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Pastures of the Blue Crane
Ryl, on the death of the father she barely knew, discovers that she is now the co-owner, with a grandfather she's never met, of a rundown property among the cane fields in northern New South Wales. It's the home her father grew up in - the one her grandfather hasn't seen in decades. The decision to go out there and fix it up, with her difficult grandfather tagging along, is more a matter of contrariness than anything else.
Making the property profitable again is a challenge Ryl rises to, and along the way she learns about herself and her family.
Making the property profitable again is a challenge Ryl rises to, and along the way she learns about herself and her family.
288 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1987
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
July 20, 2014
First read this many years ago in high school and remember thinking it 'wasn't terrible' (obviously not, as I still have the same copy from way back then on the shelf, whilst the vast majority of my other school books have been consigned to the rubbish bin).
Over the ensuing years, I have re-read PotBC and thoroughly enjoyed it with each new reading, especially the vivid descriptive passages of the environs of both Melbourne & the northern NSW coast, having lived in &/or visited both of these areas a lot over the years.
And whilst the storyline itself is a fairly simple 'coming of age' story, I still look forward to the next time I'm re-aquainted with Ryl, Dusty, Perry and the rest of the gang.
Highly recommended for an enjoyable, easy read - one of my favourites.
Over the ensuing years, I have re-read PotBC and thoroughly enjoyed it with each new reading, especially the vivid descriptive passages of the environs of both Melbourne & the northern NSW coast, having lived in &/or visited both of these areas a lot over the years.
And whilst the storyline itself is a fairly simple 'coming of age' story, I still look forward to the next time I'm re-aquainted with Ryl, Dusty, Perry and the rest of the gang.
Highly recommended for an enjoyable, easy read - one of my favourites.
August 9, 2016
Ryl, on the death of the father she barely knew, discovers that she is now the co-owner, with a grandfather she's never met, of a rundown property among the cane fields in northern New South Wales. It's the home her father grew up in - the one her grandfather hasn't seen in decades. The decision to go out there and fix it up, with her difficult grandfather tagging along, is more a matter of contrariness than anything else.
A friend lent this to me because it's set in the region I grew up in, in the Tweed Valley. It's even (so neat) about a girl who moves from Melbourne to the Tweed Valley; somewhere in the fifties or early sixties. Back when Coolangatta was this little beach town where everybody knew everyone else.
I kind of loved it, actually. The descriptions were marvellous, but they made me feel a little odd... all the talk of jacaranda blossom and poincianas and cane fields and banana plantations and snake-infested monsterias made me homesick and nostalgiac, but it was presented from Ryl's perspective as being so exotic. Childhood nostalgia and exotics are a pretty distance from each other, so it was an odd... er, juxtaposition.
It wasn't really the story I was expecting. I thought it would be a standard sort of girlchild-moves-from-grey-city-to-uncomplicated-grandfather's-home-and-blossoms. But it's a coming of age story and a coming home story and ... I liked it.
A friend lent this to me because it's set in the region I grew up in, in the Tweed Valley. It's even (so neat) about a girl who moves from Melbourne to the Tweed Valley; somewhere in the fifties or early sixties. Back when Coolangatta was this little beach town where everybody knew everyone else.
I kind of loved it, actually. The descriptions were marvellous, but they made me feel a little odd... all the talk of jacaranda blossom and poincianas and cane fields and banana plantations and snake-infested monsterias made me homesick and nostalgiac, but it was presented from Ryl's perspective as being so exotic. Childhood nostalgia and exotics are a pretty distance from each other, so it was an odd... er, juxtaposition.
It wasn't really the story I was expecting. I thought it would be a standard sort of girlchild-moves-from-grey-city-to-uncomplicated-grandfather's-home-and-blossoms. But it's a coming of age story and a coming home story and ... I liked it.
December 3, 2015
I knew "Pixie" Brinsmead, and admired some aspects of her writing, so I included this book on my reading list for a class of 14 year-olds in a girls' school. This was only a few years after the Australian Broadcasting Commission's very expensive 1969 TV adaptation. Looking back, I think I was curious as to how the girls would respond, given that my own perception of the book might have been affected by my friendship with the author - plus, of course, the fact that adult males were not her intended readership! Most of the girls in that class loved it.
Some other reviews here have said it is now a bit dated. It seems to me that the basic coming-of-age theme is perennial, and the style reflects Pixie's persona. She was a charming, unworldly, elfin-like character. The one aspect that seems dated to me is the inter-racial theme. Yet in a sense that is unimportant, since the "secret" in the story might just as easily have been the cover-up of a mass-murderer in the family, or perhaps a paedophile. What seems to me more important is how Ryl responds to a scandal that is quite beyond anything she was prepared for at that stage of her life.
