Local author shares insight into Papau New Guinean life

A local author has recently published a children’s book aimed at providing a look into the life and culture of Papau New Guinea.

Horsfield’s Bay’s Peter Comerford said ‘A Survival Story of Michael and Natlik’ is an adventure survival story set in the island country.

The book, which is aimed at 11 to 14 year olds, is Comerford’s first children’s book after previously self-publishing a book with anecdotes and short stories of his time in Papau New Guinea.

Comerford said his new novel follows this.

“A small part of the adventure is based on a personal real-life experience, but the story as a whole is influenced by my experiences as a teacher and headmaster in Papua New Guinea where my wife and I spent 15 years,” Comerford said.

“Four of our children, including undiagnosed twins, were born in Popondetta and we have made several trips back, the most recent being to Bougainville and New Ireland.

“This is my first children’s story and was written with Papau New Guinea schools in mind – I don’t know of any stories where a Papua New Guinean is a hero.”

The story, which is set in the New Ireland Province of Papua New Guinea, is centred around Michael, an 11-year-old boy, who flies to Papua New Guinea to stay with his uncle on his copra plantation.

Michael is befriended by his uncle’s house servant Natlik who teaches him how to recognise poisonous plants, and stinging corals, how to spear fish and light a fire without matches.

Michael absorbs what he is taught like a sponge much to Natlik’s approval.

Michael’s uncle decides to take him on a boating fishing trip before his holiday comes to an end and tells Natlik the day they will return.

The trip is exciting but turns into a nightmare and Michael is left floundering in shark infested waters.

When Michael and his uncle fail to return Natlik goes in search of them with hopes of bringing them back safely.

“The book seems have appeal for both young people and their parents, so I hopefully have done something right to get that response,” Comerford said.

“Most Australians know very little about our nearest and valuable neighbour and ex Territory.

“I hope this story creates an awareness of the pace of life, culture and a stunning and beautiful world that also comes with some dangers.

Some of the story has been described as ‘Raw and challenging … as Michael is challenged by the hard edge of the world of adults but with no adults to show him the way,’ (James B. Amazon reviews).

Comerford said he has now started to write a sequel.

Maisy Rae