Wild souls and irreverent humour enliven these timely award-winning books
Read together, these very different books ask a question: do we have to choose between hope for the future and accepting life in all its bizarre banality?
Two recent award-winning books, Every Wild Soul by Katherine Johnson and I Made This Just For You by Chris Ames, captivate readers with their unique perspectives on ecological matters and contemporary life. While Johnson's novel delves into environmental bureaucracy and fragile ecosystems on Maria Island, Tasmania, Ames' collection offers a humorous take on modern existence with absurd scenarios and satirical commentary.
Every Wild Soul, Johnson's fifth novel, follows two women, Min and Lucie, as they navigate their distinct life stages. Min, a sheltered teenager on Maria Island, forms strong bonds with a homeless biologist, Werner, who conducts environmental research. Meanwhile, Lucie, a former London journalist, returns to Tasmania to document rewilding efforts and grapples with her own pregnancy.
Johnson, a biologist herself, masterfully portrays Maria Island's biodiversity and sustainable efforts, ultimately emphasizing hope amidst ecological challenges.
I Made This Just For You, Ames' debut short-story collection, takes a lighter approach, poking fun at the quirks of 21st-century life. Through 17 stories, Ames highlights the absurdities of modern society, such as plastic surgery trends and the rise of online impersonation. Despite the humorous tone, each tale carries a profound reflection on the human condition, touching on themes of love, despair, and the search for meaning in a rapidly changing world.
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