Told from the perspective of two people on opposing sides of the clash of cultures comes a poignant novel that probes the whispered history of Trouwerner/Van Diemen's Land, the island that became Tasmania.
1814: Umarrah, a young Aboriginal man, is rescued from drowning by George, the son of Van Diemen's Land settlers. Umarrah cultivates their emerging friendship to gain information on the abduction of his sister Planobeena and intelligence on the island's invaders. He becomes reluctantly sympathetic to George's struggles with his brutish stepfather. George embraces Umarrah's company but hides a growing desperation for land of his own.
European settler numbers increase and block seasonal Aboriginal clan movements. George hears of a possible sighting of Planobeena. He and Umarrah argue over how to respond. Local clans are fired on by settlers. George shelters the clans on his new farm, angering locals, while Umarrah becomes thirsty for revenge.
As the early years of relative peace are replaced by increasing violence, Umarrah becomes entangled in government efforts to conciliate Aboriginal people, while also leading others in the fight for his homeland.
Meanwhile, George's plans for his farm are thwarted by the authorities and he is suspected of colluding with the enemy. Umarrah and George's relationship comes under increasing strain.
Featuring characters and events from the historical record, the narrative moves between the rivers and sweeping plains of Tasmania's northern midlands to the centre of colonial government.
Umarrah & George is an eloquent portrayal of the complicated friendship between a feared Aboriginal leader determined to save his people and a young settler struggling to build a future. A must for fans of Australian historical fiction grounded in real life events and characters.
