The story is told in three parts, the first two involve adolescent boys, Omed, a refugee from Afghanistan and Hector, an Australian boy who has lost his mother, his life now adrift. They meet in a candle factory where they work amidst intrigue. Neither is able to speak. The novel concludes with the two young men reunited, each having found inner peace through their life experiences. Major themes include the brutality of the Taliban, Australia’s detention system and refugee smuggling.

1. Cross Cultural Relations
2. Detention Centres
3. Refugees
4. Resilience
5. War