Quotes from Robert Drewe

It always gave me a peculiar feeling to catch a glimpse of my parents' lives before I was born.

In any artistic rendering of the city theme alienation is a constant. Given the anonymity the city provides, it could hardly be otherwise. Artists, especially writers, have recognised this dichotomy, and that cities have always proved a source of freedom by providing anonymity, notwithstanding the estrangement and isolation that goes with it. Indeed, the city's impetus towards modernity is to be found in that narrow zone between loss of community and discovery of self.

Spending her eighties in constant thrall to findmypast.com, familyhistory.net.au, yesterdaygeneaology.com and ancestor.com, Aunty Eily had tracked down the 1850s address of Conor Cleary's father Daniel and mother Maureen to 28 New Way, Templemore. The street still existed and the Avis car's GPS took Ryan there.