This is a fictionalised account of an apparently true story, of the sinking of a Dutch ship on the way to Australia/New Zealand and the survival of some of the passengers and crew.

It is a short but difficult to read book and I did struggle. It's not necessarily the fault of the book, but it is the harrowing tale of people marooned on isolated islands with few natural resources, little chance of rescue and complicity in the decisions until people realise it's too late. ( )

The Accomplice tells the the story of Judith Bastiaansz, a survivor of the sinking of The Batavia in the 1600's. Judith tells the story from the perspective of time -she's an older woman, waiting for her grandchild to be born, and trying to find some sort of peace. By placing the story after the events of the mutiny, the writer makes the novel about more than shipwreck, and much more than a page-turning tale of adventure. The novel becomes about what people do to survive, and how they carry on after tragedy. It raises contemporary issues: how will the survivors of war and terrorism live with decisions they make? Judith labours under a feeling of guilt, for events which she ultimately realises are not her doing. The book forces the reader to consider their own lives and actions, and the ways in which we are all connected. It's terribly sad, and frightening, but also, in the end, hopeful and optimistic. I couldn't put this book down, and was astonished by some of the beautiful images. This is a brilliant take on the Batavia story. ( )

to be read

The Accomplice tells the the story of Judith Bastiaansz, a survivor of the sinking of The Batavia in the 1600's. Judith tells the story from the perspective of time -she's an older woman, waiting for her grandchild to be born, and trying to find some sort of peace. By placing the story after the events of the mutiny, the writer makes the novel about more than shipwreck, and much more than a page-turning tale of adventure. The novel becomes about what people do to survive, and how they carry on after tragedy. It raises contemporary issues: how will the survivors of war and terrorism live with decisions they make? Judith labours under a feeling of guilt, for events which she ultimately realises are not her doing. The book forces the reader to consider their own lives and actions, and the ways in which we are all connected. It's terribly sad, and frightening, but also, in the end, hopeful and optimistic. I couldn't put this book down, and was astonished by some of the beautiful images. This is a brilliant take on the Batavia story. ( )