‘Wild Dark Shore’ by Charlotte McConaghy

“Is he your boyfriend?”

“We weren't together.”

“Oh sorry. I got the wrong idea.”

He shakes his head, frustrated. “It's just we never talked about that. It seemed too ... small.”

‘Wild Dark Shore’ by Charlotte McConaghy is set on the fictional Shearwater Island, located somewhere between Tasmania and Antarctica, in 2025, right after the publication of the book. And although it is set in the present, the story focuses on the future—a future that seems insecure due to climate change. The story is told from several perspectives: Rowan, Dominic, Raff, Fen, Orly, and, at one point, Alex.

The Salt Family moved to this island eight years ago to support the research base. After his wife Claire died, Dominic was overwhelmed and brought his three children here: Raff, Fen, and Orly. The family is lonely but loves their home. However, they will have to leave soon because the island is sinking.

Then, one day, Fen spots an injured, half-drowned woman in the waves. Rowan is unconscious. And they aren’t sure why she came to this place—because she must have been traveling to Shearwater Island.

This book is about family and love, but also about climate change and what will happen to the world in the near(er) future. While it is, by now, set in the recent past, it looks at future possibilities for humans, animals, and plants.

This book is not about queerness in the sense of addressing issues specific to the queer community, such as coming out. Instead, it features a queer main character who simply lives life without focusing particularly on sexuality.

CW: loss & grief, emotional neglect, suicide, mental health struggles, grooming, violence