The Salty River

‘Some stories are made up, which means a person invented them, others are true which means life invented them.’ And so ends the bittersweet adventure of our author’s solo adventure – 450 kilometres across the Larapinta trail.

This gorgeous graphic novel is about finding love in the most remote of places, in the most unexpected of ways. Jan Bauer’s monochromatic ink drawings beautifully render the immensity and isolation of the location, and add an element of the philosophical to this charming love story: ‘…in the stony ground the memory of what fell from the heavens lives on. The heart does not forget.’

The narrative focuses on the main character, also called Jan, who sets off on a journey to central Australia after a painful separation in Germany. Jan is out to conquer the demons of his past, to slay his dragons, but his solo journey is interrupted when he meets a French backpacker, Morgane. As they cross the desert together exploring its waterholes, caves and ever-changing terrain, they are brought closer, learning about each other as much in their silences as they do in their brief exchanges.

Jan soon discovers his pilgrimage into solitude is actually about realising he is lonely. He craves affection from his traveling companion in some awkward moments. ‘Do you mind if I snuggle up to you?’ he asks. ‘If it helps you get to sleep,’ she replies. Ouch.

Anyone who has ever backpacked alone anywhere in the world will be familiar with the moving finale.

This was my first foray into a graphic novel. The Salty River can be read quickly, but time is well spent enjoying the artwork. The landscape is captured with much care and is far more successful than those of the characters – which are a little simplistic and stiff. Some of their facial expressions and reactions, however, take the place perfectly of words.

This would have been a spectacular publication in colour; something I hope Bauer and the publisher explore in his next venture. 

Rating: 3 stars out of 5