A young sailor, Kim Nielsen, died from head injuries on board Nella Dan on 20 October 1985. A very sad day for those on board and for his family. R.I.P.
So many kind people have told me their stories and I have held them carefully in my heart. To all who so generously shared, I hope I have done your ship justice.
I wish with all my heart that Nella Dan were still here.
A number of pieces within this novel have been published as short stories elsewhere.
“No Man Is an Island” appeared in Griffith Review, Edition 34.
“Across the Bass Strait” was published in Griffith Review, Edition 39.
“Lebanon” was published in Island, issue 133 (2013), and Best Australian Stories 2013.
Thank you to these journals and the editors for acknowledging my work.
I have used Papa for Dad, instead of the Danish Far. I am aware that Danes do not use Papa, but for reasons I can’t explain here, I had to keep Papa for my characters. I hope this causes no problems for all my Danish friends. Forgive me!
I was given a grant by the Australia Council to help me survive while writing this book. Thank you!
I also won the Antarctic Arts Fellowship, which allowed me to travel to Casey on Aurora Australis—a trip of a lifetime. This book would not exist without that wonderful prize.
Cheers,
FP
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I have had an overwhelming amount of help with this book so there are many people I would like to thank.
Vale Matt Richell—friend, surfer and trusted captain of the Hachette family. I will never forget all you have done for me and your great kindness. I wish that we could have that last beer.
Vanessa Radnidge—amazing friend and publisher extraordinaire, you make everything I write better. Thank you for all of it.
DK—you have put up with me during this obsessive process for many years with grace, a smile and no complaints. Thank you so very much—for the Arctic, for Denmark and for making me coffee. All my love.
Fiona Hazard and the whole Hachette Team. I know I found the right home with you.
Finn (Wolle)—you took a chance and met with a stranger. Thank you for sharing the love for your ship and of sailing the south. I met a good friend that day all those years ago. You and your lovely family took me into your home, fed me incredible food (thank you, Camilla—such a great cook!), and gave me all the beer I could drink. I can’t wait to see you all again.
Bo SP—what can I say? Thank you for all the stories, e-mails, memories, music and generosity of spirit. Truly—I am so grateful. Can’t wait to meet you (again). I owe you many beers! “Comfortably Numb” is for you.
Linda, Amanda, Adam and Apple—the family I found and love.
James, Chiyoko, Haruki and Ikumi—my solid foundations. Thank you for all of the joy and support.
Mum and Steve—for all the chats, memories and great junk-shop finds.
Julia Styles—trusted editor and advisor. Always such a great help.
Elizabeth Cowell—for a great edit.
Melisinka, Ivana and Jikara—for all the manifestation, laughter and guidance.
Janey Runci—friend, writer and mentor. You’ve pushed me more than anyone to write the best that I possibly can. Thank you.
The members of my writing group (past and present)—Helen, Cath, Janey, Liz, Stephen, Sherri, Kim, Ian. Much of this book grew from scraps written at the writing table with you all. Thank you.
Susan Armstrong—my lovely agent, who took me on when there was nothing to gain. Glad to have you on my team.
Mette Jakobsen—thank you so much for all the help with everything Danish—translations, food and Copenhagen travel guide.
Kenn—you took me walking in search of deer (and we succeeded). Thank you for all the research help and memories. Looking forward to seeing you next time (my shout).
Anders—what a great surprise to visit Lilla Dan. A day I won’t forget. Thank you for all of the help over the years. Catch you soon for another nice lunch.
Kim (Kimbo)—It’s Alive! thanks to you. You have been a great help, and cheers for the Nella Dan twenty-five-years patches that I took to Casey.
Niels—you answered so many of my questions about being a cook/steward on Nella and I thank you for your kindness and patience and excellent e-mails.
Lindy Jones, friend and bird lover—you found research books for me, sent me postcards and spurred me on. Thank you.
The whole Orion team—especially Barry Lyon, Adrian Boyle, Alexander Watson, Susan Halliwell—for your knowledge and passion.
Benny Storm—for your kindness and all the years taking care of Nella. Can’t wait to come and see you.
Lex Harris—another great friend made on this journey. Thank you for the advice, all of the wonderful photos, the T-shirt and all your stories.
Henrik—cheers for dinner, lunch and a great catch-up. Looking forward to hiking in Norway. See you next time.
Ivan Hawthorn—I got lucky the day I met you. Thank you for sharing your decades of knowledge with me. It’s been a true honor.
George Wilson—for the footage and stories. I really appreciate you getting in touch.
Tess Egan—for all the great research and library help.
Diana Patterson—for lending me your extensive Antarctic library.
My studio family—Robyn Bunting, Andrew John Delaney, Bin Dixon-Ward, Chris Massey. I will miss you guys.
Kenyan family—Gerald, Mary Vine, Paul, Mary, Joan, Wallace, Hillary, Charles, Julius, Joyce, Ann and Charles—Jambo!
