Ned Kelly is probably the most likely story hero from Australia's history - charismatic, controversial and tragic.  But the task for any writer is to make yet another retelling of his story alive and challenging.

Brian Ridden's new story, Whistle Man, achieves this by highlighting the choices that shape a person's life.  Ned is shown through the eyes of a young sympathizer, Garrett Clancy, who meets him in 1874.

"I was fifteen then and finished with school - wishing I could grow taller and heavier overnight and sprout an instant beard.  Ned was four years older and already the tough bushman I wanted to be."

Garrett, an orphan raised by an old family friend, worships the gallant and carefree Ned.  Ned, in return, helps find him work and his own horse.  But he also tries to steer Garrett clear of the local land politics that would soon create the famous bushranging story.

Whistle Man is really Garrett's story.  The two extremes of the Kelly legend - the local Robin Hood and the lawless bushranger - are the choices that also face Garrett over the years as he grows to maturity.  Should he work dutifully to build his own farm and life, or should he follow the emotions of Ned's crusade?

The excitement and hopes, the violence and grief, the loss and betrayal that marked Ned's life are all there as we see, over and over again, choices made that lead to the inevitable tragedy.  Ridden shows Ned as both hero and villain, perhaps too influenced by others - the sly Joe Byrne, the brutal landlords, the callous police.  Garrett's helplessness, as he watches Ned's story unfold, highlights Ridden's theme about choices. We all must make our own and respect those made by others.

Whistle Man is an excellent addition to the many stories about Ned Kelly.  It presents Ned as a believable person, but also carries a great message about hero worship and choosing our own destinies.

Review by David Beagley

© 2001 David Beagley