"LIFE BEFORE DEATH" BY MATT FREND

*SYNOPSIS:* There’s something you need to know - there's more to life than living. A road trip across the wilds of the Northern Territory, Australia, is a spirited ride through late-twentieth century Australian counter culture. Then an event occurs which gives an insight into the other side of life itself, and provides a message. A message which resolves the ultimate unknown – why are we here?" This is an entertaining tale about unemployed young people who decided that they have enough of the governmental bureaucracy deciding to go into a venture together; create a hash farm in the sticks of Australia. This author has taken the beauty, mystery images of Australia, the politic climate, the anti-social views and other elements of what the young people believe in and created an fun and entertaining story about a journey, the lifestyle and the people these young people meet along the way and the events and incidents they dealt with along starting and accomplishing their business venture.. It has descriptive details of the landscape, the weather, the times they were homeless and found residences be it a stone archway while waiting a fierce storm or a horse stable cottage. How they met with other interested partners and started to break the law but not according to the philosophies they set off on an adventure of a lifetime. They swim in rivers with creatures, travelled the back roads, survive fierce weather and other conditions to make their dream come a reality. There is suspense, drama and excitement wrapped up in this imaginary story and if you like to venture out of the safety of your country and go into another land through a book, this author has the talent to describe all the details to bring the reader into the scene through the character’s eyes. The characters are a cheeky bunch and colorful, easy to bond with. They lived their lives in the moment from fighting crocodiles to training horses and other daily activities. They also experiment with their product and experiences visions and out of body sensations which enhance and/or blow their minds at the same time. This author has deep insight, symbolism and defines the mysteries of life in this 192 page pack psychological tale. The friends lead a care-free life yet live on the edge because the police are aware of their activities and they have to stay one step ahead at all times. I read this as a reviewer and a reader the only negative is some paragraphs are too long but I am aware that this story is in the process of being editing at this moment. This is an in depth and entertaining story about a decade when the youth of Australia faced many harsh storms and stay strong and developed their own lifestyles to survive and awakened their minds to the mysterious meaning of life.