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King of Dirt

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King of Dirt

By: Holden Sheppard
Narrated by: Barton Welch
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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 Heartfelt
All stars
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A Beautiful story. Compelling characters. Terrific narration. Binge listened to the story. So moving and enjoyable.

Cracker of a story

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This book was really hard to put down … really relatable and an all round great read … narrated to perfection!!

Narrator was fantastic… great story!!!

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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

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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

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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

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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

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A circuitous path through the life of Jack, but I think there’s some of most of us here. Hooked at the first chapter and wanted to listen continuously through the whole story. Beautifully brought to life by Barton. I can’t wait for the next book from Holden, especially if it’s narrated by Barton. Highly recommended, just have some tissues ready

Moving, bare and honest

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What a journey this book takes you on. The main character Jack, wow does he have a rollercoaster of a journey. I really resonated with several elements in this story and even shed a tear in the chapter “godfather”.

Incredible story arc

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Holden Sheppard’s King of Dirt is raw, gripping, and emotionally charged. A powerful exploration of identity, masculinity, and survival. Unflinching and unforgettable—Sheppard has nailed it again.

Always a great read

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Thank you Holden for telling our stories. These are tough stories for some to hear.

The brutal honesty

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