The Infernal Optimist

Zeki Togan may have been born in the Old Country, but he considers himself as Aussie Aussie Aussie oi oi oi as the next bloke. More so, in fact, because he’s a crim — since Australia was founded by convicts, he reckons he’s more Australian than people who were born here but haven’t committed even one crime in their whole lives.

Unfortunately, the Department of Immigration sees things differently.

And so the happy-go-lucky, wisecracking Zeki, a small-time break-and-enter artist who loves Australia even if he can’t stand Australian movies, finds himself in Immigration Detention, thrown in with asylum seekers, sex slaves, other criminals and visa overstayers.

Immigration wants to deport him — and his own father doesn’t think that’s a bad idea. Worst of all, although he adores his girlfriend, Marlena, he’s having a hell of a time proving it from the wrong side of a double fence.

Linda Jaivin’s stunning new novel crackles with energy, humour and compassion.