A devastating tale of murder and survival based on the true story of a 19th century shipwreck in Bass Strait, Preservation is a great read for lovers of historical Australian fiction. The obvious comparison is The North Water by Ian McGuire. Both stories are page turners, take place in extreme (though very different) settings, and have at their core a repulsive and evil character who mesmerises the reader. The historical context, particularly the meeting of indigenous and settler cultures, adds another (often devastating) layer to what is a gripping read.
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