Meet New Books
Book Cover

The Riders

Save:
Find on Amazon

"The Riders" by Tim Winton follows the story of Fred Scully, a man whose wife mysteriously disappears, leaving him and their young daughter behind. Scully embarks on a journey across Europe in search of his wife, encountering various challenges and revelations along the way. The narrative explores themes of abandonment, grief, and the complexities of family relationships. Winton's writing style is described as dark, haunting, and gripping, with vivid descriptions of landscapes and characters that immerse the reader in the emotional turmoil of the protagonist.

Characters:

The characters are richly developed, with Scully as the devoted father, Billie as a resilient child, and Jennifer as a complex figure whose motivations remain ambiguous.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is characterized by clean prose, vivid descriptions, and emotional depth, engaging readers with its atmospheric quality.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot centers on Fred Scully's desperate search for his missing wife, Jennifer, after she seemingly abandons him and their daughter in Ireland, leading them on a journey through Europe.

Setting:

The setting spans from a quaint Irish village to various locations across Europe, creating a rich backdrop for the unfolding drama.

Pacing:

Pacing is varied, with an initial slow build-up that leads to a frantic search, reflecting the mounting tension and emotional stakes.
WITH THE NORTH WIND hard at his back, Scully stood in the doorway and sniffed. The cold breeze charged into the house, finding every recess and shadowy hollow. It rattled boards upstairs and lifted sc...

Notes:

The Riders was shortlisted for the Booker Prize in 1995.
The protagonist, Fred Scully, is an Australian man who ends up fixing up a cottage in Ireland.
Scully's wife, Jennifer, disappears unexpectedly, leaving him with their daughter, Billie.
The book explores themes of love, obsession, and the complexities of relationships.
It features Scully's reflections on his past life, including their unconventional traveling lifestyle.
The narrative shifts between Scully's and Billie's perspectives as they search for Jennifer.
The title 'The Riders' refers to ghostly figures in Irish folklore, symbolizing lost hopes and dreams.
The story travels through various European locations like Greece, Paris, and Amsterdam as Scully seeks his wife.
Scully's character is described as a blue-collar worker, often underappreciated by others around him.
The book's writing style is noted for its lyrical and vivid descriptions of scenery and emotions.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Triggers may include themes of abandonment, trauma, mental health struggles, and the impact of a parent's disappearance on a child.

From The Publisher:

An exploration of marriage and the rich relationship that can exist between father and daughter, The Riders is a gorgeously wrought novel from the award-winning author Tim Winton. After traveling through Europe for two years, Scully and his wife Jennifer wind up in Ireland, and on a mystical whim of Jennifer's, buy an old farmhouse which stands in the shadow of a castle. While Scully spends weeks alone renovating the old house, Jennifer returns to Australia to liquidate their assets. When Scully arrives at Shannon Airport to pick up Jennifer and their seven-year-old daughter, Billie, it is Billie who emerges-alone. There is no note, no explanation, not so much as a word from Jennifer, and the shock has left Billie speechless. In that instant, Scully's life falls to pieces. The Riders is a superbly written and a darkly haunting story of a lovesick man in a vain search for a vanished woman. It is a powerfully accurate account of marriage today, of the demons that trouble relationships, of resurrection found in the will to keep going, in the refusal to hold on, to stand still. The Riders is also a moving story about the relationship between a loving man and his tough, bright daughter.

About the Author:

Tim Winton grew up on the coast of Western Australia, where he continues to live. He is the author of eighteen books. His epic novel Cloudstreet was adapted for the theater and has been performed around the world. His two most recent novels, Dirt Music and The Riders, were both shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize. He has won the prestigious Miles Franklin Award three times, and in 1998 the Australian National Trust declared Winton a national living treasure. The Turning has already won the 2005 Christina Stead Prize for Fiction.

 
Meet New Books is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a way for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to products and services on amazon.com and its subsidiaries.
When you click the Amazon link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commision, at no cost to you.