A debut novel from Rutledge, A Man and His Pride opens in Brisbane in 2017; with the same sex marriage plebiscite as it’s constant shadow in the background.

Just from reading that you can sort of get where this is going can’t you?

Yet, this is an enjoyable read that is extremally multi faceted.

The book is told from the perspective from twenty seven year old Sean Preston, who we soon come to realise is a narrator that is just a wee bit unreliable.

He is a social media moderator for a major Australian bank (LOL at the barely hidden reference to who the bank actually is), and you can tell he barely likes the job- hell even saying he tolerates it is a slight exaggeration. When the novel opens you get the strong impression that Sean is a typical lazy gay- only caring about looks and the next shag.

But as the book develops, Sean becomes more nuanced; there’s secrets in his past and while it’s not drawn out too much, you are eager to find out what they are.

Along the way, Sean has a “relationship” breakup, moves out, confronts some demons and has an unexpected friendship develop.

All the while the same sex marriage plebiscite is brewing in the background, providing a steady undercurrent of background noise of distrust and unease which bubbles over in the discussions had between different characters.

An unusual read I must admit as I found Sean on a whole to be totally unlikeable, this debut novel is well worth a read as it’s another talented Australian writer I’m looking forward to supporting in the future.

Rating- 4 out of 5 stars.