The Australian — Emma Smith-Stevens

In her humorous and emotionally resonant debut, Emma Smith-Stevens follows the exploits and evolution of a young man - known only as the Australian - over the course of a dozen years, from his time in Melbourne, posing as Superman for tourist photos, to his life in New York, where he spends years unemployed before stumbling into fame and fortune. Recently married to a woman he barely knows and struggling to form a relationship with his newborn son, the Australian returns to his home city to tend to his dying mother and unlock the mysteries of his estranged, and now dead, father. His journey leads him to the Dreaming Tracks--sacred landmarks across Australia--sites inspired by his fathers Australian Geographic magazines, and beyond.

A poignant and at times satirical meditation on masculinity, fatherhood, isolation, New York City, fame, and loss, The Australian examines the ways we come to know each other, and ultimately ourselves.