The Winds of Heaven by Judith Clarke
Judith Clarke is a sensational Australian author of young adult fiction. She combines lyrical pose, with thought-provoking themes in Australian settings that are evocative. Her characters are multi-layered and memorable, dealing with real issues.
In The Winds of Heaven Clarke addresses friendship, poverty, educational opportunities, depression and suicide. The darker themes, especially the concept of suicide as an option, make this a book more appropriate for older teens; however, it is clear that the untimely death is a tragedy that could have/should have been avoided.
The story involves the friendship between two cousins: Clementine lives in Sydney, Fan (Francesca) lives in a tiny country town. Both are born into lives of limited opportunity. Clementine's dad works in a factory, and they live in the Western Suburbs, but she manages to earn a scholarship to a better school. Fan's mum has been deserted by her shearer father, and Fan's older sister Caroline leaves the house as soon as possible to escape the emotionally abusive, desperate atmosphere.
The novel spans almost 60 years, but is mostly set in the 50s and 60s.
The cousins see each other rarely, and only when Clementine makes the long journey out west by train. During those visits there is an intense attraction. Clementine is fascinated by Fan's infectious enthusiasm for life and affection. Fan has befriended an Aboriginal elder on the outskirts of town, and has had her eyes opened to the beauty of creation, and the possibility inherent in being named by him Yirigaa (morning star). She calls Clementine gindaymaidhaany (sister) implying a deep bonding.
However, there is a subtle crossing over of circumstance as Fan's free-spirited nature (and lack of parental modelling or control) leads to inevitable romances and a forced marriage. Meanwhile Clementine earns a scholarship to university, the first on her street to achieve such an honour.
Through Fan we see the limitations of being female, being poor, being in a country town with limited resources, having a neglectful mother, having a form of intelligence that is not recognised within the school system, and lacking a moral compass.
Through Clementine we see the opportunities of using skills, benefitting from the affirmation of a mother and father dedicated to helping her achieve her best, working hard, and a strong sense of right and wrong.
In one tragic scene, the poverty-stricken Fan takes her young son and baby to a library in a town 50 miles away to borrow some books and source a poem that she caught a line from; only to be stymied by judgmental and pernickety librarians.
The stanza she was seeking was from Henry Vaughan's "They are all gone into the world of light":
If a star were confin'd into a Tomb
Her captive flames must needs burn there;
But when the hand that lockt her up, gives room,
She'l shine through all the sphere.
This is a summary of Fan's dilemma. Lots of little things have contributed to her confinement: poor decisions, reckless actions, the neglect of friends and family, undiagnosed depression… How can she escape?
There are hints of her seeking for answers from shards of wisdom taught her through Scripture at school: the image of Jesus, meek and mild; and a prayer: "But in the kingdom of Thy grace, Give this little child a place."
However, her understanding is fragmented and shallow; and there is no-one available to nurture her into faith, or to help her realise her potential as a woman and young mother. She carefully arranges for the care of her children… and walks away.
Meanwhile, the winds of heaven blow this way and that, a reminder that everything beautiful is possible; but every harm and evil as well. We can shape our journey by our response to circumstances; but the wisdom of the Maker, and the company of others who can guide and guard, are essential for a positive arrival.
