Donkey Drop

Shortlisted for the Australian/Vogel Literary Award.It's 1999. Joel likes suburban life just fine: dole cheques rolling in, hanging out with his best mate, and the future comfortably on hold.That is, until he lands a job at a smash repair shop.Under the wing of a charismatic car thief, he learns panel beating, discovers pride in his work, and enters a world of responsibility, risk, and unspoken rules.When a reckless decision involving a stolen car goes wrong, Joel is left with guilt he can't outrun.As pressure from work and the people he has begun to care about closes in, he is forced to confront the cost of loyalty and the uneasy truth about the person he is becoming.Donkey Drop is a gritty Australian coming-of-age novel about friendship, consequences, and the choices that stay with us long after they're made.Recommended for readers 16+ due to mature themes.