Published in 1964 this is the tale of two con men Wes Pennington and Cyril Kidman, who arrive in a small North island town to rip off a local bookmaker. We have sex, arson and murder as well
Along the way several locals get entwined in this plan.
The story is a great expose of the underbelly of many small towns especially in the 60's where there was nothing to do except gamble and drink.
Morriesin, who died in 1972, from what I have read, was not popular because of this exposing of the New Zealand way of life which went on in every town but was not spoken about i.e the drinking, the domestic violence. And it appears he has not gained in popularity either, which is a shame because he is a very good writer.
I also presume that he is not trendy enough to be picked up and taught at university because of his subject matter.
This story apart from its title bears no relation to the truly atrocious film made in the 1980's. The film set out to be some sort of madcap comedy, whereas this novel is disturbing and sad . A good novel, not just a good New Zealand novel
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