Abstract
Jason Dade, quixotic hero of this 1970s coming-of-age novel, is on a quest. He must decipher cryptic signs on his journey to meet an elusive figure known only as The Man. His father, Saul Dade, broods restlessly at hope, helpless to intervene. Their interwoven narratives include idyllic descriptions of rural childhood, the grim spectre of war, the harsh realities of leaving the nest ... and finding the way back home. The Last Half of the Year renews the age-old configuration of innocence and experience in this, at times, darkly humourous story of a father and son whose lives cast shadows over one another across time.It is a book about generations, the passage of time, and the reckless and resilience of youth.