Traveller

Yet another one man and his trusted dog story; this time based on facts from the 1850's pioneering days in New Zealand. The historical detail rather than the characters (including the dog) dominate the book and for some older readers could prove its most interesting dimension. The main protagonist, clergyman's youngest son Tom Farrell, is drawn with slowly emerging courage and strength of character but I doubt whether many young readers would find anything in him with which to make an immediate and easy identification. Even the dogs and their deeds aren't all that engaging. The most memorable character is the baddie, an escaped murderer, who stands out because he behaves so extraordinarily, unlike everyone else.