PAPERBACK-MID SIZE EDITON-CREASES TO SPINE AND COVER AND PRIOR OWNER NAME REMOVED VIA INK ON INSIDE PAGE-WILL COMBINE BOOKS TO SAVE POSTAGE-
W ITH THE BROODING GOOD LOOKS of a slightly dissolute, '50s matinee idol, Roger McDonald is a man of quiet, almost stilted dignity. For an urbane veteran of OzLit, he's also surprisingly uncomfortable with his intrusive role as author-in-the-spotlight; as we watch a school of surfers manoeuvre for a ride on the rock-flanked beach below his Sydney HQ, we agree a caffeine hit at his local Bondi cafe is called for.
Much later, after an ambling, amiable chat, plus detour to collect books on order at the bookshop, we're back in the tastefully cluttered townhouse he shares with NZ artist Sue Fisher. He's more relaxed, open for business. And I've ascertained that the shy, cravat-and-cigar demeanour disguises a quirky, questing intelligence: no-flies astute, he's a benign observer whose serious mien obscures an instinctive humility, humanity and humour.
Next week, his latest book, Mr Darwin's Shooter, hits the shelves, and he's trepidatious. After all, there's a lot riding on this novel of scientific breakthrough. After 22 years of full-time writing, it's also McDonald's own breakthrough bid to attain a wider international audience. "I've wanted for some time to move outside the Australian rural/colloquial experience, not so much to prove I can write away from that but," he pauses, "I want more readers ... I wanted a book that could remain serious by my own estimate but also connect to people outside Australia."