Dry, The (ATOM Study Guide)

Federal Agent Aaron Falk returns to his home town after an absence of over twenty years to attend the funeral of his childhood friend, Luke, who allegedly killed his wife and child before taking his own life – a victim of the madness that has ravaged this community after more than a decade of drought. Kiewarra, like many small rural towns, is dying of thirst and neglect. The rolling green hills Aaron left behind when he moved to Melbourne are now a sickly, parched brown. The rushing river he and Luke used to swim in has vanished, leaving a monstrous scar across the land.

When Falk reluctantly agrees to stay and investigate the crime, he opens up an old wound – the death of 17-year-old Ellie Deacon. Falk begins to suspect these two crimes, separated by decades, are connected. As he struggles to prove not only Luke's innocence but also his own, Falk finds himself pitted against the prejudice towards him and pent-up rage of a terrified community.

As the drought worsens and the heat rises, Kiewarra is a tinder box ready to burst into flames at any moment.

Curriculum Links:

NB. The Dry contains occasional coarse language, mature concepts and some graphic scenes. As such, it is recommended for students aged 15+ and teacher discretion is advised.

The Dry can be linked to the following subject areas within the Australian Curriculum:

• Year 9–10 English
• Year 9–10 Geography
• Year 9–10 Health and Physical Education
• Year 9–10 Media Arts

The Dry may also be used as a supplementary text for relevant Senior School subject areas, including:

• English
• Health and Human Development
• Media Arts
• Psychology