Ambelin Kwaymullina, The Foretelling of Georgie Spider (The Tribe #3), Walker Books, 1 August 2015, 448pp., $19.95 (pbk), ISBN 9781921720109
The Tribe is Ambelin Kwaymullina’s first foray into YA writing. And what a success it is. This is dystopian fiction for Australian teenagers, with references they will understand and accept. It might even force them to challenge their ideas about indigenous culture, the environmental debate, and the role young people can play in changing the world for the better. Kwaymullina clearly sees young people as a strong and positive force in the way society develops.
Her main protagonist over the three books, Ashala Wolf is a charismatic leader, who barely understands her own influence. Her best friend Ember has been there for Ash through the first two books, and now it’s Georgie’s turn to step up, and play her part in the unfolding revolution. Their roles are described simply – Ash concentrates on the present, Ember looks back to make sure they don’t repeat the mistakes from the past, and Georgie is the seer – she reaches out to the future and keeps everyone safe. And alive. As best she can.
Georgie narrates half of this final book. Ash is the other voice. It’s fast-paced, and tense, mostly because the two villains, Neville Rose and Terrance, continue to plot against the Tribe. Ash and her followers want to be accepted even with their special abilities. Up till now, they have been treated like second class citizens, and have been forced to flee or live in captivity. Kwaymullina’s world building is complex, yet never confusing. The parallels to our own situation are obvious, and yet still distanced enough that young readers can make their own judgements.
I love the way that, even though the three girls are in constant danger, the boys who love them let them know, and even just for a little while, there are moments of love and companionship. Even in our darkest days, there should always be time for happy moments, not matter how fleeting. There are small moments of humour, mostly related to the Saurs, and of course, there are powerful displays of self-sacrifice, so that others may live and save the world. Not everyone comes out unscathed, but the over-arching final feelings are of hope.
You won’t want to miss out on this most satisfying resolution.
Reviewed by Trisha Buckley
