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32nd out of 33 books
—
20 voters
The Golden Land
by
Di Morrissey
The Golden Land is the dramatic story of a young Gold Coast mother and her ties to Burma, from bestselling Australian author Di Morrissey (The Opal Desert).
With a loving husband and two small children, Natalie is happy with her lot in life. While helping her mother move house, she finds a little box containing a Burmese artefact. When Natalie learns its unique history in a...more
With a loving husband and two small children, Natalie is happy with her lot in life. While helping her mother move house, she finds a little box containing a Burmese artefact. When Natalie learns its unique history in a...more
Paperback, First
Published
November 1st 2012
by Pan Macmillan Australia
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With the exception of The Opal Desert, I’m afraid the last few novels from Di Morrissey have not been for me. I adore all her older books though. The Golden Land is just an ok, easy read, and if you like learning about the political difficulties that are faced in Burma, you might enjoy it, but for me I was not gripped by this one. I didn’t connect with any of the characters, and felt at times it was a bit of a slog to keep going. Disappointing…….
I'm wondering if the editor went on holidays. The text was passive, dialogue used as information dumps and the characters incredibly one dimensional. I know this author is capable of better writing. Were the deadlines too strict? This story had glimpses of brilliance at the start and the end but the middle certainly sagged.
Half way through and finding this text excruciating. It is very slow and the character of Natalie is dull and boring. The conversational elements of the text with other key characters are extremely difficult to read as they just do not seem genuine-like a badly written play. Have given up on this one!
Just didn't work for me. Previous Morrissey novels left me feeling uplifted but the earnestness of Natalie in this one grated all the way through and I was just relieved to get to the end. I felt the story was contrived and Natalie was just annoying. Disappointed.
I enjoyed the first few chapters and last few chapters, all of which were based around Burma. I found the rest of the chapters a little gruelling as it was primarily based around the main character, Natalie Cutler, and the ongoings of her life. Whilst this was gruelling for me to read it helps set up the journey to Burma.
I listened to this as an audio book, and was disappointed to listen to a male reader narrating the story of a female's journey. Every time he tried to talk as a female he made her sound whingy, and he made the male sound weasley, and I kept expecting the husband to be a bad person.
Overall, the content was very interesting and well presented, giving us an idea of what life for the Burmese was like, and giving the history of the country, however, I found this book more factual than representative...more
Overall, the content was very interesting and well presented, giving us an idea of what life for the Burmese was like, and giving the history of the country, however, I found this book more factual than representative...more
The latest edition to the Di Morrissey collection, I found this novel less engaging than others I have read by her. While the book was easy to read and similar to the journeys Di portrays in most of her books, it didn't captivate me this time around
A very simplistic,boring novel.
I hated the ever tedious explaining of the obvious.
Badly written.
The story had potential ,but was excruciatingly dragged out ,with naive and unbelievable talk and directives,.
Give it a miss.
I hated the ever tedious explaining of the obvious.
Badly written.
The story had potential ,but was excruciatingly dragged out ,with naive and unbelievable talk and directives,.
Give it a miss.
The best part of this book was the last third when Natalie finally gets to Burma - feels like you are there discovering Burma alongside her. The first two thirds were a struggle to get through - not great writing and unnatural dialogue - trying to pass on too much information.
Jan 25, 2013
Jen Ford
added it
Pretentious! I found this boring and preachy. I enjoyed her earlier works but I think the formula is now overworked. I couldn't like any of the characters, came across as too righteous.
Another great read creating a showcase for a culture to appreciate and explore, getting involved in the journey with the characters.
I loved The Opal Desert, but for me The Golden Land was less enjoyable. The author's research translated into long, inauthentic speeches in dialogue, instead of emerging organically. I felt that the lecturing got in the way of immersion and characterisation; so I was left knowing more about Burma, but caring little about the main characters.
Not bad, but I wanted more.
Not bad, but I wanted more.
Disappointing , I have read all of Di's books and thought this particular book was without substance . :(
It took me a bit to get into this book. Once I got into it anther great read. I enjoyed reading about Burma.
Thanks to Sharron for giving me this book as a xmas gift, I loved it. Di's ability to describe the country's she writing about in such detail as to make you believe that you are there is amazing.
Whilst I definitely enjoyed another of Di Morrissey's novels and I enjoyed finding out about Burma and the drama and political difficulties that the country faces, I didn't enjoy it as much as I have enjoyed other Di novels.
Whilst I enjoyed finding out all the information about Burma and their struggles I found that I didn't get to know as much about the characters as I would have liked as the novel had a bit of a lecture feel to it, in regards to Burma.
Whilst I enjoyed finding out all the information about Burma and their struggles I found that I didn't get to know as much about the characters as I would have liked as the novel had a bit of a lecture feel to it, in regards to Burma.
I wasn't enjoying this book at all so didn't manage to finish it!
Really enjoyed this book. Loved reading about the history of Burma.
Jan 09, 2013
Patty Mcnamara
added it
I enjoyed it, But not as much as her other books. Thought it was a bit slow to get started
Disappointed with this one! Easy reading but not gripping!
Di's books are becoming too formulated. This one is even more annoying with political rants and "speeches". The story line again follows her previously successful formula and I was originally captivtaed by the setting. Unfortunately the historical research was paper thin and didn't inspire me to follow up with further reading on my part.
You can do better Ms Morrissey, decide if your forte is romance, historical romance or something else and work at it.
Disappointing.
You can do better Ms Morrissey, decide if your forte is romance, historical romance or something else and work at it.
Disappointing.
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Another great Di Morrissey novel. Historical fact meshes with good Aussie fiction to produce a novel to keep the reader enthralled.
Interesting background on Burma.
I love the fact that when you read a Di Morrissey book, you will learn something! I loved reading about Burma, along with the story of Natalie and her family. My mother in law is from Burma, so this was particularly interesting for me. This is my favourite of Di's books so far.
I loved the book and the story of Burma was very interesting and well written. Great book as usual
The tone of this was a bit preachy but the information about Burma/Myanmar was interesting.
Loved it, now want to visit Burma
May 17, 2013
Lisa
marked it as to-read
May 15, 2013
Bev Cribb
added it
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Di Morrissey (born 18 March 1948 in Wingham, New South Wales) is one of Australia's most popular female novelists. She grew up in the remote surrounds of Pittwater, north of Sydney, Australia.
Growing up she counted famous Australian actor Chips Rafferty as a close mentor and friend who helped provide for her and her mother after the death of her father as a child, sending them overseas to Californ...more
More about Di Morrissey...
Growing up she counted famous Australian actor Chips Rafferty as a close mentor and friend who helped provide for her and her mother after the death of her father as a child, sending them overseas to Californ...more
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