by Jon Cleary
First published 1980
The story unfolds in the remote highlands of Papua New Guinea, where Western characters find themselves cut off from civilization. Cleary places his protagonist against the harsh realities of jungle survival, where modern conveniences vanish and primal instincts take over. The dense tropical environment becomes both sanctuary and prison as characters struggle with limited resources and mounting tensions. Cultural barriers emerge between locals and outsiders, adding complexity to an already desperate situation. The protagonist must navigate not only the physical challenges of the wilderness but also the psychological strain of isolation. Personal conflicts intensify under pressure as the group faces difficult choices about survival and sacrifice. Cleary examines how crisis strips away social conventions and reveals true character beneath civilized facades.
Genres: fiction, survival, adventure, contemporary
Vibes: atmospheric, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, survival
Setting: Papua New Guinea
Period: 20th-century
383 pages · Hardcover · Remploy