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The Campers
An engrossing and provocative exploration of privilege, hypocrisy and justice by the bestselling author of The Cane.
Leah has a good life. She lives on The Drove, an inner-city cul-de-sac, with her husband Moses and their two children. She and her neighbours - the drovers - look out for each other. Theirs is a safe, community-oriented enclave and that's the way it's going to stay.
When itinerants set up camp in 'their' park, some of the drovers are unsettled, some are outraged, and all of them want the campers to move on. Not even Sholto, the campers' charismatic leader, can put their fears to rest.
Why is Sholto - handsome, charming and apparently with other options - living in a tent, and why has he chosen to pitch it beside The Drove? And why is Leah tempted to put her family and her comfortable life at risk when Sholto turns his wolf-like gaze towards her?
A compelling and revealing novel, The Campers shows what neighbours will do when threats of the unknown and unmanageable come too close for comfort.
Leah has a good life. She lives on The Drove, an inner-city cul-de-sac, with her husband Moses and their two children. She and her neighbours - the drovers - look out for each other. Theirs is a safe, community-oriented enclave and that's the way it's going to stay.
When itinerants set up camp in 'their' park, some of the drovers are unsettled, some are outraged, and all of them want the campers to move on. Not even Sholto, the campers' charismatic leader, can put their fears to rest.
Why is Sholto - handsome, charming and apparently with other options - living in a tent, and why has he chosen to pitch it beside The Drove? And why is Leah tempted to put her family and her comfortable life at risk when Sholto turns his wolf-like gaze towards her?
A compelling and revealing novel, The Campers shows what neighbours will do when threats of the unknown and unmanageable come too close for comfort.
336 pages, Paperback
Published February 4, 2025
14 people are currently reading
176 people want to read
About the author
Maryrose Cuskelly
6 books25 followersMaryrose Cuskelly is a writer of fiction and non-fiction.
She is the best-selling author of The Cane (Allen & Uwin 2022), shortlisted for best debut in the 2023 Davitt Awards.
In 2019, her book Wedderburn: A True Tale of Blood and Dust (Allen & Unwin, 2018), was longlisted for Best Debut and Best True Crime in the 2019 Davitt Awards.
In 2016, she was awarded the New England Thunderbolt Prize for Crime Writing (non-fiction) for her essay on the 1972 abduction and murder of Marilyn Wallman.
She is the author of Original Skin: Exploring the Marvels of the Human Hide (Scribe 2010) and The End of Charity: Time for Social Enterprise (Allen & Unwin 2008) co-written with Nic Frances, and winner of the Iremonger Award for Writing on Public Issues.
Her essays and articles have been published in a range of magazines, journals, and newspapers, including Crikey, The Age, The Australian and The Melbourne Magazine.
She has twice been awarded fellowships at Varuna, the National Writers’ House, most recently in 2020 for her novel The Campers, which will be published by Allen & Unwin in early 2025.
She lives in Melbourne with her husband and their two sons.
She is the best-selling author of The Cane (Allen & Uwin 2022), shortlisted for best debut in the 2023 Davitt Awards.
In 2019, her book Wedderburn: A True Tale of Blood and Dust (Allen & Unwin, 2018), was longlisted for Best Debut and Best True Crime in the 2019 Davitt Awards.
In 2016, she was awarded the New England Thunderbolt Prize for Crime Writing (non-fiction) for her essay on the 1972 abduction and murder of Marilyn Wallman.
She is the author of Original Skin: Exploring the Marvels of the Human Hide (Scribe 2010) and The End of Charity: Time for Social Enterprise (Allen & Unwin 2008) co-written with Nic Frances, and winner of the Iremonger Award for Writing on Public Issues.
Her essays and articles have been published in a range of magazines, journals, and newspapers, including Crikey, The Age, The Australian and The Melbourne Magazine.
She has twice been awarded fellowships at Varuna, the National Writers’ House, most recently in 2020 for her novel The Campers, which will be published by Allen & Unwin in early 2025.
She lives in Melbourne with her husband and their two sons.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
February 1, 2025
The Campers was completely not what I expected! I had it down as a psychological thriller - it was far from that. A group of people living in a quiet street called The Drove - hence the residents called themselves the drovers - with a community park nearby, gradually had campers pitching tents, cooking fires in 44 gallon drums, loud music and parties. The drovers were not impressed. The head camper - Sholto - was a handsome man, charismatic but homeless. He was out to cause trouble - and he did.
Leah, her husband Moses and their two small children, Fleur and Harley, lived at one end of The Drove, and Leah felt a small fission of attraction to the leader. But with what was happening at the park, the police being called often, the damage done to cars and homes, and then Leah badly injured when a bottle was thrown in her direction - what would happen to the campers; to the families living in The Drove?
The Campers by Aussie author Maryrose Cuskelly was not for me. I didn't like any of the characters; couldn't get into the story - even after realising it wasn't the book I thought it was - so although I read it to the end, it didn't improve.
With thanks to NetGalley & Allen & Unwin AU for my digital ARC to read and review.
Leah, her husband Moses and their two small children, Fleur and Harley, lived at one end of The Drove, and Leah felt a small fission of attraction to the leader. But with what was happening at the park, the police being called often, the damage done to cars and homes, and then Leah badly injured when a bottle was thrown in her direction - what would happen to the campers; to the families living in The Drove?
The Campers by Aussie author Maryrose Cuskelly was not for me. I didn't like any of the characters; couldn't get into the story - even after realising it wasn't the book I thought it was - so although I read it to the end, it didn't improve.
With thanks to NetGalley & Allen & Unwin AU for my digital ARC to read and review.
August 17, 2025
I thought this was going to be a good book, but alas it was not read if you like tropes on climate Change Indigenous owning everything we stand on .. no am not racist but do we have to hear continuously about the aboriginals owning land?????
This was not for me at all luckily I listened to the audio very boring.🥱
This was not for me at all luckily I listened to the audio very boring.🥱
July 12, 2025
3.5 stars
A compelling, character-driven story exploring personal ethics, privilege, hypocrisy, prejudice and mob mentality.
Set within an inner-city cul-de-sac, where all the neighbors of 'the Drove' look out for each other. This is until a group of 'itinerants' set up camp on 'their' spot. Some of 'the Drovers' are outraged, others are unsettled and simply want the campers to move on.
