By Tim Winton

"The Shepherd's Hut" is a novel by Australian author Tim Winton, first published in 2018. The story is narrated by Jaxie Clackton, a teenage boy who has run away from his abusive father and finds himself alone in the harsh Western Australian wilderness.

Jaxie is a tough and resourceful character who has learned to survive on his own. He comes across an old shepherd's hut and decides to stay there for a while, hoping to avoid being caught by the authorities who are searching for him.

While he is there, Jaxie meets a strange and reclusive man named Fintan MacGillis, who has been living in the wilderness for many years. Fintan takes Jaxie under his wing and teaches him how to survive in the harsh environment.

As Jaxie and Fintan spend time together, Jaxie begins to open up about his troubled past and the abuse he suffered at the hands of his father. Fintan, in turn, shares his own painful memories and the reasons why he has chosen to live in isolation.

The novel explores themes of survival, redemption, and the healing power of human connection. It also examines the complex relationship between fathers and sons, and the ways in which family history can shape our lives.

Australia. Penguin Random House.