A Long Way From Home Book by Peter Carey

Introduction

The book a long way from home by Peter Carrey, published in 2013, is a work that takes on the focus of race and the issue of acceptance in the wake of the World War two skirmishes. The novel a long way from home is set in Australia in the 1950s during the era of racism and at a time when the Redex trials were prominent car races in Australia. The book is based on looking into an aspect of Australian history that was ignored for decades which primarily concerns the issue of discrimination, gender roles and a feminist stance. The use of the female perspective allows for the book to focus on a stance that is not often heard in the 50s.

Summary

The main aspects of the storyline are centered around the Redux trials, which are surprisingly appreciative of female participants. Therefore, the nation is rather taken with the team as Irene is the driver, her husband, Titch and her co-driver, Bachhuber, is their navigator. The book takes in the rich scenery and the aspects of the nature of the Australian spirit with regard to the Redux trials. The story takes on the imagery of the high-speed racing challenge of crossing the nation and encountering various adventures, all of which are synonymous with the expected Australian landscape of the time (Carey, 2013). The text makes heroes out of the drivers and focuses on the tension based on the romantic relationship that develops between Bachhuber and Irene as her husband is suddenly taken with his new freedom upon his father’s death.

The main aspects of the storyline are centered around the Redux trials, which are surprisingly appreciative of female participants. The nation is rather taken with the team as Irene is the driver, her husband, Titch and her co-driver with Bachhuber as their navigator. The book takes in the rich scenery and the aspects of the nature of the Australian spirit with regard to the Redux trials. The story takes on the imagery of the high-speed racing challenge of crossing the nation and encountering various adventures, all of which are synonymous with the expected Australian landscape of the time (Carey, 2013). The book also focuses on the tension based on the romantic relationship that develops between Bachhuber and Irene as her husband is suddenly taken with his new freedom upon his father’s death.

Discrimination as a central theme

The other aspect of the narrative is the challenge of discrimination, whereby these examples are highlighted.

• Encounter a black man who can repair their vehicle when it sustains some damage (Carey, 2013). He describes the method of warming up the battery effectively.
• The aspect of discrimination is also central to the issue of the baby skull found and kept by Irene as a memento of the haunting history of the experiences of the indigenous Australians.
• The dismissal and hate around Bachhuber, who failed to change his name to avoid the hate around Germans following the world war, dismissal of the acceptable action allowed for the understanding of how racial stereotypes drive discrimination
• Irene’s heritage as a native Australian allows for her to hide her true origins and pass for a white woman allowing her to participate in society.

Conclusion

The theme of family where Dan, Irene and Titch are central to the evaluation of family values and relations the theme is seen in Irene’s support of Titch and her hate for Dan.

The aspect of feminism is seen in Irene’s role in the book as she supports her husband and fulfills her passion for understanding that a woman could participate in male-dominated industries and the issue of her ability to drive her fate.

The theme of race is seen as Willie’s fair hair and Irene’s feature, as well as the black man, is described as such, allowing for an understanding of the racial issues in this society.

The theme of marriage and love is seen in how Irene relates to Titch and her fondness for Willie, who develops affection.

References

Carey, Peter. A Long Way From Home. Penguin EBooks, 2013.