Blue Wolf Reviews

Tag: Southern

  • Southern Aurora

    Southern Aurora

    In Australia as notified domestic violence is on the rise, many authors have incorporated it in their writing. However, rarely is the reader exposed to this crime from the point of view of a child. Award winning Australian author, Mark Brandi in his latest beautifully written novel ‘Southern Aurora’ has done just that!

    Narrator, 10 year old sensitive Jimmy, lives with his alcoholic mother, and his intellectually challenged brother Sam in the poorest street in Mittigunda, a small country town. Life isn’t easy for Jimmy, who loves his family dearly, takes the responsibility for his family’s wellbeing upon his shoulder. After his older brother, Mick is jailed, Jimmy’s takes this heavy burden of looking out for his family even more seriously and blames himself for everything which befalls them.

    Although this is a compelling, gentle read, the subject matter is far from gentle. The characters are well developed and written in such a way, that empathy is not only evoked for Jimmy but also for his family and friends.

    While it is an easy read, this is an unforgettable story, which I highly recommend to readers of all ages.

  • Girl of the Southern Sea

    Girl of the Southern Sea

    Beautifully written and capturing the very essence of life in Jakarta, Girl of the Southern Sea from Michelle Kadarusman follows the journey of fourteen year old Nia who longs to be able to continue on at school, but instead has to look after her little brother and help her father at the family food cart down at the train station.

    Bright and intelligent, Nia’s family is poor and once the free schooling provided by the government is finished, families have to pay for their children to go on to high school. Her father has never recovered from the death of her mother when her brother Rudi was born and drinks away all the money earned at the local Arak dealer’s illegal bar.

    Nia has always loved to write and create stories for her little brother; wonderful, magical stories based on the legend of the mythical Dewi Kadita Queen of the Southern Seas. Her mother always told her stories about this mythical being and Nia is continuing on as it comforts both her and her brother.

    After narrowly escaping death in a bus accident Nia becomes considered as somewhat mystical; as having good-luck magic. The family fortunes begin to change, until once again something appalling happens and Nia has to face some hard facts about life. Help comes from a most unlikely source and perhaps Dewi Kadita likes the stories Nia makes up and lends a helping hand. 

    Crafted in the streets of Jakarta, Nia and her family and friends are bought vividly to life in this elegant and charming look at life and culture in a land known to many, but not always understood. Kardarusman has captured the vibrancy, the smell of the markets, the helpless frustration felt by many who live in the poor areas of town, their daily survival depending on the fates and an enduring sense of courage felt by many who look to better their meagre lives.

    Girl of the Southern Sea is a powerful story of courage, good-luck magic, all bound by the  determination and hope of being able to create a bright new future.

  • Wild Sea: A History of the Southern Ocean

    Wild Sea: A History of the Southern Ocean

    “Written with intensity and excitement”, says the blurb on the front cover, and it is true. The vastness of this ocean is explored on so many different fronts by the author that the reader gains a deeper understanding of the powerful body of water. The boundaries that surround the Southern Ocean are vague but the effect it has on climate and environment are huge. Joy McCann has used many references and historical texts that make it very satisfying to read her notes at the back of the book. The chapters cover many related areas.

    The first chapter looks at early theories about the oceans. Plato thought the ocean’s waters passed through the centre of the earth, and in the Old Testament it is mentioned that the ocean was created by God. The geological story of the ocean begins with the movement of the earth’s crust as it shifted over many millions of years. When the crust began to split apart, and when a rift occurred between the land masses Ocean water flooded in from the west and gave birth to the Southern Ocean. Early sailors and historians wrote of a sea where man drifts …”Under the permanent threat of hostile waters.” This excited readers from afar.

    Many records and accounts of early sailings and sightings around the Southern Ocean are mentioned, such as George Shelvocke’s memoirs from 1719. In 1570 Abraham Ortelius produced one of the earliest world maps and showed land where the Southern Ocean is placed. James Cook’s travels and documents are outlined as he hunted for the Great South Land.

    The next chapter looks at the wind and how it affects sailing, the environment and the weather. By now the British authorities were looking for faster ways to cross the ocean and decided that to achieve this goal they had to navigate further south into the “Furious Fifties.”  The higher the latitude the shorter the route. Gradually as steam ships became more common, it was easier and faster to cross the ocean but still not without danger. The chapter on Coasts looks at the many areas around the edge of the Southern Ocean, the people, botany and history and how the ocean serves the needs of the people.

    “Ice”, is a chapter that is quite amazing in its scope. We discover the latest scientific research done on ice samples and learn also how the earliest mariners handled this natural wonder. The Emperor penguins breed on the ice, and many other creatures call this land home. Nutrients and iron leach from the ice into the water. This helps the growth of microscopic plants which are at the bottom of the food chain. There are so many fascinating facts and stories told in this researched and creatively written book it will be a great “go to,” book for many years.