I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.
Grenville takes three people, and to a lesser extent a handful of others, and acknowledges their personal doubts and fears. Not only are these characters presented with all their faults, they are honoured that way. Harley, Douglas and Felicity are all, one way or another, relatable people - and that is the beauty of this novel, which is more character than plot driven.
That the three of them are "fish out of water" in a tiny New South Wales town makes them even more interesting. And Grenville's depiction of the town, Karakarook, is deeply insightful. If you have ever visited a small Australian town you will recognise it here. ( )

Very sweet. Tenderly told. The sadness and futility of straining towards perfection, or just shutting down.

Harley Savage and Douglas Cheeseman separately find themselves in an unfamiliar out of the way town called Karakarook, New South Wales. Harley is there to help the community create a Heritage Museum, in hopes of drawing tourists. Douglas is there as the engineer to lead on the taking down of the old bent bridge and replacement by the new cement one.

Both in late middle age, with histories and uncertainties, Grenville shows them through their stream of conscious thoughts, as they nudge towards each other, full of apologies and embarrassments and confused feelings. A novel full of light uncomfortable moments. ( )

(8.5) This book is all about the characters. Ordinary folk who are wonderfully drawn. The theme of the historic bridge is the vehicle which brings them all together. ( )

The story actually revolves around 3 people in a small town called "Karakarook".
1.Harley Savage - a museum curator
2.Douglas Cheeseman- an engineer
3.Mrs.Felicity Porcelline - a common but beauty conscious house wife

Different people meet at a small place, different ideas, different relations, differents views and problems.A place where things dont happen, things are known, things that not cared about and people simple enough and easy with their life.

Writer has beautifully written the "awkward" moments in characters life (as well as ours), which natually are pushed back. The story has a happy ending and shows a wonderful conversation between our minds and others (which actually goes on concurrently).
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