In this remarkable debut, written as part of an MA in creative writing at Victoria University, Clare Moleta thrusts her readers into a claustrophobic, dystopian future. The setting, she says in a brief note "
Clare Moleta. Photo / Supplied
Moleta never explains why her novel's world is in the dire state it is - buffeted by wars, food shortages and horrific weather events - but it's clear that mismanagement of the climate by the powers that be has played a major part.
Significantly, we never meet anyone from the power elites - Moleta focusing on everyday people Li meets along the way. Some are kind - sharing what little they have; whereas others take advantage - one woman breaks her ankle and steals her patching tools; one driver who picks her up on the road demands sex as payment.
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Late in the novel, the best thing one character can say about Li is that he's glad she hasn't "gotten herself killed yet" - and while Li has elements of heroism about her there's a coldness to her some readers may find off-putting.
The world of Unsheltered consists of a society divided into two classes - the sheltered and the unsheltered. The sheltered appear to live a little less harrowing life inside the walls of protected compounds, while outside it's fend-for-yourself anarchy, standing in queues for food, fighting for any small luxuries, knowing your child - and there is a "one child only" policy in effect - will go to war when they turn 15.
Some talk of "deeper islands" where water flows "out of the rocks and children didn't go to war" but the day-to-day world as an "unsheltered" is a Darwinian dog-eat-dog survival game.
There's a sense that things have been this way for years and no one expects it to get better.
Li sees hope as a poison. Slowly Moleta fills in the back story of our inscrutable protagonist; a woman who never wanted to be a mother and who feels she's been a failure in the role.
There's an unusual relationship with Matti's father (who, in a role reversal, was immediately bonded to his daughter) all told in fragmented flashbacks.
There's also the legacy of a decision her mother made that ensured her brother becomes the one who is sheltered and she left to wander.
It's a grim but skilfully built world Moleta presents, one where all the trimmings of a civil society have been stripped away.
The result is a demanding novel that could well attain a cult-like fanbase and marks Moleta out as one of our most intriguing new literary talents.
Reviewed by Greg Fleming
Unsheltered, by Clare Moleta (Scribner, $35) is out on May 5.