The Tasmanian Devil

Book excerpt: This collection of short linked fiction develops themes such as race, memory, betrayal, and solitude, explored through the lens of how the young protagonist Rika Noordzij navigates her troubled environment. Somewhat hybrid in terms of genre, these pieces work as self-contained narratives, while also forming a fragmented whole (novella), through the strong thematic, metaphoric and stylistic links, as well as the unifying force of the main protagonist Rika Noordzij. The central challenge of this project has been to hone a narrative technique which aligns the reader closely with the child protagonist. Rika's observations are a primary tool, especially those of the adult interactions around her; though she may not fully comprehend this larger world, her perceptions of its mysterious violence establishes layers of meaning and suggestion. Throughout the collection, my primary interest has been in the use of language and imagery to establish the perspective of Rika Noordzij.