The Wreckers' Revenge by Norman Jorgensen
Fremantle Press, 2019, ISBN: 9781925815450.
(Age: 11-14) Recommended. Themes: Piracy, Courage, Colonisation,
Coming of Age. Norman Jorgenson's swashbuckling tale The
Wrecker's Revenge sees young Red Read sent away to Christian
Brothers' College in Perth after his adventures at sea. He dislikes
the cold weather, food, finds only English and Geography worthwhile
and doesn't tolerate the bullying he observes. When he fights one of
the Brothers hitting a smaller student with a leather strop, Red is
quickly locked up and sentenced by a cruel magistrate to 20 birch
lashes. Whilst locked in jail, Red noticed mysterious writing and
numbers on the wall, William Dampier, bulyon, Coconut Island.
Luckily his guardian Captain Black Bowen rescues him and he's
returned to his seafaring family aboard the Black Dragon.
Captain Bowen's keen for a new adventure, searching for the Dutch
explorer's hidden treasure. He's also on the run from the law for
meting out revenge on the cruel magistrate, shooting him in his
backside. On their journey up the treacherous Western Australian
coastline, they are pursued by five pearl luggers from Broome keen
to reach Dampier's treasure first. Armed with cannons, salvaged from
a Dutch shipwreck, a fierce battle ensues. Their dramatic escape is
just one of the many close encounters on their journey to the Cocos
Islands. Collecting bat guano to make gunpowder, climbing the
ratlines to keep lookout in the crow's nest, assisting the crew as
they prepare for battle, Red Read's ship-board life is filled with
excitement and danger. He learns to think creatively, assisting
Shakespeare quoting Captain Bowen, and the crew fight the 'vicious,
revenge crazed wreckers.'
Red's journey is filled with danger; for days he sails one of the
captured luggers after the crew die from typhoid fever. He just
escapes a close encounter with a shark, and finally returns home to
Broom receiving a special reward for his bravery.
Norman Jorgensen's dramatic novel delivers fast-paced action,
colourful characters and historical insights into the history of
Western Australian. He challenges the stereotype roles of women and
indigenous peoples and comments on the impact of colonisation. His
protagonist, Red Read is wise beyond his years, resilient, willing
to learn and has a strength of character. Violence is portrayed,
revenge is handed out and fierce battles are fought.
The Wreckers' Revenge is a thrilling read for fans of
pirates, Australian history and daring adventures.
Rhyllis Bignell