English Passengers.

ENGLISH PASSENGER. Matthew Kneale. 2000/ 2001. Various narrators. 15 tapes. 20.5 hrs. Clipper Audio, dist, by Recorded Books. 1-84197-258-4. $126.00. Vinyl; plot notes. SA

British author Kneale makes his impressive American debut with this carefully researched and delightfully written novel that brings the history of British colonialism and its impact on Tasmanian history vividly to life. In carefully intertwined narratives Kneale delights us with plot twists and comic characterizations while showing us the self-delusions, greed, cruelty and stupidity through which the British justified their expansion and the accompanying extermination of the local population. Under his direction, religious fundamentalists and Social Darwinists are made to rub shoulders with aboriginal half-castes, imperial officials, rogue sailors, petty thieves, vicious convicts and even the occasional innocent in the everchanging world of the first half of the 19th century.

Kneale's decision to structure his book around multiple narrators works wonderfully to keep the story moving forward while emphasizing the implicit and bitter ironies. On the seventh tape, experienced and talented actors add to the listener's pleasure. This is not nuanced history or a complex discussion of value systems in confrontation. This is historical fiction written in black and white and with a sense of humor. I cannot think of a better introduction to a little-known period.

Bernard D. Cooperman, Assoc. Prof., Univ. of MD, College Park, MD