Night Surfing draws together two people from different walks of life. Hannah, a private school city girl, daughter of a priest, is escaping university life that has become empty and meaningless. Jake, who has been raised by his father after his mother died early in his childhood, is a surf bum with no job and no future.

They meet at Ruben's Cafe, a fast food cafe near the beach on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria, Australia. They are instantly drawn together and their relationship develops as Jake teaches Hannah how to surf.

This book examines surfing and the sea, along with relationships, grief and the interrelationship between various classes of people in Australia. It is beautifully written and a pleasure to read. ( )