and they form an unconventional, yet powerful bond. As past wounds resurface, Grover must face the ghosts he’s long avoided and decide what kind of future he wants - and what kind of future he deserves.
Full of humour, pop culture and heart, BIG THINGS is a story of second chances and family, set against the stunning backdrop of Australia.
417 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 12, 2025
9 people want to read
About the author
David Rogerson
7 books1 followerDavid Rogerson was born and raised in Western Australia and earned his bachelor’s degrees in English and Comparative Literature and Law at Perth’s Murdoch University.
After studying screenwriting and creative writing courses at the Royal Melbourne Institute for Technology (RMIT), David completed additional studies through Open Channel Australia and The Australian Film, Television and Radio School.
David was a finalist in Fremantle Media’s Neighbours Initiative for emerging television screenwriters and was shortlisted for the Australian Writers’ Guild Monte Miller Award for having co-authored a historical Australian period-mystery series.
With a passion for Australian popular culture, television and movies, David previously wrote a weekly column on the subject for an online publication.
He has also contributed to Australian newspapers, magazines and journals with articles ranging from true-life Aussie stories to Australian history.
After studying screenwriting and creative writing courses at the Royal Melbourne Institute for Technology (RMIT), David completed additional studies through Open Channel Australia and The Australian Film, Television and Radio School.
David was a finalist in Fremantle Media’s Neighbours Initiative for emerging television screenwriters and was shortlisted for the Australian Writers’ Guild Monte Miller Award for having co-authored a historical Australian period-mystery series.
With a passion for Australian popular culture, television and movies, David previously wrote a weekly column on the subject for an online publication.
He has also contributed to Australian newspapers, magazines and journals with articles ranging from true-life Aussie stories to Australian history.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
June 18, 2025
Okay, so there is a new Australian voice in writing.
This novel is completely engaging from start to finish. It's uniquely Australian, full of colourful cultural references with hilarious commentary from Mr Rogerson. Without giving too much away, it leaves you questioning: What if this happened to me?
Belongs on the 'bangers only list', so do yourself a favour and give it a go.
This novel is completely engaging from start to finish. It's uniquely Australian, full of colourful cultural references with hilarious commentary from Mr Rogerson. Without giving too much away, it leaves you questioning: What if this happened to me?
Belongs on the 'bangers only list', so do yourself a favour and give it a go.
November 7, 2025
Big Things is the quintessentially Australian road trip novel from WA author David Rogerson. With a good dose of nostalgia and plenty of humour it’s a ride I won’t soon forget.
When Grover is asked to babysit his niece and nephew overnight he reluctantly agrees, figuring not much could go wrong in one night. However when tragedy strikes, he finds himself thrust into the role of Jennifer and Alex’s guardian. It’s a job for which he feels ill-prepared and he’s convinced they would be better off with their grandmother. To ease them into the idea, Grover decides to first take them on a cross country road trip to check out the Big Things roadside attractions. Along the way they meet an eclectic cast of characters and find themselves at the centre of a media storm. However, despite all the fun, they must also confront their own grief and fear in order to move forward together.
Big Things was just the book I needed to pull me out of my reading slump. Full of heart, humour and hope, I was fully invested in this unconventional family and felt compelled to follow them on what was an eventful journey. I adored the interjections from the anonymous narrator who addressed the reader directly with his irreverent and rule breaking speeches and I was drawn to each of these vibrant characters and the struggles they were facing.
The nostalgic Aussie references were also heartwarming and funny and the sibling bickering very authentic and relatable. I was there for all the cheesy jokes and innuendo too, which had me laughing out loud on plenty of occasions.
Although Big Things deals with some heavy themes such as death, grief, fractured family, transphobia, bullying and guilt, it does this in a sensitive and warmhearted way using humour to balance it out.
If you love a good Aussie road trip novel with found family, pop culture references and a big dose of cheesy humour, then I urge you to pick up Big Things and get ready for a good old belly laugh.
