What we’re reading

WORDS ON THE WAVES Writers’ Festival WHAT WE’RE READING

THE BALLAD OF ABDUL WADE

BY RYAN BUTTA

Review by Angela Bennetts

Bush poet Henry Lawson once claimed that, ‘If you know Bourke, you know Australia,’ despite having only spent nine months in the north-western NSW outpost. Bourke features heavily in The Ballad of Abdul Wade, a historical account of Australia’s early Afghan cameleers. But does entrepreneur and cameleer Abdul Wade feature heavily in the history of Bourke (ie Australia)? It is not a spoiler to reveal that he does not, and author Ryan Butta – who is editor-at-large for Galah Press – spends this book trying to remedy that fact.

The vivid story he uncovers rewards his efforts, with tales of pluck and entrepreneurship; of murder and animal butchery; of legal injustices and political machinations. We witness the cameleers (predominantly Afghans) come up against the (predominantly white) horse carriers and their heavy-handed union. The teamsters are determined to remain astride their equine charges despite their ill-suitability for the harsh terrain of the outback, with very little available feed and water. Camels were a match made for our sunburnt plains, and yet colonial Australia rejected the ‘beast’ (not even legally acknowledging them as animals for a time) – and why?

Racism seems to be the answer, with shameful blots aplenty detailed throughout The Ballad of Abdul Wade. Vitriol-laden letters to the editor, the early formation of anti-alien labour movements and ultimately the Immigration Restriction Act (which became known as the White Australia Policy) all feature. Page by page, foundational myths of mateship and a ‘fair go’ crumble before the readers’ eyes. We know of these historical facts, and yet reading the lived experience of Abdul Wade and compatriots is jarring nonetheless. How many other stories like Wade’s are out there, waiting for the grime of history to be wiped off?

RATING: Thought-provoking

LIMBERLOST

BY ROBBIE ARNOTT

Review by Mandi McIntosh

Limberlost is Tasmanian author Robbie Arnott’s third novel and is full of absolutely beautiful storytelling. It is a departure from his first two novels which contained elements of magical realism, but the magic is definitely present in this book in the power of his writing. Limberlost is a perfect introduction to Arnott for newcomers but will also be enjoyed by those who read his earlier bestselling works.

Arnott is an impressive young author who is going from strength to strength. His debut novel, Flames (2018), won The Sydney Morning Herald prize for Best Young Australian Novelist and the Tasmanian Premier’s Literary Prize. His second, The Rain Heron (2020), won The Age Book of the Year, and was shortlisted for the Miles Franklin Literary Award along with a host of other awards.

This book will definitely be shortlisted for a range of prizes this year as the writing is beautiful, and we fall for the young Ned, who lives at Limberlost, an orchard in Tasmania. Ned’s brothers are away at the war, and he lives with his dad and his sister who has suddenly returned home. The narrative weaves through Ned’s life, but we mostly spend time in his 15th summer as he navigates the silence at his house, the grief of missing family and the joys of friends and escaping on to the waterways.

This is a lyrical tale and one that will stay with you due to the charm of the characters and the beauty of the writing. Australian fiction at its best. RATING: Brilliant

For a steamy summer read…

Seeing Other People by Diana Reid

For something unexpected…

Tiny Uncertain Miracles by Michelle Johnston

To support a local talent…

An Ordinary Ecstasy by Luke Carman