The Night Ship set in Batavia – Jess Kidd

Submitted: 26th August 2022

The Night Ship to Batavia

Based on a real-life event, an epic historical novel from the award-winning author of Things in Jars that illuminates the lives of two characters: a girl shipwrecked on an island off Western Australia and, three hundred years later, a boy finding a home with his grandfather on the very same island.

BookTrail Travel to the locations in The Night Ship

Boarding Pass Information: The Night Ship

Destination : Batavia

Author guide: Jess Kidd

Genre: historical

Food and drink to accompany: Something to keep the sea sickness at bay

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Destination – Batavia, Spice Islands

In 1628 The Batavia sailed from The Netherlands on its maiden voyage to the Dutch East Indies. Seven months later, it was almost there when it foundered on coral reefs. It was just off the coast of Western Australia and what followed was a violent and dangerous mutiny.

Would Jess Kidd be able to infuse her unique brand of magical realism when writing about a real life event? Why, of course. On this ship she places an orphan child and the story weaves it magic from there….

The story of the Batavia is not one I was familiar with. It was a ship that sailed from the Netherlands bound for the Spice Islands in the Dutch East Indies. The stories that unfold on this ship were fascinating. I could smell the spices and the sweat of those on board. Men, women and children were travelling onboard heading to join their families and this is where we meet nine year old Mayken whose mother has recently died. She is travelling with her nurse to join her father.

Then we jump to 1989 where we meet Gil who is also nine and has also lost his mum.

He lives off the coast of Western Australia with his fisherman Grandfather. His story is particularly sad and be prepared to weep!As well as the historical intrigue in this story, it’s the magical realism and nods to folklore which really impressed me. Mayken’s Bullebak and Gil’s Bunyip were a joy to discover.

Jess Kidd writes an impressive story impressively. Weaving her own magic into a real life tale, I enjoyed being on that ship with her and her characters.