King of Dirt cover art

King of Dirt

 Preview
Try Standard free
Select 1 audiobook a month from our entire collection.
Listen to your selected audiobooks as long as you're a member.
Auto-renews at $8.99/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

King of Dirt

By: Holden Sheppard
Narrated by: Barton Welch
Try Standard free

Auto-renews at $8.99/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.
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.
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.
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.
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.