A review by rosiebrown
On a Barbarous Coast by Craig Cormick, Harold Ludwick

adventurous informative slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

A different take on the historical story of how Captain Cook came to Australia in 1770. Instead of making it ashore the boat runs into trouble and the crew scatters. Those that make it to shore must face the prospect of surviving in a hostile and foreign land, avoiding the dangers posed by the savages that inhabit it. Or even more significant the dangers they pose each other. Conversely it tells the tale of the indigenous Australians who watch from afar as white ghosts descend upon their shores. I loved the use of Indigenous language throughout the accounts of the native Australians and the descriptions of indigenous culture and their knowledge of flora and fauna. I felt as though I needed to stop and reflect upon what it must have been like for both parties and the danger of judging something before you take the time to try and understand it. The book did read a little slow, with the majority of story taking place on the beach, I would’ve liked to hear more about how they were able to take up their lives within the indigenous communities.