Author(s): Cher Chidzey

Australian Fiction

Ken, a middle-aged Chinese engineer arrives in Australia with a fake identity on a holiday working visa. He has big dreams of wealth to be made for the benefit of his family. But his arrogance makes him a target at work. Racial tension emerges as xenophobic Red and Ken try to reconcile their differences. His imminent visa expiry forces him to enrol in a communication course at TAFE, an alternative plan to gain employment with a multinational company on returning to China. Meeting Julia, his communication teacher shifts his quest to embracing life. The Red-Ken friendship chips off the fossils in Ken's heart - Julia's love penetrates it. Ken's Quest gives insight into migrants' frustrations over work place dynamics, under employment, discrimination and alienation. It exposes Australians' fear of displacement.