Perhaps a tad overrated, Tsiolkas is still hating life, earth and everyone on it - well, that's the way it comes across. He's certainlly a great writer but his tendency to make every single character's bad traits outweigh the good means it gets just a little predictable. Will admit that it's fun reading a book set in your own city, though. I thought it came across as 'Loaded''s older brother, dealing with the suburbs. And the way he writes with drugs as far more reliable than people... 
 it may be true sometimes, I not arguing that!.. but can't help thinking it seems a little heavy-handed. Having said that it was an enthralling read and I'm finding people's mixed reactions to it really interesting.