Johan Gabrielsen

Isn't that fantastic?

And here's another one from Kim Rackham Smith or Smythe.

The power of the ocean in this book made me hold my breath.

For me personally, the power of the ocean is calming.

But every time I think back on this book, I think of the risk taking, the adrenaline rush, the need these boys felt to outdo themselves and each other each time they hit the waves.

Yeah, some beautiful comments there from the readers on the ABC Book Club Facebook group.

Well, there's the real resonance between the two books, isn't it?

It's about the life, all those tomorrows, Kate.

So when we talk about Australian masculinity, having taken in these two books, is it too dangerous and simple to say that what we find often are these people who are never quite at peace with what has happened to them as young men, young boys, that there's always going to be this brokenness about masculinity?

Because it's tempting to see that.

Well, thank you for not letting me get away with a massive generalisation, Stu Nettle.

I appreciate it.

And I actually really, I really do.

I take that point quite to heart.

It's good.

Well, thank you, Stuart Nettle and Johan Gabrielsen for bringing such richness to these books.

It's been so great to hear you talking about them and the way you think of them and interpret them.

Wonderful.

Thank you so much.

Stuart Nettle is a writer and editor of Swellnet.