The incredible crew of Aurora Australis—Katrina, Peter, Rose, Bob, Rob, Murray, Alex, Doug, Adam, Nick, Wayne, Bec, Tanya, Ben, Joe (Bosun!), Wendy, Evan, Cassie, Matt, Sean, and Master Murray Doyle. You put up with me and my questions and I had the greatest time. Thank you all.
Fellow expeditioners—the best DVL in the world, Leanne (has the key to the chocolate cupboard), Brad, Zach, David, John (Bunker Door Red-Heads), Shirley, Lyne (friendly neighbor), Robbie, Pete (top champ), Tom, Febes (dancing to the Black Keys), Chris, Zane, Graeme, Kerryn, Gavin, Tim, Sean, Leon, Paul. I loved traveling with you guys. What a trip we had.
Last, but not least:
Elisa Bryant, Todd Griffiths, Marie Isaacson, Krissy Kneen, Mary Bayley, Kate Stevens, Justin Ractliffe, Louise Sherwin-Stark, Anna Egelstaff, Jon Page, Jacinda Pfeffer, Robert John Watkins, Cathy Campbell, David Rittey, Chris Sims, Nicole Maher, Cameron Stops, Coral Ann Rigby, Alice Wood, Jane Mansfield, Daniel Pilkington, Emanuel Hedanek, Eric Woehler, Niels Glaesner, John Gillies, Trish Richers, Alison Brown, Bob Rowland, Chris Somerville, Chris Currie, Edwina Shaw, Catherine Therese, Phillipa Fioretti, Ben and Marta, Lyne Kelly, Scott Dempster, Mads Solver Pedersen, Angela Volknant, Kate Parkin, Esben Munk Sorensen, Sally Webster, Bob Hamilton, John Jorgensen, Friends of Nella Dan (all of you), Greer Hendricks, Kristin Raw and everyone at AAD.
To every single person who talked to me about Nella Dan, told me their stories, gave me photos and quotes—thank you from the bottom of my heart.
SUGGESTED PLAYLIST
PINK FLOYD—“Comfortably Numb”
THE BEATLES—“Hey Jude”
CAT STEVENS—“Father and Son”
JUDAS PRIEST—“Living after Midnight”
GENESIS—“Home by the Sea”
DIRE STRAITS—“Money for Nothing”
FLEETWOOD MAC—“Go Your Own Way”
THE ROLLING STONES—“You Can’t Always Get What You Want”
QUEEN—“We Are the Champions”
NEIL YOUNG—“Heart of Gold”
MARVIN GAYE—“I Heard It Through the Grapevine”
THREE DOG NIGHT—“Joy to the World”
MARK KNOPFLER—“Going Home” (Nella Dan’s song)
FAVEL PARRETT was shortlisted for no fewer than seven major literary prizes in Australia, winning the Newcomer of the Year prize at the Australian Book Industry Awards for her debut novel, Past the Shallows. She lives in Australia with her
partner, David, and her two dogs, Dougal and Bear. Find out more at favelparrett.com.au.
MEET THE AUTHORS, WATCH VIDEOS AND MORE AT
SimonandSchuster.com
authors.simonandschuster.com/Favel-Parrett
Facebook.com/AtriaBooks
@AtriaBooks
Discover the treasures that await at the end of the world . . ..
Read the award-winning debut novel about three brothers growing up with their hardened father, a fisherman on the wild and lonely Tasmanian coast.
Past the Shallows
* * *
ORDER YOUR COPIES TODAY!
ALSO BY FAVEL PARRETT
Past the Shallows
We hope you enjoyed reading this Atria Books eBook.
* * *
Join our mailing list and get updates on new releases, deals, bonus content and other great books from Atria Books and Simon & Schuster.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP
or visit us online to sign up at
eBookNews.SimonandSchuster.com
An Imprint of Simon & Schuster, Inc.
1230 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10020
www.SimonandSchuster.com
This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and events are products of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Copyright © 2014 by Favel Parrett
All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever. For information, address Atria Books Subsidiary Rights Department, 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020.
First Atria Books hardcover edition April 2015
Originally published in Australia and New Zealand in 2014 by Hachette Australia
and colophon are trademarks of Simon & Schuster, Inc.
For information about special discounts for bulk purchases, please contact Simon & Schuster Special Sales at 1-866-506-1949 or [email protected].
The Simon & Schuster Speakers Bureau can bring authors to your live event. For more information or to book an event, contact the Simon & Schuster Speakers Bureau at 1-866-248-3049 or visit our website at www.simonspeakers.com.
Jacket Design by Laywan Kwan
Photograph of Ship © Lex Harris; Photograph of Night Sky © Shutterstock
Author Photograph by Erin King
Interior design by Meryll Rae Preposi
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data has been applied for.
ISBN 978-1-4767-5489-5
ISBN 978-1-4767-5490-1 (ebook)
When the Night Comes Page 16