Local author Donna M. Cameron has a new book out – The Rewilding – which is described as an exhilarating and unforgettable love song for our world.
It is an electrifying cat-and-mouse-chase and an odd couple love story that captures the essence of what it means to be alive today in this cusp of change pulsing with possibilities, but most interestingly, the first part of the book is set here in a national park on the Central Coast.
The protagonist, Sydney businessman Jagger Eckerman, blows the whistle on his dad’s illegal business activities, and in fear of arrest (and his dad), he flees to hide out in a hidden cave on the Central Coast.
A cave he found as a boy when he was here on his precious annual Summer holidays with his mum.
Unbeknown to Jagger however, there is someone already hiding out in the cave – radicalised eco-warrior Nia Moretti.
It is hatred at first sight, so of course they end up trapped together and on the run.
All sorts of life/death adventures take place as Nia pulls Jagger further into her illegal and dangerous protesting activities.
Cameron said the book was inspired by her need to find hope in the face of anthropogenic climate change, not only for herself, but for the young people in her life.
“I work part time as a teacher, so I’m exposed to a lot of young people, and I began to be alarmed by the amount of ‘doomerism’ amongst them … the feeling that they’re going to die young because the world has gone to hell in a handbasket and there is nothing they can do,” she said.
“As a storyteller, I felt a responsibility to change the dominant narrative, so I started to read everything hopeful I could on climate change, and I found so much to be hopeful for.
“Ultimately, I discovered that hope comes through action.”
If you would like to hear more about
The Rewilding go along to Bookface Erina on Friday, March 1 at 6pm to meet Cameron’s special guest Eva Angophora.
She runs Wild Beings and is involved in The Rewilding movement in Australia as also as an expert in survival skills and makes her own clothes out of hide.
This is a free event in which light refreshments will be served. Book through the Bookface Events page
Book Launch for ‘The Rewilding’ by Donna M Cameron — BOOKFACE (bookfacestores.com.au)