Red Heart

by Victor Kelleher

This novel is set in an apocalyptic world many years into the future of Australia. Young Nat journeys along the vast reaches of the Darling River to search for his uncle, and is plunged into a grim and frightening world.

223 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Victor Kelleher is an Australian author. Victor was born in London and moved to Africa with his parents, at the age of fifteen. He spent the next twenty years travelling and studying in Africa, before moving to New Zealand. Kelleher received a teaching degree in Africa and has taught in Africa, New Zealand and Australia. While in New Zealand, he began writing part time, prompted by homesickness for Africa. He moved to Australia in 1976, with his South African wife, Allison, and taught at the University of New England, in Armidale, New South Wales, before moving to Sydney to write full time. Many of the books he has written have been based on his childhood and his travellings in Africa.

Kelleher has won many awards for his books, such as the Australian Children's Book Award.

Reviews

[Nada · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It is almost sci-fi like being set in the future when human beings have all but destroyed the land and resources for which we currently rely. I liked that the story was set in Australia and as a consequence was relatable in at the very least place names and wildlife. The protagonist was very honourable and there was a clear message to the story herein. I would highly recommend this book to young adults. It is a little gruesome so the audience does need to be in their late teens at the very least. Again, well done on a well written novel that suspended reality quite readily.