Description
Ottavio, a former refugee from Sudan’s brutal civil war, lives in
Sydney, Australia; a place rich with opportunity and frustration. He
has a degree in engineering but works in a meat factory. He strives
to be responsible in the ways expected by his community—to look
after his brothers, his cousins, and to get married. Yet, Ottavio
feels like he is failing. Barely sleeping at night, he is unable to
forget what the war took from him, what he left behind.
To prove to himself that he has settled in his adopted country, he
volunteers to help other migrants learn English. In class, he meets
Alice, an Australian-born kawauja. She has a secure existence, a
mundane job, and a need to find more meaning in her own life.
But when tragedy strikes them both, they change in ways they
could never have imagined.
Blinding the Ghost’s Eye is a story of belonging—to countries and
families—a story of subjugation, of how we find comfort, and of
promises we cannot hope to keep.
Malcolm McKinnon –
Sara Maher’s new novel is a gripping read. I stayed up stay up late and devoured the book in one sitting. Aside from the strength of the narrative, it’s especially compelling for providing insights into the cultural obligations and troubled history that Sudanese refugees and migrants carry with them into their new life in Australia. The impacts of slavery as part of the common experience of so many Sudanese families in especially confronting. So, on one level, the book provides a valuable education, informed by the author’s long-term relationships with Australian Sudanese communities. It gives us a window into the lives of people that most of us know far too little about. In saying this, I don’t want to suggest that the book is dry or difficult. Because this is a novel that rips along. It’s well plotted and fluently written, with a cast of characters that offer real depth and substance. Highly recommended.
Malcolm McKinnon –
Sara Maher’s new novel is a gripping read. I stayed up stay up late and devoured the book in one sitting. Aside from the strength of the narrative, it’s especially compelling for providing insights into the cultural obligations and troubled history that Sudanese refugees and migrants carry with them into their new life in Australia. The impacts of slavery as part of the common experience of so many Sudanese families in especially confronting. So, on one level, the book provides a valuable education, informed by the author’s long-term relationships with Australian Sudanese communities. It gives us a window into the lives of people that most of us know far too little about. In saying this, I don’t want to suggest that the book is dry or difficult. Because this is a novel that rips along. It’s well plotted and fluently written, with a cast of characters that offer real depth and substance. Highly recommended.
admin –
Malcolm Mckinnon, thank so much for having reviewed this excellent novel I wish service providers and young people could read it there is a lot to learn from this book.