Omega Park is a housing commission estate on the fringes of Queensland's Gold Coast. Dingo Patterson and Jacob Box are growing up and trying to survive.
Surrounded by broken families, crime and desperation, they are young men with dreams of a different life. When a car chase ends in tragedy for one of the boys, relations with police and within the community reach crisis point.
Amy Barker tells a sobering tale of modern warfare in the suburbs with confidence and assurance. This striking debut novel explores how life on society's margins can mean the end of the road for some, and offer the possibility of escape for others.
'Omega Park is an engaging read and exerts a considerable narrative grip. This tour through the dark underside of the Gold Coast is eye-opening and ultimately satisfying. Australian Literature Review
'Omega Park is a powerful first novel.' Bookseller + Publisher
'Amy Barker has written a gently fierce story that is one of the best novels of this year.' Courier Mail
'The strength of Barker's debut resides in her unflinching descriptions of Omega Park and her evident yet clear-eyed sympathy for those trapped within its confines.' Weekend Australian
'This is not the Gold Coast of the tourism ads and postcards, but is a representation of the cold reality of every modern city.' Gold Coast Bulletin.
'Amy Barker's impressive debut novel …' Sydney Morning Herald
'Barker won the Queensland Premier's Literary Award for Best Emerging Author in 2008, and judging by Omega Park it was well deserved. I'll be fascinated to see what other stories she has to tell.' Canberra Times
'Not only superbly written in a bluntly honest tone, it illustrates a true picture of how difficult life and growing up can be … an impressive voice …written in a masterful way … Omega Park … may go a long way in making society take a necessary look at how things are being run and the things we can do to change them. Read Omega Park and get a different perspective; read Omega Park and change yourself.' Viewpoint
'A fine cautionary tale … ' Sydney Morning Herald