The Norseman's Song

An ancient man without a past hails a taxi driven by a petty criminal with no future. Reluctantly, the pair embarks on a journey in search of a legendary whaler and murderer known only as the Norseman. This is a one-way trip - but who's taking who for a ride?

The Norseman's Song is a stylish blend of gothic mystery and modern crime noir. Evoking the spirit of Joseph Conrad and Edgar Allan Poe, Joel Deane creates a violent and lyrical vision of contemporary Australia with the pace and energy of a road movie and the haunting atmosphere of a nightmare.

'This is beautifully written crime noir by a writer in total command of his craft. A gripping, yet lyrical, read' - Big Issue

'A bold unfolding of a succession of nightmares issuing from probable truths and feverish imaginings, a striking juxtaposition of legendary past and seedy present ... Deane belongs to a long line of yarn spinners in Australian fiction from Henry Lawson to Frank Hardy to Peter Carey and beyond.' - Sydney Morning Herald

'Deane puts a new spin on the gothic tradition, with Australian flavours peppering this dark tale.' - Herald Sun

'Joel Deane blends contemporary noir and historical gothic in a fast-paced thrillercum- road-novel. A cracking piece of Aussie literature.' - Andy Murdoch, MX

Joel Deane is a poet, novelist, and speechwriter. He is the author of Catch and Kill: The Politics of Power; two novels, Judas Boys and Another; three collections of poetry, Year of the Wasp, Magisterium, and Subterranean Radio Songs. A former speech-writer to Victorian Premiers Steve Bracks and John Brumby, his work has been shortlisted for the Prime Minister's Literary Award, the Melbourne Prize for Literature, the Queensland Literary Awards, the John Bray Poetry Award, and the Vincent Buckley Prize.

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