The Riders by Tim Winton

“The Riders” is a novel by Australian author Tim Winton, first published in 1994. The book follows the story of Fred Scully, an Australian man who moves to Ireland with his wife Jennifer and their young daughter Billie. Fred is a talented tradesman and has been hired to restore an old mansion in rural Ireland.

The novel begins with Jennifer and Billie disappearing without a trace, leaving Fred to search for them throughout Europe. As he travels from country to country, he becomes increasingly desperate and haunted by his memories of his past and his relationships with his wife and daughter.

Throughout the book, Winton explores themes such as love, loss, family, and identity. The story is told from Fred’s perspective, and his emotional journey is a central focus of the novel. Winton also vividly portrays the beauty and mystery of the Irish landscape, and the sense of isolation and disorientation that can come with being a stranger in a foreign land.

“The Riders” was a critical and commercial success, and is widely regarded as one of Winton’s most powerful and moving works. The book was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize in 1995, and has been adapted for film and stage.