About Greg Bastian's Novels

My books are gritty, provocative stories seasoned with themes of social justice, authority and emerging sexuality. I have published four novels for young adults, two non-fiction titles, numerous articles, stories, letters and an anthology of stories in English by a class of Korean University students.

The Great Secondhand Supper (1989)

Jason Washington is learning to become a writer – fast! He and his family have left the stifling life of the city to open a new restaurant in the old courthouse of sleepy Gum Flats. However, small town rivalries and family tensions threaten the Washingtons with emotional and financial disaster. With the lucrative prize he hopes to win with his short story, ‘The Great Secondhand Supper’, Jason plans to secure a bright future for his family. A vivacious schoolmate, a kindly newsagent with a secret, and a shonky developer all play a part in this exciting and humorous story of Jason’s development into a writer with a promising future. See the first page

Lies and Alibis (1992)

Is Hamish a fire-bug, or is he the victim of a conspiracy? When the local police get involved, he is ostracized by teachers and parents – and hero-worshipped by most of his class, including the adorable Rachel. It is gripping story. You won’t know who is starting the fires or how Hamish’s story will end until the final pages, which are very moving. This story conveys strongly the importance of parental love and support for even the most rebellious teenagers. It is a gripping story. See the first page

Reviews:

A very gripping story...an excellent read...Bastian keeps you on tenterhooks for the whole novel. Leon Trainor, The Australian
Perceptive insight is given into the character of an intelligent, disturbed adolescent. The denoument is unexpected and satisfying. This well-crafted and beautifully written novel is an engrossing read from page one. Australian Association for the Study of English.
...cleverly contrived...a well constructed and intriguing novel.Scan (NSW Dept of Education)

Reviews:

A story which is always engaging. Australian Book Review
An outstanding new Australian novel...a restrained, wry humour. (Sydney Morning Herald).
All the characters are portrayed realistically, with perception and humour...good Australian material to include in wide reading. - Scan (NSW Dept. of Education)
A well-written and engaging novel...highly recommended. Language Arts Resource Centre
Humour and tension feature in the unravelling of situations developed in this well-written teenage novel. Queensland. Dept. of Education

Ride the Tiger (2003)

This story is a fast-paced psychological thriller about a boy who takes to the road in search of redemption. Crime, passion and prejudice drive the adventure to an exciting ending and the main character learns the hard way that equality and social justice aren't God-given rights but must be fought for and won. It is a tough book with a wry sense of humour and a lively pace. See the first page

Hanwriting

This anthology of stories in English by students of Sogang University in Seoul is a delightfully eclectic collection of Korean-flavoured short fiction. The stories were produced as part of a creative writing course delivered by Greg while he was the university’s writer-in-residence during 2003. Writing in a second language invariably introduces innovative means of expression and development of ideas. This anthology is thus a refreshing, amusing and significant collection.

Reviews:

A well-written, pacy rite of passage novel, with many interesting issues of rights and responsibilities, both personal and social. Magpie Magazine
It is great to read a novel for young adults that tackles such important themes as youth homelessness, poverty, unemployment, mental health and drug addiction. Erica Irvin, Penguin Australia