Ransom is a novel by David Malouf that tells the story of a young man named Gemmy who is kidnapped by Aborigines in Australia. The novel explores themes of love, loss, and redemption, and it has been praised for its lyrical prose and its sensitive portrayal of Aboriginal culture.
The novel begins with Gemmy being shipwrecked on an island off the coast of Australia. He is found by a group of Aborigines, who take him in and raise him as one of their own. Gemmy learns their language and their customs, and he comes to love them as his own people.
However, Gemmy's life with the Aborigines is not without its challenges. He is often lonely and homesick, and he struggles to understand their culture. He also has to deal with the racism of the white settlers, who see him as an outsider.
One day, Gemmy is kidnapped by a group of white settlers. They take him to Sydney, where he is placed in an orphanage. Gemmy is miserable in the orphanage, and he longs to return to the Aborigines.
Eventually, Gemmy escapes from the orphanage and returns to the island. He is reunited with the Aborigines, and he finally finds peace.
Conclusion:
Ransom is a powerful and moving novel that explores the themes of love, loss, and redemption. It is a story of how one man can find a new home and a new family even in the midst of great adversity.
Keywords:
- ransom by david malouf
- australian novel
- aborigines
- love
- loss
- redemption
- cultural identity
- racism
- homesickness
- loneliness
- exile
- hope
- forgiveness