Is anything off-limits in public debate?

The novel tells the story of Eli Bell, a young boy growing up in the western suburbs of Brisbane in 1983. Eli's life is marked by family dysfunction, with a mother in jail, a stepfather involved in drug dealing, and a mute brother, August. The story involves Eli's attempts to rescue his mother from jail, his interactions with a notorious drug dealer, Tytus Broz, and his blossoming friendship with a journalist named Caitlyn Spies. The book blends elements of crime, suspense, and magical realism, exploring themes of love, hope, and the struggle to become a good person despite adverse circumstances.