In 1859 William Caldwell, a Scottish scientist studying platypuses in Australia, sent home the following telegram: ‘Monotremes oviparous ovum meroblastic’. You’ll find out exactly what he’s talking about in Love and the Platypus. Not much is known of Caldwell’s expedition to Australia, giving novelist and naturalist Nicholas Drayson the latitude to create a novel about scientific discovery, outback adventure and old-fashioned romance. The story begins with Caldwell’s arrival in Australia-he’s sitting on a wharf waiting for his ride when he becomes absorbed in the behaviour of a nesting wasp. As a trained naturalist, Caldwell’s senses are attuned to the marvels of the Australian landscape and its creatures. His descriptions are enthralling-a timely reminder of what a fascinating country we live in. Of course the platypus plays a major role in the story. In order to understand the make-up of this unusual creature, Caldwell must dissect numerous platypus specimens, extracting their internal organs and preparing slides for microscopic study. It’s fascinating stuff if you’re not too squeamish. The budding romance between Caldwell and the feisty Ettie Brown complements the story as the two debate the merits of new scientific theories-chiefly Darwin’s theory of evolution. However some of the story’s other subplots-the hunt for a highway robber and the mystery surrounding an Aboriginal massacre-are less successful. The rather dramatic conclusion, which reveals the true events surrounding the massacre, detracts from the more interesting story of scientific discovery.

Andrea Hanke is assistant editor of BOOKSELLER+PUBLISHER

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