Holden Sheppard’s King of Dirt review

King Of Dirt is a gritty new novel from West Australian writer Holden Sheppard.

Holden Sheppard is enjoying immense success with his realistic novel set in the outback.

How long can we pretend to be something we’re not, and if we do that – is there any room left for love? Holden Sheppard’s new novel takes us into the dusty outback of Western Australia to tackle this question.

King of Dirt opens with Giacomo “Jack” Brolo, a rugged tradie and professional ditch digger. He’s not a stud, at best he’s got a dad-bod fuelled by servo pies and Oak milk. And he has a secret, a secret so big there isn’t enough grog in the bush to let him forget about it, though he certainly tries to drown his misery. He spends his days seeped in self-loathing and denial, hanging in there like the famed leaning trees he passes on the highway. They grow sideways, instead of up, just like Jack.

King of Dirt by Holden Sheppard.

Things become tense when a young, clearly gay bloke joins his roadside crew. Jack rips on him as much as his FIFO work mates, but the trouble is – Jack’s also gay, maybe bisexual, but probably gay, and he’s trying desperately to pretend otherwise. He doesn’t need a spunky, well adjusted fella wandering around like he owns the place, threatening to unravel him.

But it’s not until Jack gets called back to his hometown of ­Geraldtown for a family wedding that his secrets truly begin to unravel; including some secrets he didn’t even know he had.

It’s been 16 years since Jack buggered off from the town, marinated in rumour and shame. Returning means he’s forced to confront his conservative Catholic-Italian family. Even the kindest of his relatives remarks how “normal” he seems these days, totally unlike the local flamboyant hairdresser. Jack’s alcoholism his family can handle, that’s not a worry, but his sexuality remains taboo.

King of Dirt is a reminder that while over 61 per cent of Australians voted for marriage equality, a little under 39 per cent didn’t. Not only does Jack come from the mob who voted no, they’re the same people whose love and affection he desperately craves. How can he do right by his family, his mates and his God, while still clinging to any sense of self?

Just when he reckons he’s starting to get a handle on it, a chance encounter leads him to the biggest secret of the lot: Jack Brolo, secret homo, may have fathered a teenage son.

King of Dirt is an easy read that flows like a meaningful conversation at the pub. It swears, it sweats, it bleeds earnestly. It has short chapters and down to earth, ocker language, perfect for casual or reluctant readers. It’s about as Aussie as they come; if you cut the book in half, red dust falls out of it. At the same time, there are no easy answers, though there is an abundance of authenticity for the queer experience. There is also a bedrock of hope that Jack must dig deep to find.

Sheppard writes working class people with big hearts.

The heroes of the story are working class people with big hearts; people like you, reading this review. Bob the worksite supervisor, Lucy the new mum, Elana the Italian backpacker; people who couldn’t give a stuff about politics or identity, the ones who accept people for who they are, and who hold space and a cup of tea.

Holden Sheppard is also the author of Invisible Boys, which was recently adapted into a streaming series for Stan. He’s making a name for himself writing chill, modern, blokey fiction with gay characters that pull no punches and make no apologies for their fair-dinkum hearts. These aren’t Hollywood-flavoured idealised versions of men; they are full of faults and contradictions, containing refreshing multitudes. King of Dirt’s conversations are ripped straight from family dinner tables more than news headlines.

Impressively, the novel doesn’t shy away from discussions about class. Who really gets to be themselves, these days? Is it the young, who insist on diversifying the human experience and being true to themselves? Or is it the older generations who swallowed salt to build wealth and hang onto their traditions? It’s a mature story that looks not at the country we aspire to but rather the Australia we have today. It has powerful observations on mental health, purpose and loyalty. If you’ve ever felt betrayed because a mate has his own agenda, you’ll find catharsis in its pages.

At the same time, if you’ve ever wondered what the experience of a young tradie in the bush is like, this is the novel for you. It really hums when Jack discusses his great love: his black SS Holden V8 which he dubs “Phantom”.

Most of his pay goes into his car – tweaking and upgrading it, deafening all the cafe patrons in town as he revs it up and down the main street. Sometimes the story can feel a little too localised, with a bit of a “you had to be there” vibe, which will almost ­certainly delight residents of Geraldtown, but even this adds authentic texture.

King of Dirt is a bold, unapologetically Aussie yarn that has enough moxie to open minds and hearts alike. You’ll have a laugh, shed a tear and come away appreciative of the vast characters of our lucky country.
Cadance Bell’s most recent book is Letters To Our Robot Son

About the author

Holden Sheppard is a West Australian author whose debut novel Invisible Boys won multiple awards, including the 2019 WA Premier’s Prize for an Emerging Writer. Invisible Boys was adapted as a 10-episode television series with Stan Australia which premiered in 2025. Holden’s second book The Brink won several accolades including the 2024 Ena Noel Award. His new 2025 release King of Dirt is his third novel, and his first book for adults. A country boy from Geraldton, Holden now lives in Perth’s far north with his husband and his V8 ute.