 Word On Books
with Jeremy Fenton
Ludwig Leichardt's Journal of an Overland Expedition in Australia 1844-45
Introduction by Les Hiddens, Published by Corkwood Press
 In 1844 and 1845 one of Australia's epic historical journeys took place, when Dr Ludwig Leichardt became the first white man to cross from Moreton Bay to Port Essington on the Coberg peninsula (now part of the Northern Territory).
For the benefit of those not accompanying him (and for posterity), Leichardt kept a comprehensive journal overflowing with descriptions of the incredible country he passed through. It's this journal that Les Hiddens (yes, he of the bush tucker fame) has released as part of his ongoing facsimile series on Australian explorers.
At the time, Leichardt's third expedition was the most ambitious piece of exploration attempted in the colony - and the man makes an interesting historical study. To this day, and despite his achievements, he still manages to cause a degree of controversy over his skills as an explorer and his ability to manage men. Many strongly believe he didn't pass muster at either! In particular, and probably rightly so, his treatment of two Aboriginal guides has not endeared him to modern sensibilities.
Whatever the case, on his fourth expedition Leichardt and party went missing and their fate is unknown to this day.
A journal in its entirety, as this is, will not be to everyone's liking. Verbatim historical reportage doesn't necessarily make for well-paced or exciting reading. That aside, Leichardt's journal is a valuable and key part of Australian history and discovery that we would be the poorer for without its publication.
The Blue Feather
By Gary Crew and Michael O'Hara, Published by Sceptre
The Blue Feather begins with a big promise. For centuries, if not longer, there have been rumours and stories about a giant bird living in the remote areas of Australia. It may now be responsible for the death of a hang glider - the first modern physical proof that such a creature lives.
Could a bird that is said to be 20 metres across be able to escape detection for so long? Is there more to it all than folk tales and myth?
In its first pages, The Blue Feather more than entices by providing an introduction of seemingly unconnected newspaper and other reports that hint at something strange and unexplained happening.
It could have been the start of an inspired thriller-cum-detective yarn, but the writing from that point on is quite pedestrian. Unable to connect on any real emotional level, the book just seems to move too fast from incident to incident without building any actual suspense as to whether the giant bird really exists.
Rapidly things degenerate into a bizarre and unsatisfying combination of mystic quest/coming of age story.
Writing (and old adages about judging books by their covers) aside, this is a beautifully presented novel with lovely soft-focus illustrations and strange, enticing diagrams sprinkled throughout. Unfortunately they are all whistles and bells signifying nothing of importance or real entertainment value.
Perhaps some great ideas got lost in the shared authorship, a method of writing that in any hands but the very best is prone to produce compromised visions and soulless creations.
Tales of giant blue birds, quasi-mysticism, romance and tear-away boys just don't do it for me these days. Though it might appeal to anyone who still inhabits the world of Richard Bach and his seminal new-age book Illusions (in which a blue feather also plays a starring role).
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