Life Underwater by Ken Barris

Simon Machabeus is the second of three brothers. He dives – for oysters, to spearfish, and for the calm and horror of the underwater world. Eli is the youngest brother. He is the chronicler of the family; he reads, and watches. Then there is Jude, the first-born: guitarist, perfectionist, and force of nature.

The Beatles, the Beach Boys and the Rolling Stones play on the radio – this is childhood in Port Elizabeth in the late 1960s. But under the surface of Machabeus’ family life, conflicts seethe until at last they erupt.

Life Underwater is a compelling, visceral chronicle of a family, by award-wining poet and novelist Ken Barris.