Ratwhiskers and Me

Lorraine Marwood (author)

Walker Books, Australia: 2008; 155pp

ISBN: 9781921150395

Genres: adventure, historical fiction, poetry, realistic fiction, verse novel

Issues: crime, ethics, friendship, loyalty, racism

Historical fiction of any sort for younger readers (<14yrs) is rare. To use prose poetry to capture such a dramatic, violent, turbulent period as early gold discovery in Australia is inspired.

For children, such times can seem dull. Poetry, by its very nature, captures the essence of an experience - actions, reactions, personalities and, above all, the intense emotions of those driven by gold fever.

The narrator of this story has a certain degree of amnesia but is haunted by memories of fire, fear, flight and the family left behind. As the youngster struggles to survive amongst the harsh, merciless miners, the dog Ratwhiskers offers protection and comfort. A Chinese lad is an unexpected ally and friend; later he provides much-needed sanctuary from the fearsome ‘Ellery' whose destructive nature threatens all.

Gold is a much romanticized mineral but the early fossicking and mining brought out the very worst in human nature - greed, cruelty, corruption and racism. In highly visual, taughtly drawn lines, Marwood's lyrical poetry pulls the reader into the touch, taste and smell of this dark and dangerous time.

Highly recommended.