King of Dirt cover art

King of Dirt

 Preview
Try Premium Plus free
1 credit a month to buy any audiobook in our entire collection.
Access to thousands of additional audiobooks and Originals from the Plus Catalogue.
Member-only deals & discounts.
Auto-renews at $16.45/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

King of Dirt

By: Holden Sheppard
Narrated by: Barton Welch
Try Premium Plus free

Auto-renews at $16.45/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $26.99

Buy Now for $26.99

About this listen

A gritty and heartfelt gay coming-of-age story set in the world of FIFO workers and tradies in Western Australia, from the author of the bestselling Invisible Boys

Giacomo Brolo, aka Jack, is a mess. He works piecemeal construction gigs in remote WA, drinks himself to oblivion and is estranged from his family and friends. He's consumed by a self-loathing all too common for closeted men who have grown up in a world of hate and shame.

But then Jack returns to his regional hometown of Geraldton for a family wedding. He hasn't been back since he fled at the age of eighteen, and his past soon catches up with him.

Turns out Jack's deeply conservative Italian family would prefer he remained in the closet. Then he finds out he may have conceived a son with his teenage girlfriend, and now Jack needs to convince her and her new husband that he's fit to be a father figure. And whatever happened to Xavier, the former schoolmate who Jack was in love with and whose rejection spurred him to leave Geraldton in the first place?

Is Jack doomed to live a dead-end life–or can he open himself up to the possibility of love, found family and connection?

©2025 Holden Sheppard (P)2025 W. F. Howes ltd. Coming of Age Genre Fiction Literature & Fiction Tear-jerking Thought-Provoking Heartfelt Inspiring
All stars
Most relevant
This is an epic work that truly touched my heart and soul, especially as someone who's spent time in remote Australia, it’s deeply relatable for country blokes. Raw, raunchy, and honest, Holden Sheppard uses a written voice and language that perfectly capture the fears and feelings of growing up gay in the outback. The story powerfully explores the struggle between wanting acceptance from your family and staying true to yourself, despite their expectations of who you should be. Too many young men in Australia struggle to survive these experiences, and I hope some get the chance to hear or read this incredible, honest book .... it might just save a life or two and, more importantly, give hope to young people and encourage them to be themselves, follow their hearts, and ignore what others may think. Well done, Holden ..... much appreciated!

Totally raw, honest and relatable!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I flew through this book, couldn’t stop listening. As someone who grew up gay in a big, judgmental family, I really saw myself in the character. The story is raw, real, and captures exactly what it feels like growing up in rural Australia and the impacts it has on you as an adult. I usually read fantasy to escape, but I’m so glad I gave this a try. Powerful and honest representation.

Real representation, great read!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Bellissima storia, one of the best, I’ve ever listened to. Make this one into a tv series or movie

Bellissima storia

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
As a gay kid growing up in country WA and then as an adult going mining I can attest this book is shockingly accurate in its portrayal of what it’s like. Well done Holden!!

If only I had this book when I was a teenager

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Just finished listening. Nailed that Aussie small town feeling quiet tension, footy, and drinking culture. Worth a listen. Nice hearing a story with all the cultural references of growing up in a regional town.

Reminded Me of Growing Up

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I couldn’t stop listening to this book you get all the feels I’m not a cryer can’t even remember the last time I cried but this book had me sobbing! It’s so good really hope they make a movie about it

How relatable and deep this story is it portrays my experience is such a unique way

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Holden Sheppard is an honest, unapologetic, and beautiful author. Every book I have read/listened to so far I have identified with. They evoke honest and many emotions. When I have finished one of his books I cannot wait for the next. King of Dirt is a brilliant, touching, raw and impactful story. I loved every moment of it.

Swiftly becoming my favourite author

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Unsurprisingly this book was incredible. Just like The Brink and especially Invisible Boys, this book felt like a vivid picture of Australian life that didn’t feel like it was about me until I realised it was, and I was already crying.

Unlike Invisible Boys, the low points for the protagonist here come from a much more mature place of adult despair. The teenage melodrama was replaced with the sometimes cold loneliness and indifference of the world, and I liked the way these two times of life were played alongside each other here.

When I didn’t understand Jack’s actions I found myself reflecting on how trauma makes us think and act in ways that don’t make sense, even to our own values. While Jack’s romantic world occasionally felt like a masc for masc fever dream, I always came back around to him whenever we’d see his soft side.

At this point I’ll pre-order anything Holden puts out. Great read, and well read here. Tried to have it as my going to sleep audiobook but had to stop and find time to listen in the day because I was too interested to doze off!

Thanks for another great story Holden.

A more adult classic from Holden Sheppard

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
a brilliant journey, unapologetic, relatable and crash funny! Gives closure you never thought you needed!

an unapologetic story about learning to love yourself

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
A Beautiful story. Compelling characters. Terrific narration. Binge listened to the story. So moving and enjoyable.

Cracker of a story

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
See more reviews
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.