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On the Java Ridge
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On the Java Ridge is a 2017 novel by Australian writer Jock Serong.[1]
Key Information
Synopsis
[edit]The novel is set in the days leading up to a fictional 2018 Federal election, and its narrative moves from the point of view of a cabinet minister in Canberra to two phinisi: one, the Java Ridge of the book's title, fitted for luxury surf tourism, the other an Indonesian fishing boat carrying asylum seekers.
Critical reception
[edit]Writing in The Sydney Morning Herald Adrian McKinty noted: "At times On the Java Ridge courts the didacticism of late period John le Carre when really Serong needs to channel someone such as Clive Cussler or Iain Banks to move the plot along. But this is only a minor quibble – how it all gets resolved in the third act is nicely done and I enjoyed jumping between the very different points of view that Serong uses to tell his taut and impressive third novel."[2]
In The Australian Book Review Miriam Cosic found Serong's writing to be "compelling, despite some quirks". She continued: "But as we know from real life, this generation of conservative Australian politicians, who uncharacteristically wear their religion on their sleeves, haven't given Serong much in the way of political or moral argument to work with."[3]
Awards
[edit]- 2018 Staunch Book Prize, winner[4]
- 2018 Colin Roderick Award, winner[5]
- 2018 Indie Book Awards Book of the Year – Fiction, shortlisted [6]
References
[edit]- ^ "On the Java Ridge by Jock Serong". National Library of Australia. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
- ^ Adrian McKinty (4 September 2017). "On the Java Ridge review: Jock Serong plunges into politics and refugee policy". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
- ^ Miriam Cosic (August 2017). "On the Java Ridge by Jock Serong". Australian Book Review. No. 393. Retrieved 18 April 2025.
- ^ "2018 – Staunch Book Prize". Retrieved 8 May 2025.
- ^ "'On the Java Ridge' wins 2018 Colin Roderick Award | Books+Publishing". Retrieved 8 May 2025.
- ^ ""Indie Book Awards 2018 shortlists announced"". Australian Independent Booksellers. 14 January 2018. Retrieved 8 May 2025.