Tim Winton's book, "Cloudstreet" has often been heralded as a "great Australian novel." The novel encompasses critical Australian themes of family relationships, cultural values within the stimuli of life, and what it truly means to be an ˜Aussie Battler'. Cloudstreet embraces and grasps the unique, unorthodox culture of Australian life through the the years of 1940-1960, and through his inclusion of Australian colloquialism, typical working class predicaments and the importance and struggles of identity, Winton is able to expose his readers to the quintessence of Australian life. Every element that comprises the reading, supports cultural significance, the house itself is awash with history. From the aboriginal girl haunting the structure to the old woman symbolizing the imposition of assimilation under the rule of white supremacy. Winton's, ability to explore these critical themes through the lives of his fictional characters, allows "Cloudstreet" to uphold the prestigious title of a "great Australian novel." The setting in Cloudstreet is integral to the novel. Upon moving, we are instantly exposed to the flawed and traditional nature of Perth. "...the long line of jacarandas, the rusting tin roofs and the sagging picket fences.' This description of Cloudstreet, not only satisfies the image of perth at that period, but the unconventionality of Australia before the influence of American suburban life permeated the culture. Through the progression of the novel, we are witness to the dramatically changing Perth and as a result the characters identity with the land. This is particularly evident with the Nedland's monster, who we are introduced to later on in novel. The killer was in-fact a real person in Australian history, known as Eric Edgar Cooke, who terrorized Perth from 1959-1963. His murders were random and without motive; raping and stealing from some victims or murdering others employing a range of differing methods, including shooting, strangling and stabbing. Prior to his reign of terror, Perth was considered to be a tranquil place and often during the summer, doors and windows would be left unlocked. As a result of the naivety and trust people had of their neighbors, he was able to prey on his victims whilst they slept. In regards to these crimes, Perth culture was significantly affected, "On the streets at night nobody moves. No one goes out there'. This blemish on Perth's history, represents a sinister reality of the evolving nature of Australia, "this is Perth, Western Australia, whose ambition know no limit. And the streets are empty.' However, there are additional events that also redefined Perth. Although not as dramatically, the evolution towards suburbia changed the attitudes towards the working class lifestyle, A clean, orderly, separate place, with fences and heavy curtains. their own world.' The novel comments on how the late 1950s and early 1960s life in the suburbs were prized. Rose and Quick built the