Wanderer

By Victor Kelleher

ISBN 9780645378818

Cover and internal illustrations by Lorena Carrington

Published August 2022 by Eagle Books, an imprint of Christmas Press

RRP $19.99

About the book:

In a dangerous world where predators both human and animal roam the land and the sea, an orphaned young boatman, Dane, lives by his wits. He wanders alone, doing what he can to survive both the terrors of the water and the violent depredations of the Clan – a group of warriors who raid settlements and hunt down any trace of the old knowledge derived from the mythical ‘Golden Years’.

Along with his precious kayak and his few weapons, Dane holds another treasure close. It’s a battered old book given to him by his mother, long ago, a book that’s a source of comfort even in the hardest of times.

 Because of damage to his Kayak, and following a scene of pillage by the Clan, Dane goes in search of an old man named Garth who is reputed to have great boat-building skills. This encounter with the book-loving old man and his fund of stories, but more especially with his extraordinary grand-daughter Lana, will change everything for Dane. And it will set him and Lana on a dangerous and unpredictable quest that will lead them to discover unwelcome truths about their world, and themselves…

The first middle-grade novel for over fifteen years by the eminent, multi-award-winning writer Victor Kelleher, Wanderer is not only an exciting, immersive adventure set in a brilliantly-imagined alternative world: it is also a lyrical love song to the power of books and stories.

SHORTLISTED FOR THE PATRICIA WRIGHTSON PRIZE, 2023 NSW PREMIER’S LITERARY AWARDS

Read some reviews of the book here, here and here.

About the author:

With many novels to his credit, Victor Kelleher has written successfully for both adults and for young people. Formerly an associate professor of English, he has long since devoted himself full-time to fiction. He is a past winner of the Children’s Book Council of Australia’s Book of the Year Award, has twice received the CBCA Honour Award, and has either won or been short-listed for many other such prizes, including the Science Fiction Achievement Award and a short-listing for the Carnegie Medal. Wanderer, like much of his fiction, reflects his deep concern for the natural world. He currently lives in Tasmania with his artist wife.

Selected reviews:

With danger at every turn and constant action that grinds to a dramatic climax, Wanderer by Victor Kelleher grips the reader from the start, never letting up on the drama, tension, and conflict. This novel stood out for its strong narrative voice and for its child protagonists who remain in control of their own destinies throughout. Theirs is a high-stakes, life-and-death struggle against the decaying, lawless world around them as they must battle and attempt to outwit adults, wild animals, and nature itself.  This middle-grade novel is set in a dystopian future where ocean levels have risen and society has crumbled. Young Dane and his new friend, Lana, must complete a perilous quest that focuses on special treasures: precious, rare books. And, yet, Wanderer is also much more than this. It’s a tale of friendship, courage, endurance, and a warning of what the future may hold for humanity. (NSW Premier’s Literary Awards judges’ comments on Wanderer)

Victor Kelleher has lost none of his touch in this fast-paced adventure in a world far removed from what we take for granted. They must survive by their wits and the skills learned through hard work. It’s a beautiful story of friendship, and explores the trust that is required between them for Dane and Lana to survive against all odds. Wanderer is also a homage to the power of books and stories, in the hope that if they keep the books safe they can help rebuild their world. This is sure to be loved by all those in upper primary and lower secondary. (Lamont Books)

Multi-award winner, Victor Kelleher, has crafted his first middle grade novel in fifteen years with this gripping and absorbing post-apocalyptic narrative. If you think Waterworld for kids, you might get a little sense of the setting…. The novel explores themes of courage and tenacity, resilience and ingenuity, loyalty and friendship, survival and hope. And it is a celebration and testament to the power of story and books, and the wealth and comfort these provide to us mere mortals. I highly recommend it for able readers from around Year 6 upwards – though be mindful that there is descriptive episodes of violence throughout. (Kids Book Review)

Wanderer is an upper middle grade novel set in a striking and perilous landscape, perhaps a dystopian future. The natural world reigns supreme, warring tribes maraud land and sea, predators hunt and mankind cling to survive. Humanity it seems, has lost its way, almost at least…. A story of friendship, endurance, adversity, and sheer grit determination against all odds. Wanderer is a gripping multi-layered adventure that leaves echoes beyond the page. (Buzz Words)

 This book is powerfully written, there is tension and drama all the way through the wandering, and moments of violence are ever present and pervasive. In some ways I reflected that this book is like a strange mating of the Brotherband series by John Flanagan and Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. It explores the adventure of a quest, with the drama of a world that has lost its connection to literature. Along the way there are references to other ‘stories’ and other books, with a reference to Golding’s Lord the Flies as a notable connection to the thematic exploration of brutality in society, and The Hobbit as a literature example of a quest to protect something precious. As an example of speculative fiction, it postulates that something awful has happened in the world to lead to the destruction of the ‘Golden years’, this too gives much room to consider the direction of our world and even older readers will find value in reading this book and musing over the ideas that are explored within it. This is an awesome book, but not for the faint-hearted as there is violence at every turn. But the consideration of the idea of the value of literature, even when reading is hard, is worthwhile. This is a book to recommend to mature readers aged 12-adult, they will not want to put it down. (ReadPlus)