Keepers of Light

Unbeknown to ninety-four-year-old Best Douglas, his Doctor is trying to kill him under a recently passed euthanasia law. At age eight, Best witnessed his mother drown off the rock shelves of Thurrough Beach. Soon after he experienced strange visions. Were they the result of a wounded boy’s mind, or something more profound designed to help him and ultimately humanity? Against a backdrop of rich Australian heritage, the novel strips bare the pivotal events of Best’s life: his obscure aboriginal and convict ancestry; the curious Hole of Thurrough Beach; the tragic losses of loved ones; his budding friendship with Daniel “Oak Legs” Finbar – the war veteran; his unique relationship with Orion, the Nursing Home’s paper boy; and Doctor Fiona Gerard, the lone voice against his death. Can they all combine to protect Best from sinister forces and give meaning to his life in old age? In his debut novel Keepers of Light, Chris Salmon brings an authentic Australian voice to his loveable characters. Genuine, humorous, and at times downright funny, this book is a heart-warmer. Presenting issues such as ageing, euthanasia, and the collision of cultures caused by British settlement, the work is also deeply thought-provoking. Keepers of Light has the ability to reach across the generations and touch the heart of every Australian.