'Nicki examines the rock art mosaic in disbelief. She struggles with confusing pulses of fear and excitement, unable to comprehend how those she so despises could have such sublime skills.'
For the Wallabri, these are uncertain and turbulent times. Binna, the tribes cultural custodian, experiments with new ochre colours to sustain his peoples heritage and survival at a turning point in the evolution of rock art style. In contemporary times, four bushwalkers assemble at a remote Kimberley cattle station, ahead of them a 14-day walk across the same country. At the last moment they are compelled to take Danny, a troubled Aboriginal boy.
The land is a major character, playing a significant role, both forgiving and payback, as the walkers deal with their burdens, prejudices and secrets. With authority grounded in a lifetime in the bush, the author transports readers through endless savannah woodlands, ancient gorges and forgotten pristine pools of one of the worlds last wilderness frontiers and those who claim it.
The book is an imaginative construction of a mysterious past and an exploration of ways to reconcile a fractured and troubled present, giving rise to new hope. Among its inspirations are the evolution and resilience of Aboriginal art and the dreams that sparked a stockman to declare 'I want to paint'.
Amy is a keen children’s book nerd and spends a lot of time reading and reviewing picture books with her toddler, Fenrir. But it’s not all colourful pictures! Her passion is getting kids reading, and her life's mission is to get the right books in the right hands. Ask her for advice or recommend something to her and watch her eyes light up!
I really enjoyed the way this book delved into the back stories and inner thoughts of the protagonists, giving a very rounded perspective of the individuals and their interactions with each other. The grittiness of these flawed characters, surrounded by the harsh but beautiful Australian bush made it an interesting read with plenty of things to mull over and consider in two very different perspectives. Contemporary bush survival meets ancient Aboriginal tribal life melding the story of art, discovery, revenge and tradition into an intriguing novel. I think this would spark quite a lot of good discussions for readers.