What follows is a tense exploration of community conflict, challenging societal norms and power imbalances.
This is a timely story, given the current housing crisis.
I was fortunate to access the audiobook, which is well narrated by Brigid Gallacher.
Format: Audiobook, thanks to Libby
Audio time: 8hours, 15minutes
A compelling, character-driven story exploring personal ethics, privilege, hypocrisy, prejudice and mob mentality.
Set within an inner-city cul-de-sac, where all the neighbors of 'the Drove' look out for each other. This is until a group of 'itinerants' set up camp on 'their' spot. Some of 'the Drovers' are outraged, others are unsettled and simply want the campers to move on.
What follows is a tense exploration of community conflict, challenging societal norms and power imbalances.
This is a timely story, given the current housing crisis.
I was fortunate to access the audiobook, which is well narrated by Brigid Gallacher.
Format: Audiobook, thanks to Libby
Audio time: 8hours, 15minutes
February 14, 2025
⭐️4 Stars⭐️
The Campers by Maryrose Cuskelly looks at how a group of neighbours living in a small cosy cul-de-sac are impacted by the arrival of a group of homeless people camping in ‘their’ local park.
The plot mainly centres around Leah and her husband Moses. There are a diverse range of characters which made for an interesting storyline. The leader of the campers is charismatic and has Leah wondering why someone like Sholto finds himself living in a tent.
The story explores themes of privilege, prejudice and human nature and the lengths people will go to protect their street. The book is cleverly written on such a relevant topic considering today’s housing crisis. I found the story thought-provoking and it certainly makes you wonder how you would react if this happened in your neighbourhood.
Publication Day 04 February 2025
Publisher Allen & Unwin
Thanks to @dmcprmedia @allenandunwin @maryrosecuskelly for having me along on the social media tour and for a copy of the book
The Campers by Maryrose Cuskelly looks at how a group of neighbours living in a small cosy cul-de-sac are impacted by the arrival of a group of homeless people camping in ‘their’ local park.
The plot mainly centres around Leah and her husband Moses. There are a diverse range of characters which made for an interesting storyline. The leader of the campers is charismatic and has Leah wondering why someone like Sholto finds himself living in a tent.
The story explores themes of privilege, prejudice and human nature and the lengths people will go to protect their street. The book is cleverly written on such a relevant topic considering today’s housing crisis. I found the story thought-provoking and it certainly makes you wonder how you would react if this happened in your neighbourhood.
Publication Day 04 February 2025
Publisher Allen & Unwin
Thanks to @dmcprmedia @allenandunwin @maryrosecuskelly for having me along on the social media tour and for a copy of the book
February 17, 2025
Big thanks to Allen & Unwin for sending us a copy to read and review.
Desperate Housewives meets Neighbours in a riveting read that makes you ponder how you would react if an itinerant camp was established near your home.
Your home is an investment, it is your safe place and it’s where community can build.
If undermined how far would you go to protect it?
Leah and her family live in the upmarket cul de sac known as the Drove.
Neighbours know each other, share special occasions and keep each other updated on a group chat.
An eclectic and diverse mix that seems coherent until the status quo is threatened.
The campers are living in tents and all have their reasons for being homeless.
They are led by the handsome and enigmatic Sholto.
His motives and charm a facade.
Breakaway bad behaviour creating a chasm of ill will between the residents and them.
Relationships cracks, betrayal, friendship and anarchy illuminate the tensions in the area.
You feel the emotions and challenges facing the residents and how people deal with conflict, both physically and online.
I was captivated as it spiralled towards its climax.
I hope the book tour bus doesn’t stop long in Drovers as the neighbours will get antsy.
Desperate Housewives meets Neighbours in a riveting read that makes you ponder how you would react if an itinerant camp was established near your home.
Your home is an investment, it is your safe place and it’s where community can build.
If undermined how far would you go to protect it?
Leah and her family live in the upmarket cul de sac known as the Drove.
Neighbours know each other, share special occasions and keep each other updated on a group chat.
An eclectic and diverse mix that seems coherent until the status quo is threatened.
The campers are living in tents and all have their reasons for being homeless.
They are led by the handsome and enigmatic Sholto.
His motives and charm a facade.
Breakaway bad behaviour creating a chasm of ill will between the residents and them.
Relationships cracks, betrayal, friendship and anarchy illuminate the tensions in the area.
You feel the emotions and challenges facing the residents and how people deal with conflict, both physically and online.
I was captivated as it spiralled towards its climax.
I hope the book tour bus doesn’t stop long in Drovers as the neighbours will get antsy.
February 23, 2025
And interesting look at privilege and poverty and our prejudices - it took me a bit to get into this one not sure why but in the end finished it quickly (although I could of done with another chapter or an epilogue to resolve a few things)
March 19, 2025
This was a good story, although a bit unbelievable. I enjoyed it until the very end. It didn't have an ending it just stopped
February 22, 2025
Captivating start, too many pages in the middle and a concerning ending (character behaviour concerning)...
I wanted to love this, but I felt like it didn't really get up off the ground.
Granted, this book raises a number of social issues and the behaviour of humans being questionable, but it wasn't enough for me to love it...
I wanted to love this, but I felt like it didn't really get up off the ground.
Granted, this book raises a number of social issues and the behaviour of humans being questionable, but it wasn't enough for me to love it...
February 19, 2025
This book was not what I was expecting. There was a lot of built-up sexual tension for a simple look or touch, yet the shed scene didn't have the same lust or excitement. I feel like there was no emotion and it was built up to fizzle out too quickly.
I enjoyed the character Vivian, learning about her tough life and work-hard attitude. There were a few characters that were left unresolved. Is there another book coming? I felt like Sholto, Miguel, Leah and Moses were unresolved. I felt like the novel wasn't finished.
I received an ARC copy and am leaving this review voluntarily.
I enjoyed the character Vivian, learning about her tough life and work-hard attitude. There were a few characters that were left unresolved. Is there another book coming? I felt like Sholto, Miguel, Leah and Moses were unresolved. I felt like the novel wasn't finished.
I received an ARC copy and am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 5, 2025
3 1/2 stars. Domestic drama! Not as good as 'The Cane' for me. A simmering tension throughout that never felt like it reached it's peak before petering out. Interesting circumstances/issues raised around privilege, relationships and communities. The most entertaining bits for me were the neighbourhood notice group, with a bit of comic relief in the different posts!
