title: Poetry Adventure and Love
author: Elgar, Ed
description: Cassie was a high school art teacher in San Francisco. At thirty one, she accepts a job managing an art centre in an aboriginal community in the wild and remote north of Australia. She arrives at this exotic location, physically and mentally weary, yet somehow spiritually renewed. She tries to convince herself that she's over the break-up of her 10 year relationship with James and is immediately wary of her connection with 2 seemingly eligible, strong and possibly dangerous men, Mario and Ben. We learn that perhaps Cassie has never cried, yet no sooner than she arrives and crashes her boat, her tears come.
   Her character begins with this complex paradox for the reader: She must be pretty tough; she just sailed across the Pacific single handed. On the other hand, she seems to go to pieces after she crashes her boat.This underlying enigma and character complexity carries forward and we can't help but wonder how Cassie will cope with some of the difficult and dangerous situations she finds herself encountering. Her first major test happens when Dumatja, the Yolngu elder linked to the art centre, physically threatens Cassie and the reader must fear for her ability to survive.
  This story is set in a place you could never imagine exists today. There are crocodiles, buffalo and other things that will kill you and the Yolngu natives still practice their ancient ceremony and dance while struggling within the fringes of the 21st century. You will be captivated by the colour, the smells, the strange personification of evil. You may even shed a tear as you journey with this strong, independent woman, laugh with her witty repartee and be warmed as her love story unfolds.