Taking America Out of the Boy

the long version

Stoneking refers to this book as an auto-fictography - a "new" kind of autobiographical writing that is based solely on memory without recourse to notes, diaries or the memories of family, friend and collegues. What emerges is a coming of age story that traverses two continents and any number of cultural/tribal groups. As one journeys with the Amerikan-born Stoneking ever deeper into the great hinterland of the Australian outback, one begins to see how Stoneking's odyssey possesses a universality for anyone who has had a home, lost it, and set about looking for one to replace it. It is by turns poignant, funny and exceedingly honest - nakedly so - with a progressive transformation of language that echoes the authors initiation into Aussie culture.