Every reader comes to a text with an understanding of what they expect from it. This can be determined by your previous knowledge of a writer's work from critical reception such as reviews or popular media coverage. Or by the fact that (in the case of Johnno) you know that it was the first novel written by one of Australia's most esteemed writers, and is regarded as a `classic' Australian novel, and as the first novel which recognised Brisbane as a place worthy of literary significance. Or by the fact that it's been selected as a finalist in the 2004 One Book One Brisbane program. Consider all these points as you read and discuss this novel.

Critical literacy depends on an understanding of the conventions of a text and the notions and expectations we bring to it as a reader.

* The cover design of the 1998 edition records its `classic'...