February 13, 2025
The Drove.
A natural haven right in the heart of suburbia.
A quiet street, a quaint cul-de-sac.
The lucky few house owners, whose houses front bush land and are adorned by paddock and creek, collectively calling themselves ‘The drovers’.
Life is good.
Until one day, campers set up by the creek.
Homeless people. Houseless people. Wanderers. Vagabonds.
And just like that, their close knit community is ruffled. Their prized patch is infiltrated.
What a fascinating concept.
How everyone is so socially conscious, empathetic and righteous - until it is literally in their frontyard.
Led by the enigmatic Sholto (think Johnny Depp, Pirates of the Caribbean) the campers are soon settled in to stay.
Drover Leah (what a complex lass) leads our narrative as a cascading series of events upheaves all.
I loved reading this from a ‘what would I do/what would I feel/what would I say’ angle.
It was hard to judge the characters too harshly when you aren’t placed there, in their situation.
The ending had a bit of ambiguity. Ninety percent of the time I hate a ‘1 year later’ epilogue but this time I would have loved one, to see where everything landed when the dust settled.
A beautifully composed exploration of a complex subject.
‘I hope I don’t ever become the sort of person who just walks past someone they could easily help.’
Thank you to @dmcprmedia @allenandunwin and @maryrosecuskelly for a gifted copy of the novel in exchange for an honest review and for including me in #thecampers book tour.
A natural haven right in the heart of suburbia.
A quiet street, a quaint cul-de-sac.
The lucky few house owners, whose houses front bush land and are adorned by paddock and creek, collectively calling themselves ‘The drovers’.
Life is good.
Until one day, campers set up by the creek.
Homeless people. Houseless people. Wanderers. Vagabonds.
And just like that, their close knit community is ruffled. Their prized patch is infiltrated.
What a fascinating concept.
How everyone is so socially conscious, empathetic and righteous - until it is literally in their frontyard.
Led by the enigmatic Sholto (think Johnny Depp, Pirates of the Caribbean) the campers are soon settled in to stay.
Drover Leah (what a complex lass) leads our narrative as a cascading series of events upheaves all.
I loved reading this from a ‘what would I do/what would I feel/what would I say’ angle.
It was hard to judge the characters too harshly when you aren’t placed there, in their situation.
The ending had a bit of ambiguity. Ninety percent of the time I hate a ‘1 year later’ epilogue but this time I would have loved one, to see where everything landed when the dust settled.
A beautifully composed exploration of a complex subject.
‘I hope I don’t ever become the sort of person who just walks past someone they could easily help.’
Thank you to @dmcprmedia @allenandunwin and @maryrosecuskelly for a gifted copy of the novel in exchange for an honest review and for including me in #thecampers book tour.
January 31, 2025
The Campers was an unexpected but wholly engrossing read. I jumped in expecting conflict, crime, drama, but instead got caught up in this simmering, discomfiting, but fascinating study of privilege, social justice and morality.
Told entirely from Leah’s perspective, I felt almost claustrophobic as I questioned her choices, and pondered on my own. The pacing is excellent, and the tension builds slowly and deliberately until it almost feels like a suburban Lord of the Flies. The writing is captivating, and author doesn’t shy away from exploring the hypocrisy that evolves in this neighbourhood dispute. The Aussie setting is beautifully and authentically described, with a feeling that that this could happen in our very backyard.
Reminiscent of The Slap and Big Little Lies, I’d recommend The Campers for anyone looking for a compelling and intriguing read.
Thank you Allen & Unwin for a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed are my own.
Told entirely from Leah’s perspective, I felt almost claustrophobic as I questioned her choices, and pondered on my own. The pacing is excellent, and the tension builds slowly and deliberately until it almost feels like a suburban Lord of the Flies. The writing is captivating, and author doesn’t shy away from exploring the hypocrisy that evolves in this neighbourhood dispute. The Aussie setting is beautifully and authentically described, with a feeling that that this could happen in our very backyard.
Reminiscent of The Slap and Big Little Lies, I’d recommend The Campers for anyone looking for a compelling and intriguing read.
Thank you Allen & Unwin for a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed are my own.
August 31, 2025
Honestly not a lot goes on in this book. There is action and drama, but nothing in depth or exciting. I think my only enjoyment of this book came from know it’s part of our book club read and we’ll get to share about it.
March 7, 2025
This is a modern day Australian fiction novel. It’s set in the Drove, a suburban hidden enclave near a piece of bush land and open ground. On this patch arrive the campers, a small group of homeless people who really upset the close knit community.
The novel reminded me of The Slap, there’s lots of tension between groups of friends and neighbours. Conflict grows, there’s a menacing feeling , all involved will be affected, main character Leah most of all.
It’s fast paced, yet manages to develop depth and detail in its depiction of dissatisfaction, anger, envy, and isolation as damaging aspects of society.
I enjoyed it a lot.
The novel reminded me of The Slap, there’s lots of tension between groups of friends and neighbours. Conflict grows, there’s a menacing feeling , all involved will be affected, main character Leah most of all.
It’s fast paced, yet manages to develop depth and detail in its depiction of dissatisfaction, anger, envy, and isolation as damaging aspects of society.
I enjoyed it a lot.
March 7, 2025
A good psychological novel
May 25, 2025
The Drove is a pleasant imner city cul-de-sac that houses "the drovers." The occupants look out for one another and the wellbeing of the street. Life seems almost idyllic. That is until a group of campers create a tent city in the park within The Drove. Some neighbours want to help, some want them gone but everyone wants their street back to the way it was.
For some reason, this book seemed like it was set somewhere like Bellingen, not an inner city. I don't know why. It was just a vibe that I got. I also felt that the drama between the drovers and the campers became too "bold and the beautiful" at times. In saying that, this book certainly shone a light on the realities of the cost of living and homelessness, which are two very important and contemporary issues that Australia is facing. This is not my favourite book, but I didn't mind it.
For some reason, this book seemed like it was set somewhere like Bellingen, not an inner city. I don't know why. It was just a vibe that I got. I also felt that the drama between the drovers and the campers became too "bold and the beautiful" at times. In saying that, this book certainly shone a light on the realities of the cost of living and homelessness, which are two very important and contemporary issues that Australia is facing. This is not my favourite book, but I didn't mind it.
