'How do we pierce the skin? Did they teach you that at University?'<br/><br/>Clive Broderick, guitar - teacher and occultist - the Doubleman of the title of this acclaimed novel - is speaking of power, and of a realm beyond reality. This is a fable of the sixties, when shared belief - systems crumbled, and the spiritual bazaars of today opened up. Christopher Koch's theme is illusion; and all his characters are bound by it. <br/>The Rymers are an electric folk group enjoying mounting success in Sydney. Their producer, Richard Miller, came under Broderick's spell during his youth in Tasmania; so did the guitarists Brady and Burr. Now, years after his death, Broderick's presence remains with all three. Through his disciple, Burr, it will lead to nightmare. <br/>THE DOUBLEMAN was winner of the 1985 Miles Franklin Award.<br/>'Why have I not heard of Koch before, I wonder? He has an extraordinary power of evoking place, and I feel now that Tasmania is part of my memory.' - Graham Greene<br/><br/>'As universal in its impact as the myth and music of Orpheus ... a tour - de - force' - David Rowbotham, Brisbane Courier Mail<br/><br/>'A classy writer, deploying a kind of dangerous power with a delicate perception' - Norman Shrapnel, Guardian