The divine wind - Garry Disher

Hart is the son of a wealthy pearling master, Mitsy the daughter of a Japanese diver. Together they unconciously cross the boundaries of class and race, as they swim, joke and watch films in the local cinema. Then their world changes. Hart's mother abandons them for England, a terrible cyclone kills Mitsy's father and cripples Hart and most terrible of all - the war starts. As Japanese bombs fall on northern Australia, loyalties are divided, and love and friendship are put to the test.

This is a beautifully crafted story evoking a war-devastated Australia and its agonising consequences on young adults forced to leave their childhood behind.