July 16, 2025
I really enjoyed this book, it touches on many current aspects of life today including homelessness and social justice. The second book from Maryrose Cuskelly
February 25, 2025
There are so many characters (all horrible) to keep track of in this rather bland suburban thriller??? all of whom served no purpose. The writing style - overly descriptive of the utterly mundane - inspires tedium rather than tension. The ending’s decent into madness was just ridiculous. Not what I expected at all.
February 25, 2025
A bored suburban housewife has her peaceful neighbourhood disrupted by the arrival of a group of homeless people who set up camp near their quiet street.
The writing flowed beautifully, but I found it hard to engage in the story or connect with any of the characters.
The writing flowed beautifully, but I found it hard to engage in the story or connect with any of the characters.
February 25, 2025
I actually went into this one knowing it was not a thriller or even domestic suspense, but an exploration of the clash between well-off homeowners and the itinerants who set up camp at the end of their street. I was interested in this because it is a similar situation to my own. I'm not in a well-off area, but I own my home, and we have a real problem with itinerant campers and vagrants who set themselves up nearby and inevitably soon cause trouble. A little biased, I know, but I thought I might get some what-would-I-do-in-this-situation vibes from the story.
Instead, I got a story about a horny woman with awful decision-making skills having a midlife crisis.
Leah McKenzie is married to a man 15 years older than her. She has two kids. She has been a stay-at-home mum for more than the usual one-year maternity leave and her husband wants her to go back to work because finances are thin. But Leah is adrift in life and doesn't know if this is for her and work is just too much and yada yada yada. When campers set up at the end of the street, Leah is initially as perturbed as her neighbours, who dub themselves the "drovers".
The leader of the campers is Sholto, who is a homeless hottie. But is he really homeless? He seems to have chosen this lifestyle, unlike some of the others. Even though Leah is injured by a mysteriously thrown bottle, and other acts of vandalism occur on the street, Leah's itch below the navel for Sholto is so overpowering that she's happy to overlook all that to engage in light flirtation with him, and even go so far as to consider threatening her marriage and upscale life.
Ugh. This was a frustrating read. I didn't get Leah's motivations at all. She was totally pathetic. Her avoidance at going back to her work, her clingyness around her baby son and her obsession with Sholto all painted her as very immature and selfish and I couldn't get on side with her. Sholto is described as very masculine and hot, yet has dreadlocks and likes to wear skirts. Huh??? Leah wants to give up her athletic, intelligent, silver fox husband for that?
It would have been nice to get more of an insight into the other neighbours. I could recognise the typical attitude of upper middle-class people trying to be understanding of homelessness but secretly wishing these campers would actually just go away. Their attempts at being "woke" were amusing. But there simply wasn't enough of the neighbours, so we're just stuck in Leah's wishy-washy brain as she makes one dumb decision after another. There also wasn't enough exploration of the frustration at the authorities not doing much because the campers technically weren't breaking any laws. It felt like an easy way out to minimise the campers' behaviour and try to make them more sympathetic. There would have been more suspense if the camping was illegal and the authorities still couldn't do anything - which is the case where I am.
I was also frustrated by the fallback on the old trope of homeless people being harmless, charming vagabonds with a hard life. We're supposed to see some of the neighbours' views on homeless people being violent drug addicts as an entitled, outdated outlook, when it really is not. All of the campers here are people who have just been hard done by, and it wasn't a believable or realistic portrayal. The book's viewpoint doesn't even seem to condemn some of their outright criminal behaviour!
Also, there's no real wrap-up or explanation of what went down. It's all left up in the air, and I DETEST that. Wrap up your own book FFS.
I didn't really enjoy this. I was following the actions of an idiot intent on destroying her own life, and did not get the exploration of the culture clash and how that would play out that the book blurb promised.
Instead, I got a story about a horny woman with awful decision-making skills having a midlife crisis.
Leah McKenzie is married to a man 15 years older than her. She has two kids. She has been a stay-at-home mum for more than the usual one-year maternity leave and her husband wants her to go back to work because finances are thin. But Leah is adrift in life and doesn't know if this is for her and work is just too much and yada yada yada. When campers set up at the end of the street, Leah is initially as perturbed as her neighbours, who dub themselves the "drovers".
The leader of the campers is Sholto, who is a homeless hottie. But is he really homeless? He seems to have chosen this lifestyle, unlike some of the others. Even though Leah is injured by a mysteriously thrown bottle, and other acts of vandalism occur on the street, Leah's itch below the navel for Sholto is so overpowering that she's happy to overlook all that to engage in light flirtation with him, and even go so far as to consider threatening her marriage and upscale life.
Ugh. This was a frustrating read. I didn't get Leah's motivations at all. She was totally pathetic. Her avoidance at going back to her work, her clingyness around her baby son and her obsession with Sholto all painted her as very immature and selfish and I couldn't get on side with her. Sholto is described as very masculine and hot, yet has dreadlocks and likes to wear skirts. Huh??? Leah wants to give up her athletic, intelligent, silver fox husband for that?
It would have been nice to get more of an insight into the other neighbours. I could recognise the typical attitude of upper middle-class people trying to be understanding of homelessness but secretly wishing these campers would actually just go away. Their attempts at being "woke" were amusing. But there simply wasn't enough of the neighbours, so we're just stuck in Leah's wishy-washy brain as she makes one dumb decision after another. There also wasn't enough exploration of the frustration at the authorities not doing much because the campers technically weren't breaking any laws. It felt like an easy way out to minimise the campers' behaviour and try to make them more sympathetic. There would have been more suspense if the camping was illegal and the authorities still couldn't do anything - which is the case where I am.
I was also frustrated by the fallback on the old trope of homeless people being harmless, charming vagabonds with a hard life. We're supposed to see some of the neighbours' views on homeless people being violent drug addicts as an entitled, outdated outlook, when it really is not. All of the campers here are people who have just been hard done by, and it wasn't a believable or realistic portrayal. The book's viewpoint doesn't even seem to condemn some of their outright criminal behaviour!
Also, there's no real wrap-up or explanation of what went down. It's all left up in the air, and I DETEST that. Wrap up your own book FFS.
