Former Diplomat's Novel Explores Hidden Histories

Ian Kemish AM, an Australian diplomat with a 25-year career, has released his debut novel, "Two Islands." Kemish's extensive diplomatic roles included serving as ambassador to Germany and high commissioner to Papua New Guinea, as well as an international adviser to the prime minister. He began writing "Two Islands" in 2008 during his tenure as Australia's ambassador to Germany.

"Two Islands": A Novel of Trauma and Escape

"Two Islands" is set in the 1990s, following the Balkan War. The narrative centers on Niko, a young man who seeks safety and anonymity in Scotland's remote Western Hebrides after testifying as a witness in a war crimes trial. There, he encounters another outsider, Slow Fergus, and their stories become intertwined.

Concurrently, war crimes investigator Anita Costello initiates a search for her missing key witness in Australia. The novel's tension and narrative are deeply informed by Kemish's high-level international relations experience.

Diplomatic Insight and Personal History

Kemish stated that "Two Islands" focuses on individuals who carry hidden histories into peaceful environments. He noted that while the 1990s are often remembered as a time of innocence, it was also a period of significant conflict, including the dissolution of Yugoslavia and heightened tensions in Northern Ireland.

The "darkness" carried by the characters originates from the Balkans, particularly Bosnia.

The Scottish Western Hebrides, where the contemporary plot unfolds, serves as Kemish's second home.

During the 1990s, Kemish was a diplomat in his early 30s, operating directly in the Balkans. His regional responsibilities covered Bosnia, Croatia, and Slovenia during the latter stages of the Bosnian and Croatian Wars. He was present in locations like Sarajevo and Zagreb during the conflict, prior to the 1995 Dayton Accords, serving as an "eyes and ears" for the Australian government.

Crafting the Narrative: Process and Themes

Kemish had long aspired to write fiction, noting that the prologue of "Two Islands" was drafted in 2008. He had previously published a non-fiction title, "The Consul," in 2022.

He chose the Balkan War as a backdrop to highlight a period that many have forgotten and to combine it with one of his favorite locations, exploring the impact of taking hidden trauma into an entirely different setting. He mentioned an anecdote from an International Criminal Court investigator who had taken witness statements from Rwandan genocide victims in the Arctic Circle, inspiring the idea of victims seeking extreme distance from their past.

Kemish's diplomatic career influenced the novel by providing a perspective on the 30-year-old conflict and informing character roles. While the story is not entirely dark, certain incidents are based on events from the Balkan conflict. He highlighted Australia's connections to the conflict, noting large Croatian, Bosnian, and Serbian communities in Australia, and that approximately 40% of Australia's refugee and humanitarian intake from the region in the 1990s came from Bosnia. He also pointed out that the conflict received significant media attention in Australia at the time.

Regarding his plotting approach, Kemish described it as not extensively planned, but rather built during the writing process, with a general sense of the book's arc from the beginning.

Key Characters and Literary Inspirations

The novel is told from the perspectives of four main characters:

• Anita Costello: An AFP officer on secondment to the Hague Tribunal, characterized as strong and likable, drawing inspiration from Kemish's past collaborations with the AFP.
• Niko: Described as a bright, young, brave, yet frightened, innocent witness.
• Fergus: A recluse with military skills, suffering from hidden trauma and PTSD, a character Kemish spent time researching.
• Ronnie Greensill: An eccentric observer who helps hold the community together, based on a real person affected by World War II who dedicated himself to helping others on his island.

Kemish cited several literary inspirations, including Melissa Lukashenko's "Edenglassie," Louise Doughty's "A Bird in Winter," and the works of John le Carré, particularly for his depth of character and portrayal of vulnerability. "Two Islands" is published by UQP.