Paris Savages
The story follows the plight of Aborigines through the eyes of German girl Hilda Müller. While Hilda is fictional, her father is a real historical figure alongside other characters in the book. Johnson describes the lengths that Victorian scientists took to understand a race of people different to them. Ironically, they used methods that showed the people who they were studying were more civilised than they were. She blends fact with fiction to create an atmosphere where anything could happen, that all depended on one decision that would impact the lives of many. She also describes the history of showmanship, mentioning P.T. Barnum but also other showmen who took advantage of the curiosity of their tribes in order to turn them into sensational performers for the public.
The author successfully contrasts the beautiful rugged lands of Australia in the 1800s with the bustling cities of Hamburg, Berlin, Paris and London. Johnson also introduces another protagonist who watches over Hilda and the other Aborigines whose presence is unknown in the story. She also holds up to the readers the question of forgiveness which is a prevalent theme throughout the novel. Overall, Johnson weaves a tale of acceptance, love, loyalty and friendship against the backdrop of an age where being different is dangerous.