I didn't really enjoy this. I was following the actions of an idiot intent on destroying her own life, and did not get the exploration of the culture clash and how that would play out that the book blurb promised.
March 11, 2025
Before I talk too much about this novel, I need to say that I always penalise a writer if they use the word “thrumming”. Don’t ask me why – it just seems like a very forced and literary word to foist on a book though it does have a great onomatopoeia feel to it. And yes, the dreaded thrumming pops up in this novel -in fact, the main character Leah is positively levitating with her thrumming as she eyes off the sexy ne'er-do-well Sholto who has set up camp in the parklands opposite Leah’s house alongside a bunch of others who can’t find places to live. “His very flesh seemed vibrant, thrumming to a non-human frequency,” Leah says of Sholto.
Leah, her older husband Moses, and their young children Fleur and Harley live in a secluded part of a middle class suburb in an unnamed Australian city. It is the seclusion (a no-through road onto a park) that gives both desirability and vulnerability to their living circumstances. There are 7 houses in total on their road and at the beginning of the novel, the biggest problem seems to be that Leah hasn’t walked her neighbour’s dog as she has promised. There is a range of types of household – a gay couple, an older retired couple, two women sharing a house, an Indian couple with their two teenage sons and a share house with three university students, as well as Leah’s household.
Leah has two young kids and is still at home with the youngest. She’s reluctant to go back to work but they need the money. She’s a little bit at a loss at the beginning of the novel. Moses, her husband, is 51 and handsome, but Leah “could see, horribly, that he would become old before she herself was old”. They have “maintenance sex”. So it’s not a surprise that she is attracted to Sholto, though some of the people camping with him do not like or trust him.
So there’s the attraction line running like a fissure through Leah’s marriage, and the encampment running like an toxic swamp though the lives of the people who have houses in the “Drove” (as the area is called). One neighbour suggests they “try for social welfare intervention”. Another suggests calling the police. Oner reviewer writes: “Maybe the real crime here is the reactions of everyone. The "get rid of them regardless" versus "but they have nothing". The "not our problem" versus "they need help", the uselessness of the authorities, the lack of options, services, preparation for events like the ones that play out here.” (https://www.austcrimefiction.org/revi...)
This is done really well – it makes you think about the amount of homelessness that exists right now in this city and the limited options that exist for people. But also how hard it can be to live nearby when people are disturbed, drunk, violent and unpredictable – I lived for a long time near a public rooming house where most of the time, there were no problems but sometimes, it wasn’t good. For middle class small “l” liberals, it can be a dilemma - how much do you tolerate in your own (quite expensive) back yard. “Property values plummeting as I type,” writes Lucas, the hardliner of the group. And once again, I want to call out the excellent piece of writing by Kevin Brophy titled ‘What’re yer lookin’ at yer fuckin’ dog?’ (https://www.australianbookreview.com....) that nails how terrible it can be to have bad aggressive neighbours.
I think this is a really compelling read!
Leah, her older husband Moses, and their young children Fleur and Harley live in a secluded part of a middle class suburb in an unnamed Australian city. It is the seclusion (a no-through road onto a park) that gives both desirability and vulnerability to their living circumstances. There are 7 houses in total on their road and at the beginning of the novel, the biggest problem seems to be that Leah hasn’t walked her neighbour’s dog as she has promised. There is a range of types of household – a gay couple, an older retired couple, two women sharing a house, an Indian couple with their two teenage sons and a share house with three university students, as well as Leah’s household.
Leah has two young kids and is still at home with the youngest. She’s reluctant to go back to work but they need the money. She’s a little bit at a loss at the beginning of the novel. Moses, her husband, is 51 and handsome, but Leah “could see, horribly, that he would become old before she herself was old”. They have “maintenance sex”. So it’s not a surprise that she is attracted to Sholto, though some of the people camping with him do not like or trust him.
So there’s the attraction line running like a fissure through Leah’s marriage, and the encampment running like an toxic swamp though the lives of the people who have houses in the “Drove” (as the area is called). One neighbour suggests they “try for social welfare intervention”. Another suggests calling the police. Oner reviewer writes: “Maybe the real crime here is the reactions of everyone. The "get rid of them regardless" versus "but they have nothing". The "not our problem" versus "they need help", the uselessness of the authorities, the lack of options, services, preparation for events like the ones that play out here.” (https://www.austcrimefiction.org/revi...)
This is done really well – it makes you think about the amount of homelessness that exists right now in this city and the limited options that exist for people. But also how hard it can be to live nearby when people are disturbed, drunk, violent and unpredictable – I lived for a long time near a public rooming house where most of the time, there were no problems but sometimes, it wasn’t good. For middle class small “l” liberals, it can be a dilemma - how much do you tolerate in your own (quite expensive) back yard. “Property values plummeting as I type,” writes Lucas, the hardliner of the group. And once again, I want to call out the excellent piece of writing by Kevin Brophy titled ‘What’re yer lookin’ at yer fuckin’ dog?’ (https://www.australianbookreview.com....) that nails how terrible it can be to have bad aggressive neighbours.
I think this is a really compelling read!
February 14, 2025
Non-fiction author Maryrose Cuskelly delivered her debut novel, The Cane in 2022. That book, a historical crime fiction novel, felt like it leant on her true crime writing and was as much about the community and the time and place as the crime. Her new novel, The Campers, is more of an exploration of modern Australian society. There is a little bit of crime, and some general mayhem but The Campers uses this to explore current fault lines in Australian society and culture.
Leah lives with her older husband Moses and their two young children in a hidden away deadend street which locals call The Drove. The street is a tightknit community that in itself seems to represent a cross section of Australian society, including the gay couple next door, the Indian family, the old women who raise chickens and a house for three younger renters. The world of the Drove is sent for a spin when an encampment of homeless people springs up on the reserve at the end of the street that the ‘drovers’ consider to be theirs. The residents are torn between their feelings of entitlement and their social consciences as small events start to make them resent the campers. Leah, unhappy with her life, finds herself drawn to the campers’ charismatic leader Sholto.
Cuskelly is interested in these two communities, how they make tentative attempts to understand each other, how existing prejudices and preconceived notions on both sides taint those attempts, the limits of bureaucratic or legal interventions. And then, how the situation can slide out of control particularly when it is being driven by people with particular agendas on either side. The thing that holds the narrative together is the character of Leah – believably flawed and torn between siding with her neighbours and trying to show some compassion.
