Book Review – The Swan Book

The Swan Book is set in a distant future Australia, centres around Oblivia Ethylene. Oblivia is a mute girl living in a brutal and harsh world under the effects of severe climate change.

Oblivia’s life unfolds as she learns to survive the most difficult conditions, supported by memorable characters like Aunty Bella Donna, Rigoletto a talking monkey and three genies with doctorates to name a few.

The story tracks Oblivia’s life from being a victim of a vicious attack, living in a swamp filled with rusting boats and thousands of black swans to meeting Warren Finch, the first Aboriginal president of Australia. Her subsequent marriage to Warren moves her from one place of desolation to another. Oblivia, despite being made First Lady is confined to a tower in a flooded and lawless southern city, as Warren goes about his campaigning, and she waits for his return.

This is not an easy read but it an intriguing, darkly humorous look at the plight of displaced people who often don’t have a voice.

Merissa Himraj 
3/5