Cooktown

by Andreas Heger

It’s 2011 and in a remote fishing village in far north Queensland, ex special forces soldier Daniel Grey has just returned from a brutal tour of duty in Afghanistan. Unsure of what’s next, he’s sought out his old mentor and school rugby coach. He meets the coach’s beautiful wife Maria, and their daughter Remy – a strange and reclusive girl with unusual gifts.

Dealing with the loss of his former life and his best friend – along with some deeper wounds – Daniel now faces his toughest battle. In doing so, he has the chance to conquer old demons once and for all – and maybe help a new friend find her way in the world.

Cooktown is a confronting and tender novel which unflinchingly examines our need for human closeness via unforgettable characters set adrift from society.

240 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2018

Reviews

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I read it in a sitting. The end in particular just sucks you along. I really liked the characters - especially Remy and Caitlin. I think the military stuff is thought provoking and alarming but for me the book Is more about the desctruction of a toxic masculine identity and the creation of something new and hopeful, although still realistic. I also thought it captured the impact of grief really well. The male sexuality and the way this interacted with that human need for love of and with other people is brilliant.
This one stayed with me for days afterwards.

[Mike Taverner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't think I really 'liked' it but 4 stars suggests what I thought of it. Revealing and troublesome insights into the male condition but more troubling really is the PTSD and how someone like Daniel can not be in treatment or some program provided by the military

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a relatively short novel of a bit over 200 pages that packs quite an impact. It's about 25 year old Daniel, a soldier who served in Afghanistan, who was discharged with a physical injury and is now suffering profound PTSD. He looks up his old football coach in Cooktown (Far North Queensland) and takes to commercial fishing as a way to work through his issues.
He tells his story of friendship, war and death that led to his condition. It's quite disturbing, saddening and frustrating to read. I felt there was an over emphasis on his sexual dysfunction. I understand it was in the context of his PTSD, but at some points, his sexual issues seemed to be overemphasised.
He does however find some peace and focus through the "different" daughter of his coach, even though he remains one messed up young man.
I'm glad I read it and oddly found it quite beautiful among all the violence and sheer awfulness of what he was going through. Still not a cheerful read.

[Gary Ferguson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The image on the front cover of a box jellyfish, as beautiful and beguiling as it is and also deadly, gives some indication of Cooktown by Andreas Heger and the story that unfolds. This is a book of many contrasts. It a book that ticks a number of boxes for me: evocative, confronting and tender. The story of Daniel Grey, a former soldier, moves from his childhood and his relationship with his best mate, Sean, through to the aftermath of their time serving in Afghanistan. It speaks of intimacy, masculinity, the deification of war heroes while others go unrecognised and our attitudes to disability through Remy a 15 year old girl who can kick a ball with a "whack" through the centre posts. As a novel it's compelling as a debut novel it's a triumph! I wanted it to go on forever and despaired as the story approached it's very satisfying conclusion.

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just found this in my local library and surprised it hasn't received more attention. I don't think the title or the cover jellyfish are helpful. Yes, it had a lot of focus on sexual performance as masculine identity, but the main character Dan is a 25-year old injured war vet, so not unexpected. It did a great job of explaining how things can go so wrong to a reader like me who doesn't know much about this demographic or experience, so it is worth persevering with. It was pretty grim, but it did end on what can be interpreted as a mildly positive note. I can see it may appeal to teenage boys who don't read.

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A stunning debut! Cooktown was a little slow to start but once it shifted gear, it was near impossible to put down. Fair warning, this deals with some very raw topics in a very Australian way and that may upset those with delicate sensibilities. There were points where I laughed, I cringed, and there were even tears in some places - this was confirmed when hubby read this and he too got hit with the feels.

I am very much looking forward to seeing what Heger comes up with next.

[Tony North · Rating 2 out of 5]

As good as I have read for a long time.