Ziggurat

by Ivan Southall

Knut Mannerheim Canute, aged seventeen, disappears from his home after midnight on July 4, leaving no evidence that he went by compulsion or of his own accord. He awakens to another mode of existence, another face of time, another world he is left to explore. What is this world of Knut Canute? The blissful world of dreams fulfilled? Or a fractured universe of hope and despair?

270 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 1997

About the author

Ivan Southall was an award-winning Australian writer of young-adult fiction and non-fiction. He was the first and still the only Australian to win the Carnegie Medal for children's literature. His books include Hills End, Ash Road, Josh, and Let the Balloon Go. Also notable is Fly West, a book of true stories based on his experiences flying in Short Sunderland flying boats during the Second World War.

Winner of the Dromkeen Medal (2003).

Reviews

[Alexander]

I first started reading Ziggurat when I was about 16 years old. I never finished it. This is not altogether surprising because, picking it up again all these years later, it still takes considerable imagination and concentration to read.

Superficially, Ziggurat tells the story of what happens to Knut Canute after he disappears from his bedroom during the early morning in winter. Knut finds himself alone in an unknown and almost unknowable place and time. He then sets on two simultaneous journeys- one, physical, as he explores the world around him; and another, psychological, as he reflects on his past, family and who he was before, and how these experiences and attributes appear designed to help him navigate the world where he finds himself.

The strength of this novel is not so much the plot, but the topics about which it provokes readers to think. Told mostly from Knut's perspective via his internal monologue, the pace is at times plodding. While reading it, one would be forgiven to consider the book an exercise in navel-gazing, albeit beautifully written navel-gazing. However, on finishing- and taking the time to think over what one has read- various themes become starkly apparent. Growing into adulthood, developing independence through one's own abilities and from one's parents, learning how to overcome adversity. It's actually an excellent exploration of the internal battles of growing up.

Despite this, and despite (I think) being a more patient and measured reader, I still found this a bit of a struggle to get through. Ziggurat is not for everyone, but some will love it.