The novel

The Monster That Ate Constitution Avenue

Some maps of Campbell show a thoroughfare labelled Monash Drive running through the suburb. It is the reason why Truscott Street turns into White Cresent half way along. When the bureaucrats of the National Capital Development Crescent were assigning street names, those two streets were never intended to be linked. Monash Drive was laid out – on paper – to run between them. My Monash Drive is a route of the imagination, tickling recognition as you travel along with me. The houses, the shops, the flats – they can all be found in Campbell if you half-close your eyes. And the people are the ones you hear talking in the next aisle of the supermarket.

“I wish I had a dollar for every time I’ve driven along here!” I say to my passengers as we pass the shops on Monash Drive. And they, eyes fixed on the meter, agree with me.