No life is simple, and no life is without sorrow. No life is perfect. Two middle-aged men meet on an internet date. Each has been scarred by a previous relationship; each has his own compelling reasons for giving up on the idea of finding love. But still they both turn up for the dinner, feel the spark and the possibility of something more. Feel the fear of failing again, of being hurt and humiliated and further annihilated by love. How can they take the risk of falling in love again. How can they not? A tender, affecting novel of love, of hope, of forgiveness by one of our most fearless and truthful interpreters of the human heart, the acclaimed bestselling author of?The Slap?and?Damascus. Praise for Christos Tsiolkas: 'I've admired the risk and power of all his novels, but this might be the riskiest of all—so personal, so delicate and true— and I love it.' — Charlotte Wood on 7½ 'A scorching, mythic work with a heart of the sweetest intimacy.'— Helen Garner on 7½ 'The audacity of Tsiolkas is still a thrill. And, dare one say it, necessary.' — Nigel Featherstone on 7½ 'Tsiolkas has proved himself a heroic writer, ready to enter the fray and wrestle with intractable moral and political questions. A powerful parable of our times.' — The Saturday Paper on Damascus 'Every time I was 10 pages in a new book, I thought, "It's not Damascus", and put it aside for another day . . .' — Stephen Romei, Weekend Australian on Damascus 'I finished Barracuda on a high: moved, elated, immersed . . . This is the work of a superb writer who has completely mastered his craft but lost nothing of his fiery spirit in so doing. It is a big achievement.' — The Guardian

The tender, sensual and moving new novel from the award-winning and bestselling author of?The Slap?and?Damascus. A compelling contemporary love story between two middle-aged men, told with grace, heart and wisdom.