the divine wind

"You could say that this is a story about friendship, and the betrayal of friendship, and friendship lost and regained." (TDW. 'Quest for Paradise')
Although this quotation reveals the core of the story yet it does not meet the great variety of aspects the novel deals with. Whereas its setting is typically Australian most of the themes are basically of universal significance. The geographical and historical setting is Broome (WA) shortly before and during the early years of World War II. At that time the atmosphere in the town is characterized by its pearl fishing industry, its flimsy tin buildings, red dust, mangroves and flying-boats.
The Japanese pearl divers live in Chinatown, a part of the city that suggests a peaceful multicultural society. However, these appearences are deceptive, for even in Broome latent racial discrimination and prejudices against Aborigines and Asians lie in wait just underneath the surface, which the war finally makes rise and which engender vague appreh...