Aboriginal fantasy novels

[Briar Rose]

Does anyone know of any fantasy novels using Dreamtime mythology, or written by an Aboriginal person, or even set in a Australian-type landscape? They seem really hard to find. The only one I could find was The Nargun and the Stars.

[Ryan]

DREAMTIME - AN ABORIGINAL ODYSSEY fits this category, but I only gave it two stars. I think plenty of people would justifiably give it one star.

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

The Interrogation of Ashala Wolf series is fantasy written by an indigenous Australian. I gave it five stars but haven't had the opportunity to move on in the series yet.
My review of the first book:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Leonie]

Phrynne wrote: "The Interrogation of Ashala Wolf series is fantasy written by an indigenous Australian. I gave it five stars but haven't had the opportunity to move on in the series yet.
My review ..."

I'd second this one! I'm hoping to read all the others shortly.

[Sally906]

Phrynne wrote: "The Interrogation of Ashala Wolf series is fantasy written by an indigenous Australian. I gave it five stars but haven't had the opportunity to move on in the series yet.
My review ..."

I haven't read this series yet but my daughter is raving over it - unlike me she doesn't rave lightly :)

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

I liked the first one very much but when I went to get the second it was a bit pricey for an ebook. I might encourage my library to get them:)

[Sally906]

Mandy borrowed hers from the library - said same as you - too expensive for an ebook

[Briar Rose]

Thank you for the suggestions, I'm going to check out that Ashala Wolf book!

[Deb]

Briar Rose wrote: "Does anyone know of any fantasy novels using Dreamtime mythology, or written by an Aboriginal person, or even set in a Australian-type landscape? They seem really hard to find. The only one I could..."

I find myself recommending these a lot recently : The Darklands Trilogy starting with the first book by Anthony Eaton. It is postapocalyptic in era, but it takes a while for that to sink in if you don't already know (as you do now, but I didn't when I read it). The setting landscapes are Australian, desert in the first one and exceptionally well described. The people are obviously the descendants of today's desert dwellers, many of whom are aboriginal.

Incidentally, I am watching this thread with interest, since I would LOVE to read more fantasy based on the Dreamtime, such a wealth of mythology being ignored there!

[Briar Rose]

Deborah wrote: "Briar Rose wrote: "Does anyone know of any fantasy novels using Dreamtime mythology, or written by an Aboriginal person, or even set in a Australian-type landscape? They seem really hard to find. T..."

Thanks for the rec Deborah, looks interesting!

I think it's an ignored area too - such a pity because it's a rich place to draw original fantasy from. I am so tired of European-style fantasy novels. Medieval England + magic has been done to death! There are more novels drawing on other mythologies and histories now, but the Dreamtime seems like a mostly unexplored area. I really want to hear Aboriginal voices too - there are far too few in fiction!

[Deb]

I agree Briar Rose. There is one story in the graphic novel series Hellblazer that uses the rainbow serpent and the Dreamtime and I was super thrilled when I found it.

Mutant Message down under is fantasy, but it claims to be real. Basically it is a scam so I would recommend staying away from it.

There are also the novels of Terry Dowling they are set in Australia but I would call them heavy sci-fi rather than fantasy.

[Bruce]

In the Skin of a Monster (released last year, Allen&Unwin) is fantasy set in Australia, but no indigenous element. I wish they would make a novel or graphic novel of Cleverman...I don't have time to watch the show, but I'd definitely read it if it were novelised!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

In the Skin of a Monster by Kathryn Barker

Is this the one Bruce?

[Bruce]

Brenda wrote: "In the Skin of a Monster by Kathryn Barker

Is this the one Bruce?"

The very same!

[Bruce]

There's also Crow Country by Kate Constable which has been on my to read list for ages. It's a lower YA mysterywith a bit of time travel and I think I remember reading that it had a bit of indigenous folklore in it.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Crow Country by Kate Constable

Thanks Bruce :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

This book fits your criteria Briar Rose

Loreless by P.J. Whittlesea

I haven't read it and it's a new release as well :)

[Sally906]

Brenda wrote: "In the Skin of a Monster by Kathryn Barker

Is this the one Bruce?"

That was a DNF for me - hated it

[Stef]

There was The Kadaitcha Sung but it was misogynist, violent and very disturbing :/

[Leonie]

I believe The Swan Book by Alexis Wright is probably also one in this category. I have it on my TBR list.

[Carolyn]

Leonie wrote: "I believe The Swan Book by Alexis Wright is probably also one in this category. I have it on my TBR list."
Thanks, it's on my TBR list

[Peter]

I don't know if these are the kinds of books you're after, or if you're still interested after nearly a year, but have you read The Rocks of Honey? I read it a long time ago, can't remember if it's a kids' book.

Also The Red Chief by Ion Idriess, one of the few books I've read several times.

This page might be worth a browse too:
https://www.creativespirits.info/reso...

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

The Rocks Of Honey by Patricia Wrightson (published 1960)

Red Chief, The by Ion L. Idriess (published 1953)

Thanks so much Peter :)

[Peter]

Is it a convention to link to books' pages here when you mention them? How do you do it?

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

The only reason we like it being done is that it's easy for the members to click straight on the book link to check the book out :) The way you do it - in your comment box it says "add book/author" in the top right hand corner. Click on that and type in your title or ISBN. When the correct one shows, click "add" and it'll enter the comment box. Then you can go back in and do the same for author :) Good luck!

[Peter]

Thanks, I just read that in the How To post at the top. That option isn't there in the app, I'll have to use the web interface instead.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

No I don't think it works with the app - laptop is fine of course :)

[Carolyn]

I would be interested to hear people's thoughts on Aboriginal fantasy as it seems to have changed considerably in the past year. I started writing my first YA fantasy novel five years ago, set in Australia with supernatural themes. It seemed disrespectful to ignore Indigenous themes in that at the time, but I don't have Aboriginal heritage. I absolutely appreciate why cultural appropriation should be avoided, so where do people think the line should be drawn here? Not trying to start any controversy (promise), just genuinely trying to get a feel for what people think.

[Peter]

Don't know much about it myself, but this might be interesting reading:
https://www.wheelercentre.com/notes/2...

But it seems to be more about avoiding stereotyping than appropriation. Could linking indigenous characters with supernatural happenings count as stereotyping?

[Carolyn]

Very good question! Thanks for the link. Has some useful tips