bThe tender, sensual and moving new novel from the award-winning and bestselling author of iThe Slapi and iDamascusi. A compelling contemporary love story between two middle-aged men, told with grace, heart and wisdom.bbrbriNo life is simple, and no life is without sorrow. No life is perfect.ibrbrTwo middle-aged men meet on an internet date. Each has been scarred by a previous relationship; each has his own compelling reasons for giving up on the idea of finding love.brbrBut still they both turn up for the dinner, feel the spark and the possibility of something more.A Feel the fear of failing again, of being hurt and humiliated and further annihilated by love.brbrHow can they take the risk of falling in love again. How can they notbrbrA tender, affecting novel of love, of hope, of forgiveness by one of our most fearless and truthful interpreters of the human heart, the acclaimed bestselling author ofiThe SlapiandiDamascus.ibrbrbPraise for Christos Tsiolkasbbrbr'I've admired the risk and power of all his novels, but this might be the riskiest of all-so personal, so delicate and true-and I love it.' - bCharlotte Wood on i7 12ibbrbr'A scorching, mythic work with a heart of the sweetest intimacy.'- bHelen Garner on i7 12ibbrbr'The audacity of Tsiolkas is still a thrill. And, dare one say it, necessary.' - bNigel Featherstone on i7 12ibbrbr'Tsiolkas has proved himself a heroic writer, ready to enter the fray and wrestle with intractable moral and political questions. A powerful parable of our times.' - biThe Saturday Paperi on iDamascusibbrbr'Every time I was 10 pages in a new book, I thought, ''It's not iDamascusi'', and put it aside for another day . . .' - bStephen Romei, iWeekend Australian ioni Damascusibbrbr'I finished iBarracudai on a high moved, elated, immersed . . . This is the work of a superb writer who has completely mastered his craft but lost nothing of his fiery spirit in so doing. It is a big achievement.' - biThe Guardianibbrbr'Once in a while a novel comes along that reminds me why I love to read iThe Slapi is such a book . . . Tsiolkas throws open the window on society, picks apart its flaws, embraces its contradictions and recognises its beauty, all the time asking the reader, Whose side are you on Honestly, one of the three or four truly great novels of the new millennium.' - bJohn Boyne, author of iThe Boy in the Striped Pyjamasibbrbr'iThe Slapi is nothing short of a tour de force, and it confirms Christos Tsiolkas's reputation as one of the most significant contemporary storytellers at work today . . . Here is a novel of immense power and scope.' - bColm TA (3)ibA-n, author of iBrooklynib