The Cave
By Victor Kelleher
Reviewed by Mia Macrossan
Victor Kelleher is a standout in the history of Australian children’s literature. Born in London in 1939, he moved to South Africa with his parents and then settled in Australia as an adult. He has published over 30 novels, many of them prizewinners. Personal favourites include Papio, Taronga, The Red King, Del-Del and To The Dark Tower. Many of his novels are fantasies, often dystopias, and many reflect a deep love of the natural world and concern for and knowledge of animals.
His latest work The Cave is set in the distant past at a time when humans are just starting to learn to create and control fire and are developing their use and knowledge of stone tools. Teenager Irian manages to escape when a Beast attacks his people in their cave. He teams up with another young survivor, Ulana who is struggling with a severe injury. Things improve when they meet Trug, a nomadic old trader who takes them under her wing. Their travels give them new knowledge, improved skills and a deeper understanding of themselves and their world which is dominated at all times by the weather, the terrain and possible predators, all of which threaten their survival.
Victor is adept at describing Irian’s world, such a contrast to our own, with telling detail. The Beast is never fully described, but it could be a Homotherium, a sabre toothed cat. Other animals mentioned include bear, hyenas, wolves, pards (leapard?) and lynxes. Irian has been traumatised by his encounter and has retreated into himself, he is mute. Ulana, is less introspective and does the bulk of the hunting, although both do their fair share of gathering firewood and food. It is only when Irian learns that he can make a bow that may possibly be able to kill the Beast that he starts to confront his own inner turmoil.
This story deftly intertwines these two struggles – the attempt to oust the Beast and regain their Cave and Irian’s inner struggle, both of which Victor writes about with understanding and compassion. He gives a portrait of someone who is not a warrior but a toolmaker, a craftsman learning his craft. This vividly imagined past world is an immersive read with Irian a compelling character. Young readers will find it almost impossible not to delve deeper into the fascinating world of life in the stone age. I am surprised that there are no added teaching resources but any library will point you in the right direction.
Teaching Resources
Eagle Books 2024
Note: I am a judge for the 2024 Book Links Historical Fiction Award for Children. This review is my personal opinion and does not reflect the opinion of any judging panel, the judging coordinators, or the Book Links team.
