Wrong Side

Available at Riverbend Books, SLQ Bookshop, Avidreader, Berkelouw Books and Amazon
Or contact nayefdin@gmail.com for personalised author copies.

“The handful of historical chroniclers of 1820’s ‘Moreton Bay’ – of which I am one – remain painfully aware that the paltry handfuls of documents at their disposal from this era represent not so much a window onto the past as, more that likely, a wilful distortion of it. For these are all Occupier Documents: What they have to say about the First Nation true owners are invariably misreadings, composed either out of cultural ignorance or purposeful slander. The real windows into this past are actually the yawning gaps in the fabric of our understanding through which the finely tuned, reconstructive imagination is bold enough to pass. We can observe all that compellingly displayed in this evocative volume, Wrong Side. For here the past is humanised rather than sanitised. It is layered and subtle rather than flatly or insipidly one-dimensional. The experience of reading this book represents a whole world renewed, rather than yet another tired recycling of the dry residue of dubious documentary fragments.”

– Raymond Evans,
Historian and Poet

“The Wrong Side delivers even more than I expected! After being taken in by the story of Bunji and his experiences in pre-invasion Meanjin, Din has expanded on the story in a magical and exciting way.
As the journey continues, the reader is drawn into a sense of impending tragedy, thanks to Din’s foreboding of historical events. It’s hard not to be emotional when you read about the events unfolding, and it’s easy to draw parallels between the fictional characters experiences and the reality of how Australia was invaded.
The transition to a new set of characters experiencing their own upheaval in England is done well, and made me feel a connection with characters that I have usually despised in other novels.
The thing that impresses me most in this novel is the amount of research that must have been conducted to ensure accuracy and respect to Indigenous knowledge. As an Aboriginal man, I find myself transported to the era of my ancestors, and it is magical. As a former long term resident of Brisbane, it is so easy to picture what life could have been like before the arrival of the English. The modern cultural references are also a lot of fun, and there is a wonderful hidden humour for anyone familiar with English football.
I can not wait for the final instalment of this series, though I know I will also mourn the end of the story, as all readers do with all great stories. I hope that this trilogy reaches the masses as the story is great, the reflection is even better.
Great read, highly encouraged.”
– Phillip Gweagal Canham
(reviewed on http://www.goodreads.com)

“Wanted to write and say thank you for your book. It took me awhile to get into it as the names and culture are so different. I’m 70 years old and brought up in England. Always loved history. The renting of pineapples was completely new to me. We were taught the great feats of the British in school. We were proud to be British. As I have grown older I have learnt much more of the truth, how the British upper class was pig headed, ignorant and often downright cruel. I’m part of the working class so can understand much of Rebecca’s world. Your characters are so real and compelling. I hope you manage to write book 3. I felt like there was so much more to tell.
Thank you again. A brilliant book.”
– Dawn Newstead, Redcliffe