Love and the Platypus
22 February 2010|
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The year is 1883 and William Caldwell is on a scientific expedition to Australia. His mission is to ascertain once and for all whether or not the platypus lays eggs. This strange antipodean creature has proved a puzzlement for European scientists and young William has a chance to make a name for himself by finding proof one way or the other. We share William’s fascination and sense of wonder at the natural world as he discovers the wildlife of Australia. He also encounters a few colourful characters, including a drunken bullocky driver, the mysterious, poetic bushman Ben, and the blind Miss Ettie and her Aboriginal ’sister’. These characters each harbour secrets of their own, and they both hinder and help William’s expedition. Drayson’s narrative has a gentle pace, and his background as a naturalist gives the story veracity. It is a bonus to learn at the end of the novel that William Caldwell was a real historical figure. Love and the Platypus is a love story, but it is not merely the story of William Caldwell’s first love. It is the story of a love of Australia, of its creatures and its landscape. Author: Nicholas Drayson Reviewer: Phoebe |
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