Rosemary Hayes

The story of the Batavia is one that has been told already in “Strange Objects” by Gary Crew but it is such an amazing tale. Once again, it is the exiled mutineers Jan and Wouter that Hayes focuses on as the story of being marooned on Australia 140 years before Captain Cook’s “discovery” that makes fascinating reading. This book must be 9-10 as the mutineers raped and degraded the women who were marooned after the Batavia ran aground on the W.A. coast.

Rather violent in parts.

I had reservations about this book.
The writing felt as if it were directed towards younger teenagers, 10 to 14 perhaps, but I thought the violence was a bit excessive for that age group, particularly girls. The murder of another cabin boy, committed by Jan, and the obliteration of an entire family, including a toddler, do not make for cheerful reading.

The main character is Jan, a young cabin boy from Holland, who is travelling on the Bratavia to Java. He'd always show more wanted to be a sailor but life as a cabin boy is much harder than expected. He is easily swayed by the smallest bit of friendship shown and ends up following the sadistic Corneliez when disaster strikes and everyone takes sides.
As punishment for the crimes he commits he is put ashore on the coast of Australia and left with Wouter, a sailor, to fend for themselves.
All this is based on historical fact - just as well or I'd have thought it a bit far-fetched :) The historical note at the end of the book explains many of the events and comments on the Dutch features that are to be found amongst Aboriginal people.

Many YA books successfully make the cross-over into adult literature but this was a bit too simplistic.
An interesting subject though and I certainly learnt things about the blood line of the Aborigines of Australia that I hadn't previously known. show less

Fast-paced, realisitc story about a Pakistani girl living in London rejecting an arranged marriage made by her father when she was eight-years-old for payment of a debt.

Halima is one of four children; she has two older brothers, and a sister, Asma. They are brought up in a Pakistani village mainly by their dear mother Ammi because their father, Baba, is often away. He eventually decides that they should move to London, and that his children will get a good education. After a brief but expected period of adjustment, Halima finds that she enjoys her studies and her life in England very much. Then her sister reveals that Halima is to be married to a very show more arrogant, hard hearted man who acts like Halima is a piece of property. In fact, he actually tells her, "You are owed to me." Indeed, this turns out to be true; Baba promised his younger daughter to a man who helped him out in a business deal, and now the time has come to repay the debt, and the payment is Halima. It turns out she has no say in the matter, and her family expects her to fulfill her duty and marry this man. She feels she cannot possibly do this.
Payback is based on the real life story of a Muslim woman who was brave enough to defy her family and reject the husband who had been chosen for her. It is both thrilling and shocking, and provides a glimpse into matters that are quite complex and timely. A very gripping read. show less