AustLit

'The author stretches forward the raw elements of Australian civilisation: territory, climate and resources, to 250 years in the future, relating them to its populous neighbour Bhakaria. The political situation is tense as the Messianic Aboriginal Prime Minister strives to renew a moribund political party from within. His ban on immigration is opposed by his lover in a tempestuous romance. His ban is also opposed by his political adversary, who gains government, outlaws his party and plans for free immigration. He leads a growing rebel following in an epic struggle to achieve a new lifestyle, with a dramatic climax.

The scene is set in Meannjin, an almost deserted and flooded city. Most of the population has dispersed to self-sufficient rural communes after a century of wars over coal and famine. They are governed by a tiny national government, headed by an Aboriginal dynasty. Abajoe has a rare genetic mutation for sharing and his vision is to unite the devolved and diversified nation by usurping politics and religion by science. He predicts Australia's relationship with Bhakaria by experimenting with a genetically modified animal, the rossit.' Source: Avid Reader e-news 20 July 2011 (Sighted 21/07/2011)