Cutting Through Skin

Novel set in contemporary Melbourne. Charts the descent into madness of young academic Matthew Bass, following the witness of an armed hold-up and the death of his authoritarian and distant father. Bass begins to imagine he is the reincarnation of Galen, the pioneering medical practitioner from the second century AD, and believes he has found the secret of returning life to the recently dead. Explores the theme of faith taken to extremes and the disintegration of a personality under stress. Author has a Phd in physiology form University of Melbourne and writes a monthly column on health issues for the 'Financial Review'. His previous novel 'Burning Sunday' was shortlisted for 1999 'Age' Book of the Year (Fiction).