A key to unlock the heart of the countryThis is the story of a quest - a journey down the red highway. On returning form a war zone, Nicolas Rothwell begins to explore the deserts and towns, sleepy coastline and hidden worlds of Australia's north. As he travels, his journey gathers momentum and finds a shape. He has unforgettable, even mystical encounters- with a nun, an explorer, a collector and a hunter. It becomes a quest - for knowledge and a sense of home - that builds to a stunning culmination. Nicolas Rothwell is among Australia's most gifted writers, and The Red Highwayis a one-of-a-kind book. It explores death, friendship, travel and art, and evokes a unique and mesmerising part of the country. Rothwell's calm wondering at what he sees and hears on his travels left me with a feeling of enchantment.- ROBERT DESSAIX