Quotes
“[An] exceedingly powerful debut.
Wilson’s compelling story carries us through forest and over plains, leaving a
trail of dead men.” Chicago Tribune
“One of the best first novels
I’ve read all year…The urgency of the chase, carefully chiseled language,
exotic characters, and dangerous conflict with each other—it’s all here.” NPR
“An extremely skillful book telling a horror
story, and the young writer’s maturity takes your breath away…Not for the
fainthearted…Wilson writes in spectacularly beautiful prose.” Courier Mail (Brisbane)
“The Roving Party is distinguished by Wilson’s
tactful and restrained account of a brutal episode in the history of the
conflict between European newcomers and the original inhabitants of Van Diemen’s
Land. His restraint renders the horrors he depicts far more vivid and their
ethical implications much more telling than other melodramatic, at times
tub-thumping, approaches…Evocative and impressive.” Sydney Morning Herald
“[A] grim and astonishing novel.” Australian Book Review
“A grim and bloody tone poem that
follows the historical figure John Batman and a motley assemblage of men
through the Tasmanian bush as they hunt Aborigines in 1829…Wilson gives
special, gruesome attention to the massacre of dogs. For neither the faint of
heart nor those who prefer strong plots, Wilson’s work will nonetheless gratify
fans of more bleak and rugged times.” Kirkus Reviews
“Australian first-novelist
Wilson writes beautifully, equally expert in describing the magical land as he
is with Aboriginal dialect.” Booklist
“Wilson uses this group of morally
corrupt men to examine a dark time in the nation’s history.” Publishers Weekly
“Danger and uncertainty are evoked
in this gritty, masculine tale of racial violence in early-nineteenth-century
Tasmania. Shaun Grindell is an excellent narrator. He moves swiftly through a
complex cast of male characters, distinguishing one from another through
changes in pitch, diction, and tone. The raspy quality of Grindell’s voice
suggests the harsh realities of life in the wilderness. He is most successful
at dialogue, capturing the wide range of accents among the main characters and
differentiating the white pursuers from their native prey. Those who enjoy
literary tales in audio will find much to admire in this volume. Winner of
AudioFile Earphones Award.” AudioFile