The Campers is an excoriating look at the relationship between the haves and the increasing number of have nots in Australia. It is a cautionary tale as more and more places in Australia become out of reach for home ownership or even rental for many. But as a result it also feels a little didactic at times, an exploration of two sides of a current debate using a worked example. Very few of the characters on either side come out of the conflict in a good light, and these are mostly the younger people. The Campers tries to present modern Australia in microcosm and in doing so delivers a cautionary tale with maybe some room for hope for the next generation.
Leah lives with her older husband Moses and their two young children in a hidden away deadend street which locals call The Drove. The street is a tightknit community that in itself seems to represent a cross section of Australian society, including the gay couple next door, the Indian family, the old women who raise chickens and a house for three younger renters. The world of the Drove is sent for a spin when an encampment of homeless people springs up on the reserve at the end of the street that the ‘drovers’ consider to be theirs. The residents are torn between their feelings of entitlement and their social consciences as small events start to make them resent the campers. Leah, unhappy with her life, finds herself drawn to the campers’ charismatic leader Sholto.
Cuskelly is interested in these two communities, how they make tentative attempts to understand each other, how existing prejudices and preconceived notions on both sides taint those attempts, the limits of bureaucratic or legal interventions. And then, how the situation can slide out of control particularly when it is being driven by people with particular agendas on either side. The thing that holds the narrative together is the character of Leah – believably flawed and torn between siding with her neighbours and trying to show some compassion.
The Campers is an excoriating look at the relationship between the haves and the increasing number of have nots in Australia. It is a cautionary tale as more and more places in Australia become out of reach for home ownership or even rental for many. But as a result it also feels a little didactic at times, an exploration of two sides of a current debate using a worked example. Very few of the characters on either side come out of the conflict in a good light, and these are mostly the younger people. The Campers tries to present modern Australia in microcosm and in doing so delivers a cautionary tale with maybe some room for hope for the next generation.
April 21, 2025
📖 Book Review 📖
𝕋𝕚𝕥𝕝𝕖: The Campers
𝔸𝕦𝕥𝕙𝕠𝕣: Caroline Cuskelly
𝕄𝕖𝕕𝕚𝕦𝕞 𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕕 𝕚𝕟: Physical Copy Paperback
𝕊𝕪𝕟𝕠𝕡𝕤𝕚𝕤: Leah lives a peaceful life on The Drove, a quiet cul-de-sac where neighbours look out for each other. But when a group of itinerants set up camp in the local park, the tight-knit community starts to unravel. As tensions rise and suspicions build, Leah finds herself drawn to Sholto, the enigmatic leader of the campers—challenging her views, her choices, and everything she thought she knew about her safe little world.
𝕄𝕪 𝕥𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕘𝕙𝕥𝕤: This was such a gripping and thought-provoking read! While I was pulled in by the undercurrent of suspense, what really stayed with me were the deeper social commentaries woven throughout. Leah is such a complicated character—flawed, unpredictable, and frustrating at times, yet I couldn’t stop reading to see what she’d do next. Cuskelly’s writing is rich with insight as she explores privilege, morality, and the blurry lines we walk when comfort is threatened. I loved the diversity within the community and how it highlighted that inclusion doesn’t automatically mean equity. This novel really made me reflect on the assumptions we make, the judgements we form, and how fear can disrupt even the most “well-meaning” neighbourhoods.
An intense, introspective page-turner that lingers long after the final page.
A big thank you to @coffeeandpages2021 for lending me her well-loved copy—I’m so grateful!
Happy reading! x
#TheCampers #CarolineCuskelly #BookstagramReads #SocialFiction #ThoughtProvokingReads
𝕋𝕚𝕥𝕝𝕖: The Campers
𝔸𝕦𝕥𝕙𝕠𝕣: Caroline Cuskelly
𝕄𝕖𝕕𝕚𝕦𝕞 𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕕 𝕚𝕟: Physical Copy Paperback
𝕊𝕪𝕟𝕠𝕡𝕤𝕚𝕤: Leah lives a peaceful life on The Drove, a quiet cul-de-sac where neighbours look out for each other. But when a group of itinerants set up camp in the local park, the tight-knit community starts to unravel. As tensions rise and suspicions build, Leah finds herself drawn to Sholto, the enigmatic leader of the campers—challenging her views, her choices, and everything she thought she knew about her safe little world.
𝕄𝕪 𝕥𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕘𝕙𝕥𝕤: This was such a gripping and thought-provoking read! While I was pulled in by the undercurrent of suspense, what really stayed with me were the deeper social commentaries woven throughout. Leah is such a complicated character—flawed, unpredictable, and frustrating at times, yet I couldn’t stop reading to see what she’d do next. Cuskelly’s writing is rich with insight as she explores privilege, morality, and the blurry lines we walk when comfort is threatened. I loved the diversity within the community and how it highlighted that inclusion doesn’t automatically mean equity. This novel really made me reflect on the assumptions we make, the judgements we form, and how fear can disrupt even the most “well-meaning” neighbourhoods.
An intense, introspective page-turner that lingers long after the final page.
A big thank you to @coffeeandpages2021 for lending me her well-loved copy—I’m so grateful!
Happy reading! x
#TheCampers #CarolineCuskelly #BookstagramReads #SocialFiction #ThoughtProvokingReads
February 5, 2025
Best-selling award-winning author Maryanne Cuskelly’ has not disappointed readers with her latest book ‘The Campers’, which will make the reader examine her/his own values long after the book is closed. With the problem of homelessness at its core, the author has woven an intriguing tale of privilege, hypocrisy and entitlement.
The close-knit community of the residents of The Drove, an inner-city-cul-de-sac, has long guarded Gideon’s Paddock as their private domain; not to be shared with ‘non-Drovers.’ The arrival of a group of unkempt strangers setting up home in ‘their park’ has the neighbourhood’s chat group buzzing. Although Drovers believe in helping the homeless, the underlying message is ‘not in our back yard’. How will this ‘undesirable’ group affect the residents of this safe, community- oriented enclave?