When Grover is asked to babysit his niece and nephew overnight he reluctantly agrees, figuring not much could go wrong in one night. However when tragedy strikes, he finds himself thrust into the role of Jennifer and Alex’s guardian. It’s a job for which he feels ill-prepared and he’s convinced they would be better off with their grandmother. To ease them into the idea, Grover decides to first take them on a cross country road trip to check out the Big Things roadside attractions. Along the way they meet an eclectic cast of characters and find themselves at the centre of a media storm. However, despite all the fun, they must also confront their own grief and fear in order to move forward together.
Big Things was just the book I needed to pull me out of my reading slump. Full of heart, humour and hope, I was fully invested in this unconventional family and felt compelled to follow them on what was an eventful journey. I adored the interjections from the anonymous narrator who addressed the reader directly with his irreverent and rule breaking speeches and I was drawn to each of these vibrant characters and the struggles they were facing.
The nostalgic Aussie references were also heartwarming and funny and the sibling bickering very authentic and relatable. I was there for all the cheesy jokes and innuendo too, which had me laughing out loud on plenty of occasions.
Although Big Things deals with some heavy themes such as death, grief, fractured family, transphobia, bullying and guilt, it does this in a sensitive and warmhearted way using humour to balance it out.
If you love a good Aussie road trip novel with found family, pop culture references and a big dose of cheesy humour, then I urge you to pick up Big Things and get ready for a good old belly laugh.
August 31, 2025
David Rogerson’s Big Things is a quintessentially Australian road-trip novel that captures the chaos, humour, and heartbreak of a dysfunctional family brought together and crammed into a famous bus, chasing the country’s oversized roadside icons.
Packed with 80s and 90s Aussie pop-culture references—TV shows, music, fashion, food—it’s a nostalgic ride that feels both hilarious and painfully real. The “big things” themselves become perfect symbols of ambition, absurdity, and the search for connection.
Equal parts sharp, tender, and laugh-out-loud, Big Things is a fantastic debut novel, I can’t wait to read book number two!
Packed with 80s and 90s Aussie pop-culture references—TV shows, music, fashion, food—it’s a nostalgic ride that feels both hilarious and painfully real. The “big things” themselves become perfect symbols of ambition, absurdity, and the search for connection.
Equal parts sharp, tender, and laugh-out-loud, Big Things is a fantastic debut novel, I can’t wait to read book number two!
June 29, 2025
A corker of an adventure story, the likes of which you have never read before.
Cleverly told in the voice of a first-time narrator doing their level best to do a good job, Big Things follows an unlikely group on a road-trip to parts of Australia not featured in glossy tourism brochures.
On the surface, Big Things is entertaining and startingly irreverent. At its core, it's a heartwarming and delightfully colourful celebration of authenticity, acceptance, and family.
An absolute must read.
Cleverly told in the voice of a first-time narrator doing their level best to do a good job, Big Things follows an unlikely group on a road-trip to parts of Australia not featured in glossy tourism brochures.
On the surface, Big Things is entertaining and startingly irreverent. At its core, it's a heartwarming and delightfully colourful celebration of authenticity, acceptance, and family.
An absolute must read.
June 19, 2025
This book is, in short, incredible.
Set against the backdrop of a road trip across Australia, this quirky story is the literary soul-food we didn’t know we needed, but absolutely deserve.
With a cast of fully-formed, larger-than-life characters, an innovative narrative style, and evocative writing, this book will break your heart then have you laughing out loud in the next breath.
This story now lives rent-free in my brain, and it’s a universe I am happy to inhabit for the foreseeable future.
I cannot overstate how quickly you need to go and buy this book. You will not be disappointed.
Set against the backdrop of a road trip across Australia, this quirky story is the literary soul-food we didn’t know we needed, but absolutely deserve.
With a cast of fully-formed, larger-than-life characters, an innovative narrative style, and evocative writing, this book will break your heart then have you laughing out loud in the next breath.
This story now lives rent-free in my brain, and it’s a universe I am happy to inhabit for the foreseeable future.
I cannot overstate how quickly you need to go and buy this book. You will not be disappointed.
September 5, 2025
quite emotional and thought provoking
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews