Nan Chauncy (1900–1970)

Was discussing Port Davey with friends recently and it reminded me to re-read this old favourite. Set off the wild and rugged coast of South West Tasmania this is the interwoven story of two schoolgirls, marooned at Port Davey during the second world war, and of a cruise on a yacht in the 1960s which leads to the discovery of what happened to them. Very evocative of the coast (Nan Chauncy is a Tasmanian author) and wonderfully illustrated by Victor Ambrus. A rather odd but, none the less show more facinating, story for teenagers that is equally enjoyable for adults. show less

Nan Chauncy is a surprise packet of an author. Reading her as a child I imbibed so many good values which made sense to me, and mirrored the values taught in my family. For instance: love of the Tasmanian environment and the need to protect and conserve it before such subjects were really taken much notice of. Then there is her shrewd but kindly depiction of her juvenile characters with all their problems and character faults, and how they improve and mature as teenagers with the right input show more form their parents and relatives. As the families live in isolated places where they need to depend on each other and become resourceful there is no real influence from the wider community until the older children go away to Hobart to board with reliable people while they attend school. The adventures and experiences they have at home exploring their secret but unforgiving world (eg the need to look out for bushfires), are the best preparation for coping with this change and handling the different people they meet with level and sensible heads.
This native Tasmanian author obviously loves her home, and describes it so well that the sunsets glow and the unusual wildflowers and moss filled glades sparkle like a fairyland. The line illustrations bring out the strength and quirkiness of the adults perfectly and the various stages of the children as they grow from forthrightly toddlers to gangly youngsters finding their place in their own world.
I still read these bools and find as much enjoyment and insight in them as I did as a girl and recommend them to parents for good bedtime reading for their children, and to encourage children's curiousity in the world of nature and in becoming better people themselves. This book should also be on library shelves. show less

Children's

I've only previously read (and loved) Nan Chauncey's "High and Haunted Island) so was inspired to pursue some of her other children's fiction - starting with her classic "They found a cave". A beautifully written story of English evacuee children fending for themselves in the Tasmanian bush (with the assistance of a local boy) after the flee mistreatment at the hands of their aunt's housekeepers. The plot point about the aboriginal remains jars modern ears, but it is still a delightful and show more evocative read. The ebook edition I bought has been reissued as part of the Text Classics series and includes an introduction by John Marsden. show less