Review: The Lost Cave of Corinna by Greta Kerschbaum – An Adventure Fantasy Tale Helping to Save the Devils

I first read this amazing novel late last year and absolutely enjoyed it, and I recently re-read it and loved it just as much, so I thought I would share my review here with you. Below is an extract of my  review that I published on Amazon.

A percentage of the profits from this book is being donated by the author to the Save The Tasmanian Devil Appeal.

Synopsis

Twelve year old Tom is spending his summer holiday in what he thinks is a boring seaside town. But an accident leads to his transformation and a journey of survival in the dangerous and sometimes magical world of the Tasmanian bush. If Tom wants to return home, he must follow the call that will lead him to the mythical Lost Cave. But Tom is now on the menu for anything with fangs and claws, and that’s how he meets Dibley, a hungry Tasmanian Devil. Will Dibley overcome his natural instinct to eat Tom and join him on his journey to find the Lost Cave?

My Review

Tom travels to Tasmania for a holiday with his aunt and uncle. When Tom goes fishing with his uncle, he is told an old tale about the mad gene in his family, and how a great uncle claimed to be able to talk to animals. Tom then starts to hear a haunting call that draws him in, and after he has a serious accident, he finds he can talk to the animals himself because he has been transformed (how and into what I will not say!). Tom then meets the all-knowing and cryptic Nini who explains to him he needs to find the Lost Cave where he will find the creature that is calling to him and who might be able to help him go back to the way he was. And so Tom begins his long and dangerous journey through the Australian bush. Along the way, Tom meets a number of native animals, including a grumpy old Tasmanian devil called Dibley, who is suffering from the very real fatal cancerous disease. Tom’s experiences with each one of these animals on his journey to the Lost Cave clearly shows the damaging effect humans have on them and their environment. Tom also meets some not so native animals and his frightening encounters with them also shows what effect these animals have on Australia’s habitat and wildlife.

The Lost Cave Of Corinna is beautifully written and Ms Kerschbaum’s writing is descriptive and polished. The storyline is very intriguing and the different plot twists along the way keep you interested all the way through. The story is very captivating and I was so engrossed in this book that I was very reluctant to put it down.

I loved the descriptions of the surrounding bush landscape in the story. Ms Kerschbaum writes about the sights, sounds and smells of the bush, and it brought back many memories for me about my times in Tasmania. I also loved the portrayals of the different animals in the story. Ms Kerschbaum has described each animal’s personality even better than I imagined them to be, and their behaviour is epitomised beautifully. Every animal was aptly depicted not just in what they looked like, but how they behaved, how they smelled, what they felt like. After reading this book, you will find yourself looking at these animals with a new perspective. Admittedly, I do have a soft spot for the character of Dibley, the Tasmanian devil, but I also loved the other animals Tom met, including one very entertaining wombat.

As well as being a children’s fantasy adventure story, The Lost Cave Of Corinna addresses a number of underlying issues that are important for everyone to know about, no matter where you live. The story is a perfect way for kids to understand these issues and they are dealt with in a subtle manner so that they are important angles of the development of the story. Beneath the storyline, you will discover issues such as how feral animals and domestic animals have an effect on Australia’s wildlife; how the use of chemical poison affects the habitat and the animals that reside there; what happens to the animals and the environment when land is developed for human use; and how far reaching the effects of pollution can be. You will also find within this book elements of trust, friendship, betrayal, forgiveness, survival, justice, sacrifice, loss, healing, and having to face your fears. But most of all, we learn from this book that change is possible and there is always hope.

This is one of the best books I have ever read. It will make you laugh, it will make you cry, it will make you anxious, it will keep you in suspense, it will keep you enthralled with its magic and mystery. The Lost Cave Of Corinna will stay with you long after you have finished reading it. It will definitely appeal to everyone – young and old. It even includes a few beautiful black and white illustrations of native animals. If you relish reading stories that are full of adventure, fantasy, mystery, myth and magic, you will enjoy this book. If you love animals and the environment, you will revel in this book. If you savour all things Tasmanian (or even Australian), you will love this book.

So get yourself a copy of The Lost Cave of Corinna and join Tom on his fascinating journey to the Lost Cave and see the world in a new light.

 

Buy this book on Amazon.com – paperback version only for $7.99AUD. The book is also available at many bookstores in Hobart and from some online stores.

A percentage of the profits from this book is being donated by the author to the Save The Tasmanian Devil Appeal.