I'm Not Really Here

Title: I'm Not Really Here
Author: Gary Lonesborough
Publisher: Allen & Unwin

Shortlist: Indigenous Writing

Footsteps approach behind me. I turn and see an Aboriginal boy arriving at the doorway. He's tall, taller than me. He's got curly hair. His body is fit. His chest is chiselled and bare and he's wearing only football shorts.

When 17-year-old Jonah arrives in a new town – Patience – with his dad and younger brothers, it feels like a foreign place. A new town means he needs to make new friends – which isn't always easy. Especially when he's wrestling with his body image, and his memories of his mother.

When he joins the local footy team so he can spend more time with his new crush, Harley, he feels like he's moving closer to something good. But even though he knows what he wants, it doesn't mean he's ready.

Emotionally compelling, honest and warm, I'm Not Really Here is a beautiful novel about navigating family and friendships, and finding a way through grief towards love, from an internationally acclaimed bestselling Indigenous author.

Judges’ report

In this captivating, sensitive and honest book, Gary Lonesborough, a Yuin author, tells the queer coming-of-age story of Jonah. Lonesborough is masterful in his ability to write the voices of his young characters, giving us a glimpse into their world. I’m Not Really Here is outstanding in its ability to illustrate the dynamic complexities of desire, body image, footy and the experience of a young person fitting in and feeling out of place after moving to a small country town. 

Extract

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VPLA book photography by Sarah Walker