Welcome back readers! As we bid adieu to the month of gradual recovery from holiday libations and get back into the swing of things, we can at least be treated to another brilliant book club pick!

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A Piece of Red Cloth by Leonie Norrington, Merrkiyawuy Ganambarr-Stubbs, Djawa Burarrwanga and Djawundil Maymuru is unlike any novel I’ve read before. It is an entirely immersive and enthralling story based on an historical tale that has travelled through generations by oral tradition. Set in pre-colonial Australia in the late 1600s on Arnhem Land, Yolŋu Country, A Piece of Red Cloth is a richly layered and atmospheric novel that combines historical fiction, family drama, spirituality and suspense against the vibrant backdrop of everyday life.

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Told through multiple perspectives, the authors have created a detailed account of customs, ceremonies, rituals, and relationships with families, elders, travellers, as well as the relationship with Country. We’re immediately absorbed into the story of Batjani, a Yolŋu family matriarch, who is apprehensive about the annual visit from Macassan traders (referred to as the Foreigners) after receiving foreboding signs warning of their arrival. While the relationship has been mutually respectful between the traders and Yolŋu families, an attack on a Yolŋu girl the previous year has Batjani wary that it could happen again, especially when close attention is paid to her young granddaughter Garritji.

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As Batjani carefully plans to keep Garritji and the younger children safe over the coming days, confiding in the few people she knows she can trust, evil is lurking aboard one of the Foreigners’ boats and a despicable crime is threatening to unfold outside of her control. In the tense lead up to an inevitable confrontation, A Piece of Red Cloth is layered with suspense and Batjani’s frustration and betrayal is keenly felt.  Lawman Ŋambatj’s communication with his ancestors warns that the Foreigners are not to be trusted and a greater menace, the Barbarians, endanger their way of life. I couldn’t tear myself away from the dramatic and magical resolution of this transcendent story that culminates in older women drawing on their powers to subdue their enemies after a ferocious attack.

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There are so many factors in A Piece of Red Cloth that make this novel such a stand-out read, the fascinating history and backstory alone are enough to make you want to pick up this book, and the colourful tapestry the authors weave of Yolŋu life set in this time is truly captivating. This is the kind of book you could talk about for hours and still find ground to cover. An excellent choice for any book club and reader.

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