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Ghost Gum Valley
A Sweeping Saga. An Unlikely Love. Isabel de Rolland, an English aristocrat, is sent to the penal Colony of New South Wales in 1833 to honour an arranged marriage. Wealthy ex-convict Garnet Gamble has paid her family's debts in exchange for the respectablility that her lineage will give his son Marmaduke whose 'convict stain' excludes him from Society. Isabel and Marmaduke...more
Paperback, 533 pages
Published
July 1st 2012
by Simon & Schuster Australia
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I really don’t read enough historical novels, and when I do it is rarely one set in Australia. So was glad to find a book that reminded me that I really do enjoy historical settings and should do it more often. Through the eyes of the main characters early Australia is brought alive – warts and all. I found myself googling for pictures of the real historical locations mentioned in the story. Society is portrayed very realistically, shedding light on the complex hierarchy of early Sydney society;...more
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Australian author Johanna Nicholls has contributed another solid read in the historical fiction genre with Ghost Gum Valley, set in early Australia. After reading her debut novel Ironbark (read my review), I couldn’t wait to pick up another Nicholls’ novel and immerse myself in Australia’s convict era.
Isabel de Rolland, a young English woman longs to escape her cousin Silas, but has been kept under lock and key by her guardian Godfrey for the past three years. Her sleepwalking escapade resulted...more
Isabel de Rolland, a young English woman longs to escape her cousin Silas, but has been kept under lock and key by her guardian Godfrey for the past three years. Her sleepwalking escapade resulted...more
A wonderful colonial Australian story! Ironbark was one of my favourite novels from last year, so when I saw Johanna had delved back into the convict era with another novel, Ghost Gum Valley was a must for me. This book is so well researched and written as soon as you open the first page you are sent hurtling into a by-gone era of convicts and land-hungry settlers, with the odd ‘other’ (ghost) thrown in also. I loved Isabel and Marmaduke, who struggle to break free from the past and start a new...more
A very long novel about early Australia. I found myself tuning out a bit at times, and found some
things a bit too trite (I live in Australia). A good read, but a little too long, which when things became a little boring I'm afraid my attention wandered somewhat.
Best if read in stages.
things a bit too trite (I live in Australia). A good read, but a little too long, which when things became a little boring I'm afraid my attention wandered somewhat.
Best if read in stages.
I read all of the book, but must admit to wondering why a few times. A 'sort of' rollicking romp is an apt description methinks.
This book transported me back in time . The characters were so real and their story amazing. I couldn't put this book down .
Characters were good all had lot's of secrets.
A bit long and slow at times.
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