Leah, married with two young children is immediately attracted to the mysterious Sholto, the campers’ charismatic leader, while other neighbours appear to be more suspicious of him. Why has he chosen Gideon’s Paddock to establish his tent community?
The author’s use of social media posts, allows the reader to acquire a greater insight into the character of the prominent members of ‘The Drovers’ and their perceptions surrounding the ‘invading’ group.
This thought - provoking novel will make the reader reassess her/his attitude to homelessness and how it can impact on the reader’s own community.
Reviewed by Nan van Dissel for Bluewolf Reviews.
The close-knit community of the residents of The Drove, an inner-city-cul-de-sac, has long guarded Gideon’s Paddock as their private domain; not to be shared with ‘non-Drovers.’ The arrival of a group of unkempt strangers setting up home in ‘their park’ has the neighbourhood’s chat group buzzing. Although Drovers believe in helping the homeless, the underlying message is ‘not in our back yard’. How will this ‘undesirable’ group affect the residents of this safe, community- oriented enclave?
Leah, married with two young children is immediately attracted to the mysterious Sholto, the campers’ charismatic leader, while other neighbours appear to be more suspicious of him. Why has he chosen Gideon’s Paddock to establish his tent community?
The author’s use of social media posts, allows the reader to acquire a greater insight into the character of the prominent members of ‘The Drovers’ and their perceptions surrounding the ‘invading’ group.
This thought - provoking novel will make the reader reassess her/his attitude to homelessness and how it can impact on the reader’s own community.
Reviewed by Nan van Dissel for Bluewolf Reviews.
February 16, 2025
Not what I was expecting at all…..
I guess I was expecting more of a thriller, but what I got was something completely different. The Campers is a slow burn, but a good read, filled with drama, mystery and strong emotional topics.
The Campers is a story set mainly around Leah and her husband Moses, their family and the rest of the families that live on The Drove, and how their lives change when a group of homeless decide to set up camp in a park nearby.
It questions a lot of stereotypes and what is perceived through someone’s appearance and circumstances, rather than taking the time to find out the truth through nonjudgemental eyes.
Homelessness and poverty as well privilege and prejudice are strong themes in this story, but the strongest theme is of society and human nature itself and just what people are capable of in certain circumstances.
This story is an enjoyable read and it’s not long before you start to sympathise with Leah and the confliction that she feels when it comes to her life, marriage and what is happening around her, including the impact that many of the campers have on her.
I will admit that I wasn’t a fan of the ending. In my eyes it didn’t really end with many questions left unanswered, leaving me with a bit of a dissatisfying feeling….unless there is meant to be a sequel coming.
In saying that though, I enjoyed the book as a whole and would recommend it, just keep in the back of your mind that you may not walk away with all the answers you want.
Thank you Better Reading and Allen & Unwin for my #gifted ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Publication date 4 February 2025
#BRPreview
#thecampers
#maryrosecuskelly
#society
#allenandunwin
I guess I was expecting more of a thriller, but what I got was something completely different. The Campers is a slow burn, but a good read, filled with drama, mystery and strong emotional topics.
The Campers is a story set mainly around Leah and her husband Moses, their family and the rest of the families that live on The Drove, and how their lives change when a group of homeless decide to set up camp in a park nearby.
It questions a lot of stereotypes and what is perceived through someone’s appearance and circumstances, rather than taking the time to find out the truth through nonjudgemental eyes.
Homelessness and poverty as well privilege and prejudice are strong themes in this story, but the strongest theme is of society and human nature itself and just what people are capable of in certain circumstances.
This story is an enjoyable read and it’s not long before you start to sympathise with Leah and the confliction that she feels when it comes to her life, marriage and what is happening around her, including the impact that many of the campers have on her.
I will admit that I wasn’t a fan of the ending. In my eyes it didn’t really end with many questions left unanswered, leaving me with a bit of a dissatisfying feeling….unless there is meant to be a sequel coming.
In saying that though, I enjoyed the book as a whole and would recommend it, just keep in the back of your mind that you may not walk away with all the answers you want.
Thank you Better Reading and Allen & Unwin for my #gifted ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Publication date 4 February 2025
#BRPreview
#thecampers
#maryrosecuskelly
#society
#allenandunwin
March 17, 2025
I have to say that this is not the normal genre of book that I would read, but I found it quite captivating and difficult to put down.
The storyline centres around Leah who lives on The Drove, an inner-city cul-de-sac, with her husband Moses and their two children. She and her neighbours - the drovers - look out for each other. Theirs is a safe, community-oriented enclave and that's the way it's going to stay.
However, their lives are turned upsides down when some rough campers turn up in the parkland adjacent to the drive and set up camp. The reaction to their presence is quite mixed with some expressing sympathy and others appalled and hostile towards their presence.
It is really set in modern times with the issue of homelessness and rough camping, house affordability, and NIMBY all happening. Add into the mix, Sholto and why he is there.
The campers do not help though, and some interesting interrelationships start to occur.
I particularly liked the way that the local chat group postings and interactions were a key part of the storyline and the viewpoints of each person were freely expressed.
The last chapter was quite dramatic, but I found the ending a bit light, as if there should have been another chapter, but maybe it was left to the reader to make their own conclusions.
A very good and enthralling read.
The storyline centres around Leah who lives on The Drove, an inner-city cul-de-sac, with her husband Moses and their two children. She and her neighbours - the drovers - look out for each other. Theirs is a safe, community-oriented enclave and that's the way it's going to stay.
However, their lives are turned upsides down when some rough campers turn up in the parkland adjacent to the drive and set up camp. The reaction to their presence is quite mixed with some expressing sympathy and others appalled and hostile towards their presence.
It is really set in modern times with the issue of homelessness and rough camping, house affordability, and NIMBY all happening. Add into the mix, Sholto and why he is there.
The campers do not help though, and some interesting interrelationships start to occur.
I particularly liked the way that the local chat group postings and interactions were a key part of the storyline and the viewpoints of each person were freely expressed.
The last chapter was quite dramatic, but I found the ending a bit light, as if there should have been another chapter, but maybe it was left to the reader to make their own conclusions.
A very good and enthralling read.
February 16, 2025
Leah has a good life. She lives on the Drove, an inner-city cul-de-sac, with her husband, Moses, and their two children. She and her neighbours - the drovers - look out for each other. When itinerants set up camp in 'their' park, some of the drovers are unsettled, some are outraged, and all of them want the campers to move on.
