Two sisters adopt male identities to navigate the itinerant labor markets of rural Australia, seeking both economic survival and romantic fulfillment. The protagonists, Steve and Blue, traverse the countryside as laborers, their masquerade serving as a shield against the social expectations of their era. Their objective is to secure work in the orchards and fields, yet their internal focus remains on the pursuit of love and self-discovery. The narrative, presented through a vibrant and idiosyncratic first-person perspective, captures the physical toll of manual labor and the psychological complexity of maintaining a dual identity in a rigid society.

This work is often recognized for its distinct, idiosyncratic voice that challenges the conventions of early twentieth-century Australian literature. The narrative style is frequently noted for its intensity and the way it captures the raw, unvarnished experience of its protagonists. Readers and critics alike have highlighted the book's bold exploration of gender roles and the freedom found in the sisters' chosen disguise. The text remains a significant example of regional writing that balances the grit of manual labor with a deeply personal quest for identity.