Author Description

Hard Pressed is set in Tasmania over the four days of Easter, 1969. The spectacular island topography is a brooding giant, imprisoning all who inhabit the wild landscape. It is the story of two brothers. Homosexuality is taboo. David Mason is being groomed to take over the family hop farm. He is about to announce his engagement to Bronwyn Hiscock. David's brother Guy is a teacher at Zeehan on the West Coast. He meets puppeteer, Paul Curtain, who is touring with a traditional version of Hansel and Gretel and preparing for his new show Black Hansel. Unbeknown to Guy, Paul is David's lover.