The Last Pulse (Anson Cameron, Vintage)

The Last Pulse is a funny and touching tale of a South Australian farmer-turned-hero (or so he thinks). When Merv Rossiter steals a boat from the Riverland and heads up the Murray Darling with his eight-year-old daughter Em in tow, he has one thing in mind: taking back the water. His plan causes more waves than he could imagine. The Federal Government looks set to be crippled by a water buyback scheme, pushed by the people of country South Australia and a quack environmental scientist. Merv’s journey sees him rescue Queensland’s Minister for the Environment from a floating Port-a-loo, as well as a young Indigenous boy who believes he is a River Man responsible for singing the river back to life. Loyalties are tested as Merv and the minister disagree over the rightful owners of the rains that fall in Queensland but should flow to South Australia. Anson Cameron latest novel is much more than a political comedy about water policy: Merv and Em’s relationship is riddled with hero-worship, guilt and confusion, and Em’s realisation that her father’s actions might not be as ‘good’ as she first thought is heartbreaking. Beautifully written and extremely timely, The Last Pulse is perfect for fans of Australian literature.

Louise Fay is the special orders manager at Dymocks Adelaide

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Category: Reviews