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A review by gumnutcity
No More Boats by Felicity Castagna
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
No More Boats by Felicity Castagna is about confusion, identity, ordinariness and both possession and dispossession. Antonio identifies with those who believe there should be no more boats - he takes a stand against boat people, embarrassing his family, and attracting violent supporters. Anti-boat arrival sentiment is strong in parts of Australia, so strong that it drives the policies of both major political parties. It’s sadly ironic that most of us arrived by boat. What is it about boat arrivals?
It’s not a novel to enjoy: it’s a novel that makes me think and some of that thinking makes me uncomfortable. How do we decide who belongs and why? Why is difference so frightening? Are we so fragile in our sense of self that we fear any difference? I wish I could say that things have improved since August 2001, but I'm not sure I can.
It’s not a novel to enjoy: it’s a novel that makes me think and some of that thinking makes me uncomfortable. How do we decide who belongs and why? Why is difference so frightening? Are we so fragile in our sense of self that we fear any difference? I wish I could say that things have improved since August 2001, but I'm not sure I can.