Journal Entry 1 by cats-eye from Bishop Auckland, County Durham United Kingdom on Monday, June 26, 2006

curious blend of sci-fi fantasy & historical fiction.

Synopsis (from B&N):

Tom Gilling's wickedly funny and very original first novel is set in the early 19th century on gloomy Van Diemen's Land (now called Tasmania), an island off the coast of Sydney, Australia, a coastal colony populated primarily by convicts, debtors and other assorted dregs of society. Into this homeland a young woman named Sarah Dyer gives birth to "a thing the size of a weasel, wet and slippery and covered in fur…[with] flippers and a black snout." Some call this miracle of creation christened Arthur, a "sooterkin," a mythical creature born to women in Holland in centuries past. But Arthur most resembles a seal pup, happiest "floating on [his] back and splashing among the kelp." Sarah's nasty drunkard of a husband, William, keeps his distance from his "son," but Arthur's older brother, Ned, sadly in need of companionship, lovingly protects and plays with his new "little brother."

As news of the creature travels throughout the island, skeptics descend upon the Dyers to view the curiosity, and the enterprising family decides to cash in by charging for a peek. All the townsfolk, including Mr. Kidney, the town minister, Mr. Scully, a physiognomist, and Mrs. Jakes, the local midwife (and sometime abortionist), each form their own ideas about Arthur, and about "whether science will unravel the mystery, or faith." But when Arthur is kidnapped by a stranger with plans of his own, young Ned sets out to find his brother on a mission of love and innocence.

Vividly descriptive, with witty dialogue and colorful characters, The Sooterkin (already a bestseller Down Under) is an extraordinarily unique tale, both touching and funny.
 

Journal Entry 2 by morsecode from Buffalo, New York USA on Tuesday, January 09, 2007

This book arrived safe and sound in Buffalo, NY today.
Thanks, cats-eye. 

Journal Entry 3 by morsecode at University at Buffalo South Campus in Buffalo, New York USA on Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Released 1 yr ago (3/30/2011 UTC) at University at Buffalo South Campus in Buffalo, New York USA

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

This book is going in a bag that I'll be giving a coworker who is collecting books for a book drive.