When it was published last year, I was drawn to Robbie Arnott’s Limberlost by its title. It reminded me of a much-loved children’s book, Girl of the Limberlost by Gene Stratton-Porter, a book alluded to in Arnott’s novel. The 1909 children’s book told the story of a lonely girl growing up in the Limberlost Swamp in Indiana. Arnott’s Limberlost contains similar themes. It too is a coming-of-age story, this time centred on a motherless adolescent boy who is finely attuned to the natural world around him.
Limberlost takes us deep into the thoughts and feelings of 15-year-old Ned over the course of his summer holidays from school. The novel is set towards the end of the second world war. During that fateful summer, Ned works on his father’s Tasmanian orchard and shoots rabbits whose pelts will be used to make slouch hats for Australian soldiers. He saves what he earns to buy a boat.
Ned’s father is a man of few words and Ned follows his example. His only companions are Jackbird, a friend from school, Jackbird’s sister Callie, and the trees, rivers, and animals in the bush surrounding the orchard. Along with his father and sister Maggie, Ned waits for his two brothers to return from the war.
Ned dreams of winning the admiration of his older brothers with his boat and by cultivating skills to impress them. Arnott describes his actions in lyrical detail which reinforces the impression we gain of the thought and persistence with which Ned approaches every challenge. As I reader, I was completely captivated by Ned and his world.
Immediately after reaching the emotional end of Limberlost, I began to read the book again, this time to savour Arnott’s beautiful writing. The novel contains passages which resonate with the beauty of the unspoiled Tasmanian landscape of the time. The words are so well chosen that they demand re-reading. The dialogue is similarly striking, true to the succinct communication style of country Australians of this generation. I was also struck by Arnott’s effective use of adjectives. He combines the use of strong adjectives and verbs to produce unforgettable images of people and place.
Limberlost is a novel I will remember for a long time. I have been recommending it to friends as one of the best novels I have read this year. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did. It’s even better a second time.
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