At times, the pace of the novel is disorienting and the dialogue unnatural. But the author displays a considerable understanding of wildlife conservation and of the interaction between humans and animals. Not surprising then that Jim Landells sounds most convincing when writing about things such as agriculture, poaching and the rapid modernisation taking place in Kenya.

The point that comes to mind is the same one made in relation to George Orwell’s novels: would they have achieved their purpose more effectively in non-fictional form? In asking this of Ivory to Australia, however, one assumes that the foundation of the novel is a political or social argument (we are told, in the author’s note, that transporting elephants to Australia is indeed one of Landells’ dreams). If, on the other hand, the point is to offer non-stop thrills, then cramming into almost 500 pages as much action and adventure as possible doesn’t seem to be a bad way of going about it.