Daryl Tarte’s Latest Book is a Must Read

The views expressed are those of the author of this article and not of the University of The South Pacific or any newspaper. This is a book review of the The Boy, The Old Man and A Wreck. It is published by Olympia Publishers, 2020. The book is available from the USP Bookcentre. Contact maharaj_v@usp.ac.fj

The Old Man, The Boy and A Wreck is a breathtaking and moving story that will become one of the great classics of literature. Much of the emotional impact of this novel comes from the richly developed character of Greg Skipperton, an octogenarian and an ex-sugar mill manager who meets his new fifteen year –old neighbour, Paul Wilson.

Little do they know that their first meeting will develop into a profound friendship that will spring up to bring changes in both their lives.

As Greg struggles to come to terms with the meaningless and dreary autumn of his life, he is forced to change his perspectives from his own space when he is dragged into the modern technological era where he unleashes his dormant creativity.

The boy, basically good hearted, inspires the Old Man to come to terms with living in real time and turns his hands to writing a novel that captures his experience and adventures about survival at sea and the moods of the ocean. Greg draws part of the point of any survival novel is that the protagonist returns changed, having learned a kind of self-reliance that can’t be learned in civilisation which is certainly true here as he does not anticipate the depths of this experience.

But the author, Daryl Tarte makes it easy to see, and perfectly understandable, that both their lives can never be the same after knowing each other.

Introductions

In doing so, he introduces the first chapter as “The Meeting” between Greg, the old Man and the Boy. As Greg (retired) comes out with his coffee, he notices the boy coming out of the gate from the house next to his, he introduces himself as “Skipper”, his dog “Barty”, and his boat “Cocaine” to the boy namely, Paul Wilson.

In the next chapter “The Manager” Tarte focuses more on the life of Greg, the hard and also humble times as he grew up in a farm in Bundaberg in Queensland.

His father was rather a cold-hearted man who made Greg and his two brothers work from dawn to dusk and treated them as labourers after finishing school.

He continued this job and became a skilful farm operator and being a good footy player, he was appointed as a Junior Field Officer.

Since CSR owned 4 sugar mills in Fiji, he was offered a similar position at the Rakiraki Mill. This was the biggest break for Greg.

Moving on, the next chapter, Tarte introduces “The Boy”, Paul Wilson whose birth was not exactly planned. His parents (Rod & Janet) met at a New Year’s Party and became so inebriated that they ended up having sexual intercourse which resulted in Paul’s arrival.

Much of this chapter covers the very interesting essence of Paul’s family life- the conflicts, decisions, resistance of how they ended up in Fiji.

In the chapter “Retirement” Tarte’s story is gaining momentum when Greg finally walks into his office knowing that it was one of his last days. The Penang Mill was a part of his life but because of the downturn in the sugar industry and following a re-structure, he was to make an exit. He knew well that this day was coming but was never ready for it.

Since 10 years of age, he was surrounded by people but it will be only him and Molly now and Greg knew very well that his opinions will not heard to save the industry.

Friendship and adventure

Moving on to the rest of the chapters, Tarte’s book tells a story of friendship and adventure - It was by this time, the boy had moved in next door.

Tarte has always published novels about Fiji and the Pacific - biographies and factual books on Fiji.

His hobby has always been writing besides his professional employment as an executive in the sugar industry and currently, he holds Director and Chair positions in a number of companies.

This novel of his The Boy, The Old Man and A Wreck is also crafted and documented in the settings of an idyllic seafront location in tropical Fiji and is a must read.