A review of Holden Sheppard's first adult novel, "King of Dirt," which explores the self-destructive behavior and internalised homophobia of its gay protagonist, Giacomo "Jack" Brolo, as he returns to rural Australia after being outed. The novel is praised for its grim, poignant portrayal of damaged men but criticised for its limited scope and thin cultural markers, struggling to fully transcend young adult fiction themes.
King of Dirt by Holden Sheppard review – a grim portrait of homophobia and masculinity
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TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️A review of Holden Sheppard's first adult novel, "King of Dirt," which explores the self-destructive behavior and internalised homophobia of its gay protagonist, Giacomo "Jack" Brolo, as he returns to rural Australia after being outed. The novel is praised for its grim, poignant portrayal of damaged men but criticised for its limited scope and thin cultural markers, struggling to fully transcend young adult fiction themes.
- 1 Recent past: Invisible Boys adapted into a television series
- 2 Present: Jack returns to Geraldton for Rocco's wedding
- The novel contributes to the literary discussion of queer experiences in rural settings
- Potentially raises awareness about homophobia and its psychological impacts
What: A book review of Holden Sheppard's new novel "King of Dirt," which delves into themes of homophobia, masculinity, and self-acceptance in rural Australia.
When: Published 2025-06-05 (review date).
Where: Rural Australia, Geraldton (Western Australia), Nullarbor.
Why: The novel aims to portray the struggles of being gay in a hyper-masculinised, rural environment and the consequences of internalised homophobia.
How: Through the narrative of Giacomo "Jack" Brolo, who returns to his hometown after being outed, confronting past trauma and navigating his identity and relationships.