The road to Tralfamadore is bathed in river water: stories from a gypsy childhood

In the early 1970s, a single mother and her four children find themselves alone on the east coast of New South Wales. They join the ‘Back to the Earth Movement’ at the idyllic land known as ‘Tralfamadore’.

The family choose a spot on a hill bound by a river and creek, building a home using river stones and found objects. They sustain themselves on homegrown produce and fresh air.

Blaise and her siblings, as well as children from the other homes scattered in the bush amongst nine dwellings, life is unrestrained and full of adventure.

Eventually, many of the Tralfamadorians leave to become sannyassins as part of the Rajneesh Movement in India, wearing orange and changing their names, but not before they’ve brought a little Indian culture to the bush.

Told in a series of ethereal vignettes, The road to Tralfamadore is bathed in river water is a memoir that depicts a childhood full of both naivety and wisdom during an era of radical social change.