Juice: the new cli-fi novel by Australian author Tim Winton

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Juice: the new cli-fi novel by Australian author Tim Winton

2 October 2024

Juice is the latest novel by Australian author Tim Winton, which was published yesterday. From this synopsis, Juice sounds like it blends elements of the Max Mad saga, with Winton’s own environmental and climate change concerns:

Two fugitives, a man and a child, drive all night across a stony desert. As dawn breaks, they roll into an abandoned mine site. From the vehicle they survey a forsaken place – middens of twisted iron, rusty wire, piles of sun-baked trash. They’re exhausted, traumatised, desperate now. But as a refuge, this is the most promising place they’ve seen. The child peers at the field of desolation. The man thinks to himself, this could work.

Problem is, they’re not alone.

So begins a searing, propulsive journey through a life whose central challenge is not simply a matter of survival, but of how to maintain human decency as everyone around you falls ever further into barbarism.

I heard Winton speak about six-and-a-half years ago at the Sydney premiere of Breath, a film based on his 2009, Miles Franklin award winning, novel of the same name. The feature was directed by, and starred, Australian actor Simon Baker, also present that evening.

Winton was one of the screenwriters of the Breath film adaptation. That’s a smart move, get the author of the book being adapted, to co-write the screenplay. Where possible of course. Quite a number of Winton’s books have been made into movies, so it seems like there’s a good chance Juice will follow suit.

Simon Baker, Tim Winton, Margaret Pomeranz, others, speak at Breath Sydney premiere

26 April 2018

A panel discussion with five individuals seated in front of a large screen displaying the promotional poster for the film

Photo by John Lampard.

Earlier this evening I went to the Sydney premiere of Breath, trailer, the new film by Australian actor and director, Simon Baker (Instagram page).

The screenplay was based on the 2008 novel of the same name, by Australian author Tim Winton, who collaborated with Baker, and Gerard Lee, to adapt the novel for film.

Following the screening, Baker, Winton, and cast members Elizabeth Debicki, Ben Spence, and Samson Coulter, joined Australian film critic Margaret Pomeranz, to discuss the film. Surfing plays a big part in the story, with Winton amusing the audience with a number of board riding stories.

It was great, by the way, to be back (I keep saying that) at the Ritz Cinema in Sydney’s east. Thanks to Roadshow Australia for the invitation.

NOTE: This post was drafted on 26 April 2018 but published on 19 October 2026.