A new twist on a classic tale: Declan is a 20-something Bankstown boy, living in a flat with his mates Smithy and Jeff. Smithy is the Alpha male-good-looking, cocky, seemingly not afraid of anything-and Dec loves him like a brother. Resolutely unemployed and unambitious, their days involve getting stoned, watching television and drinking at the pub with their friend Maya. When Jeff dies in a freak accident their lives are changed forever. Dec overhears a conversation about a position in a publishing company and he decides to go for an interview although he has never had a job in his life. Through an unlikely combination of bluff and gall, he gets the job. His misadventures in his new role are lovingly told, and Howard’s own experience in publishing is obvious-hilarious descriptions of black-clad publicists and cliché-filled marketing meetings. Dec matures into a wonderful hero, emerging from Smithy’s shadow, discovering the inner city and overcoming his fears and prejudices. Boy from the wrong side of the tracks lands dream job, meets girl, lives happily ever after. A fantastic debut in the vein of Nick Earls and Nick Hornby. Funny, touching and honest, Street Furniture deserves to be read by sensitive new age guys everywhere.

Lachlan Jobbins is a reviewer and bookseller at UNSW Bookshop

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