What a page turner! I came for the crime thriller premise, but stayed because of the prominent social commentaries.
Leah was a very flawed character with questionable thought process and decision making, which should’ve made her unlikeable, and yet there were some aspects to her that felt relatable. She toed the line between right and wrong, and where it could be obvious to people not to tip to the other side, Leah kept me on the edge of my seat because I couldn’t guess what she’d do next.
I loved the diverse representation of the drovers, which made it clear that class and privilege could still be problematic despite of diversity. It was such a good, thought provoking story about such challenging topic, and it made me self-evaluate and think deeply.
(Thanks to DMCPR Media and Allen & Unwin for a gifted review copy)
See my bookstagram review.
What a page turner! I came for the crime thriller premise, but stayed because of the prominent social commentaries.
Leah was a very flawed character with questionable thought process and decision making, which should’ve made her unlikeable, and yet there were some aspects to her that felt relatable. She toed the line between right and wrong, and where it could be obvious to people not to tip to the other side, Leah kept me on the edge of my seat because I couldn’t guess what she’d do next.
I loved the diverse representation of the drovers, which made it clear that class and privilege could still be problematic despite of diversity. It was such a good, thought provoking story about such challenging topic, and it made me self-evaluate and think deeply.
(Thanks to DMCPR Media and Allen & Unwin for a gifted review copy)
See my bookstagram review.
Read
February 21, 2025The Campers is based on a quiet cul-de-sac called The Drove. The residents call themselves the drovers and are a close-knit. Main character Leah lives with her husband Moses and their two children. Itinerants (campers) set up camp in the park opposite to The Drove and the residents are not happy. The number of campers grew, pitching tents, stealing and causing chaos with loud music and parties. Leah felt an attraction to the handsome head camper Sholto. Sholto was a troublemaker causing lots of problems for the drovers, including Leah. He had lots of secrets and knew a lot about the drovers. Using this information against them. How did he know these secrets and why was he so familiar to one of the older residents?
Police were called often because of damage to cars and homes, stealing and chaos. Leah was badly injured when a bottle was thrown in her direction. It all came to a head when the campers rioted in the street and started fires and more chaos.
Personally I didn’t enjoy this novel and the characters where hard to like. I was very disappointed with the ending.
Thank you Better Reading @betterreading #BRPreview the novel to read and review.
Police were called often because of damage to cars and homes, stealing and chaos. Leah was badly injured when a bottle was thrown in her direction. It all came to a head when the campers rioted in the street and started fires and more chaos.
Personally I didn’t enjoy this novel and the characters where hard to like. I was very disappointed with the ending.
Thank you Better Reading @betterreading #BRPreview the novel to read and review.
February 26, 2025
The Campers
Leah, her husband Moses, and their two children live on “The Drove”, an inner-city cul-de-sac. Their small community of neighbours, the drovers, are friendly and supportive of each other.
When a group of wanderers arrive in The Drove, and set up camp, things begin to change. Neighbours are at odds with each other as to how the campers should be treated – some want to assist them; others want to see them move on. The arrival of the campers sees things begin to change within The Drove. Friendships are strained, and battle lines drawn.
Leah finds herself inexplicably drawn to the camper’s leader Sholto. His charisma brings intrigue and attraction, which has the potential to throw Leah’s stable, comfortable life into complete turmoil.
The Campers, by Maryrose Cuskelly, is an interesting, unexpected adventure into human relationships – individual, marital, neighbours, strangers. Even when you think you know someone extremely well, do you really know all of them? Or are they just showing you the pieces of themselves they believe you will respond to?
Thank you to Better Reading, Allen & Unwin and Maryrose Cuskelly for my ARC copy of The Campers.
#betterreading
Leah, her husband Moses, and their two children live on “The Drove”, an inner-city cul-de-sac. Their small community of neighbours, the drovers, are friendly and supportive of each other.
When a group of wanderers arrive in The Drove, and set up camp, things begin to change. Neighbours are at odds with each other as to how the campers should be treated – some want to assist them; others want to see them move on. The arrival of the campers sees things begin to change within The Drove. Friendships are strained, and battle lines drawn.
Leah finds herself inexplicably drawn to the camper’s leader Sholto. His charisma brings intrigue and attraction, which has the potential to throw Leah’s stable, comfortable life into complete turmoil.
The Campers, by Maryrose Cuskelly, is an interesting, unexpected adventure into human relationships – individual, marital, neighbours, strangers. Even when you think you know someone extremely well, do you really know all of them? Or are they just showing you the pieces of themselves they believe you will respond to?
Thank you to Better Reading, Allen & Unwin and Maryrose Cuskelly for my ARC copy of The Campers.
#betterreading
June 12, 2025
The Drovers have their piece of paradise until a group of homeless people move in to the reserve next door. Predictably, the main character Leah, a Drover, falls in love with the handsome and charismatic homeless guy Shalto. It was a fun idea and I enjoyed reading but I wouldn't read it again. Parts were a bit unbelievable and predictable.
One reason for the 3 stars is that I didn't connect with any of the characters. Sometimes you find a book where you hate all the characters and it makes it interesting, but I didn't feel that deeply towards any of them to call it hate. They were more just unlikable or annoying, and there were too many background characters with just a name and a few personality traits. Why not pick out a few of the Drovers and go into more depth on them? Leah acts as though she is drifting through life with no agency, going off on whims here and there and her dialogue and general life is boring. Well I guess maybe people live like that? They are too boring to read a book about though.
It didn't feel like a city either, it felt like a snobby street in a regional town the way people were acting.
Also, I didn't like the ending, the story just stopped.
One reason for the 3 stars is that I didn't connect with any of the characters. Sometimes you find a book where you hate all the characters and it makes it interesting, but I didn't feel that deeply towards any of them to call it hate. They were more just unlikable or annoying, and there were too many background characters with just a name and a few personality traits. Why not pick out a few of the Drovers and go into more depth on them? Leah acts as though she is drifting through life with no agency, going off on whims here and there and her dialogue and general life is boring. Well I guess maybe people live like that? They are too boring to read a book about though.
It didn't feel like a city either, it felt like a snobby street in a regional town the way people were acting.
Also, I didn't like the ending, the story just stopped.
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