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henrymarlene's review
3.0
Thank you @allenandunwin for this gifted ARC. 'On A Barbarous Coast' is the retelling of Cook's journey along the far north coast of Australia. The dependence on local Aboriginal tribes for survival replaces the history we know, where so many of the Aboriginal population lost their lives because of Cook and his crew. This collaboration - between a Bulgan Warra man / researcher and an australian writer/ academic - gave a voice to those from long ago. Ludwick's ancestral connection and deep knowledge of the land, water and culture is delivered through a young male named Garrgiill. Cormick provides a narrative through Magra, who was based on a shipman who was believed to write an account of the Endeavour and James Cook in the 1700s. If this was the history record left before us, would things be different, and by how much? The observations in each chapter make so much sense. The deliberate watching and curiousness between the white sailors and Aboriginal tribes of each other seemed surreal, but so possible and equally heartbreaking that this part of history never occured this way.
gfruzsi's review
4.0
On a Barbarous Coast by Craig Cormick and Harold Ludwick is a reimagination of Captain James Cook’s arrival to Australia. It's the story of a past and a future that might have been.
In this past, Captain Cook’s Endeavour is shipwrecked off the coast of far north Australia, leaving only a small band of survivors who make it to land.
The storytelling is split into two, the perspective of the survivors on this strange land interwoven with the perspective of the Guugu Yimidhirr people, who are trying to decide whether these strange spirits are friend or foe.
As the fate of all these men unfolds and as both groups struggle with the dangers that lie ahead (often at the hand of the people you consider your own), this book takes you to the heart of what it means to belong.
It’s a meditation on fear of the unknown, on natural curiosity, and on humanity - on both sides of history. On the ugly and the beautiful, on the old and the new. On what it is we consider the natural way of things, and how might that differ for others.
It’s filled with the type of self-awareness each of us would’ve liked to have. It’s a fairytale, in a way, and yet there are unexpected moments of questioning yourself: could things really have turned out this way?
On a Barbarous Coast is hopeful and it isn’t, but it’s precisely this duality that took me on the ride, and I came out on the other end knowing more than before.
I think it’s a must read.
In this past, Captain Cook’s Endeavour is shipwrecked off the coast of far north Australia, leaving only a small band of survivors who make it to land.
The storytelling is split into two, the perspective of the survivors on this strange land interwoven with the perspective of the Guugu Yimidhirr people, who are trying to decide whether these strange spirits are friend or foe.
As the fate of all these men unfolds and as both groups struggle with the dangers that lie ahead (often at the hand of the people you consider your own), this book takes you to the heart of what it means to belong.
It’s a meditation on fear of the unknown, on natural curiosity, and on humanity - on both sides of history. On the ugly and the beautiful, on the old and the new. On what it is we consider the natural way of things, and how might that differ for others.
It’s filled with the type of self-awareness each of us would’ve liked to have. It’s a fairytale, in a way, and yet there are unexpected moments of questioning yourself: could things really have turned out this way?
On a Barbarous Coast is hopeful and it isn’t, but it’s precisely this duality that took me on the ride, and I came out on the other end knowing more than before.
I think it’s a must read.
read_with_pinot's review against another edition
3.25
less alternative history more shipwreck survivor story
rhodaj's review
3.0
Thank you to Allen & Unwin for sending me an uncorrected proof of this book to review.
This book is the re-telling of Captain Cook’s landing on Australian soil and is mostly told from the perspective of Magra, a midshipman. There is also a small part of the book narrated by Garrgiil, an indigenous boy. To give much more detail than this would spoil the book for other readers.
Soooo, the sections narrated by Garrgiil on Aboriginal customs, language and connection to land make this book worth reading as they are both interesting and beautiful. However this only accounts for about 20% of the book. I wish this had been much more of a focus of the book, as these parts were delightful.
The majority of the book is from the white man’s perspective and for the most part, they spend their time whingeing and complaining and generally behaving badly and like complete savages
This book is the re-telling of Captain Cook’s landing on Australian soil and is mostly told from the perspective of Magra, a midshipman. There is also a small part of the book narrated by Garrgiil, an indigenous boy. To give much more detail than this would spoil the book for other readers.
Soooo, the sections narrated by Garrgiil on Aboriginal customs, language and connection to land make this book worth reading as they are both interesting and beautiful. However this only accounts for about 20% of the book. I wish this had been much more of a focus of the book, as these parts were delightful.
The majority of the book is from the white man’s perspective and for the most part, they spend their time whingeing and complaining and generally behaving badly and like complete savages
readingwithcake's review
3.0
Firstly this would have been a four star review except I found it disjointed due to the storyline jumping all over the place and I also didn’t like our main character, Magra. I didn’t connect with his part of the storyline and it was predominantly his POV. My favourite part of the book was the POV of Garrgiil, I enjoyed learning about the Guugu Yimidhirr people. It was fascinating to learn about their traditions and how misinterpreted their actions were by the British. Obviously this is a fictitious story however I do not doubt that similar occurrences happened between the two peoples meeting. My other favourite part was at the end when the men assimilated into the Guugu Yimidhirr tribe. This was what I was waiting for and offered the alternative ending to the colonisation of Australia. I found this book, particularly at the end, to be thoroughly educational and enjoyed this new take on the discovery of Australia by Cook and their interactions with First Nations people. This take on history demonstrates what could have happened if there had been a different approach to making contact with the Indigenous peoples and every other continent that was colonised by Europeans.
rosiebrown's review
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.
underscripted's review
DNF - I just couldn't get into it and I never felt the need to pick it up...
ellahart's review
1.0
I was incredibly excited to read a fictional retelling of Captain Cook’s arrival that would explore a marriage of European and Aboriginal culture and that didn’t involve the genocide of Australia’s First Nation People. What I read instead was utterly boring and disappointing. Majority of the book was in the perspective of a white and racist European/American dude, who is primarily concerned about his next meal and the in-house politics of his shipmates. While historically accurate, it was such a huge led down to what could have been a really interesting fictional piece. Not only that, but Bama man Garrgiil’s chapters, which were some sort of insight to dreamtime and connection to land, were super short. It only got kind of interesting in the last 50 pages where the white marines and the Bama people met and shared culture. Thank you, next.