By the way, with regard to the age-group for which this book was written, it may help to know that the novel won the 1965 Children's Book of the Year Award in the category of "Older Readers". As far as I can recall Ryl was 16, but I suppose that was close enough to the age of the girls in my classroom for them to relate to her.
Some other reviews here have said it is now a bit dated. It seems to me that the basic coming-of-age theme is perennial, and the style reflects Pixie's persona. She was a charming, unworldly, elfin-like character. The one aspect that seems dated to me is the inter-racial theme. Yet in a sense that is unimportant, since the "secret" in the story might just as easily have been the cover-up of a mass-murderer in the family, or perhaps a paedophile. What seems to me more important is how Ryl responds to a scandal that is quite beyond anything she was prepared for at that stage of her life.
By the way, with regard to the age-group for which this book was written, it may help to know that the novel won the 1965 Children's Book of the Year Award in the category of "Older Readers". As far as I can recall Ryl was 16, but I suppose that was close enough to the age of the girls in my classroom for them to relate to her.
May 5, 2025
rounded up to four stars because old house/farm fixing up is my jam, and in this case it being an Australian farm (with no sheep-new for me!) added value. Not quite my favorite house/farm fixing type of story though because the heroine has money to throw at the place (though she does do a lot of work herself). The elements of the book that dealt with race were sometimes jarring; although the book had an anti-racist message, the author wasn't able to transcend the ingrained racism of the time and place and culture in which it was written and set. I was also made uncomfortable by one of the relationships in the book==
Spoiler
Spoiler
April 15, 2021
I Just loved this book! I was able to read it on openlibrary.org. An orphan finds out she has been left an inheritance of a farm near the coast in Australia, and also meets her grandfather for the first time. How she adjusts, makes friends, learns more about her family and finds a path for the future make a wonderful story. I love the description of the setting at the farm, overlooking a valley leading to the sea, with pastures of waving grass and a beautiful blue crane. I love the characters, the gruff but lovable grandfather, the interesting friends, the helpful neighbors, and Ryl herself. Even though Ryl starts out as a selfish, snobby type of girl, I felt myself rooting for her and sympathizing with her. It's great to see her transformation into a caring, sensible and productive person. There isn't a wrong note anywhere. A heartwarming story that left me feeling so happy inside!
October 1, 2011
Easily readable though a little dated. Although it suggests towards the big questions in life, it chooses the high road and sails past the interesting details. One of those happily ever after scenarios where you know the world isn't quite all bread and roses that the author suggests it is. Felt like it was pitched to a ten year old rather than YA fiction, even though the main character is at that awkward stage between school and grown up life and her friends are all at university.
But I'm impressed - I didn't catch on to what the book was about until I was a good two thirds through it. It kept making me feel uncomfortable and I never realised that this was the point until I was a majority of the way through. I wont say anything about the plot or characters because I worry knowing anything before hand might take away the bits I did manage to get out of this book.
But I'm impressed - I didn't catch on to what the book was about until I was a good two thirds through it. It kept making me feel uncomfortable and I never realised that this was the point until I was a majority of the way through. I wont say anything about the plot or characters because I worry knowing anything before hand might take away the bits I did manage to get out of this book.
April 6, 2019
Pastures of the Blue Crane, by H. F. Brinsmead, is an old childhood favourite of mine. It was nagging me for a reread, so I decided to oblige.
In Melbourne, a snobbish girl called Amaryllis (Ryl) Merewether’s distant father dies, and she discovers she has a property in Bundoora, along with a long-lost grandfather.
Bundoora is bush, only a tiny little town, far away from civilisation. Ryl is devastated. Forced to live in the dump, she must learn to adjust – and in turn, she learns new skills, like painting, surfing, and she makes friends with the local boys. She also has to question her racist prejudices, as she makes a new discovery about her family.
It’s a wonderful book, and it’ll make every Aussie long for the Australian Dream – living life rough, in the great outback, simple fare, and a horse companion.
In Melbourne, a snobbish girl called Amaryllis (Ryl) Merewether’s distant father dies, and she discovers she has a property in Bundoora, along with a long-lost grandfather.
Bundoora is bush, only a tiny little town, far away from civilisation. Ryl is devastated. Forced to live in the dump, she must learn to adjust – and in turn, she learns new skills, like painting, surfing, and she makes friends with the local boys. She also has to question her racist prejudices, as she makes a new discovery about her family.
It’s a wonderful book, and it’ll make every Aussie long for the Australian Dream – living life rough, in the great outback, simple fare, and a horse companion.
November 21, 2015
I read this one a few years ago, when I was about 12, I think. I enjoyed it so much, that no sooner had I finished it than I started reading it again! Part of what made it such a special book for me at that time was the fact that it is set on the Far North Coast of NSW, which is where my mother grew up, and close to where I have grown up. The pink grass, the blue crane, and so many other places and things described in the book are familiar sights to me.
November 26, 2019
Really adorable book. It's not very hard to follow at all. It's a little dated so a few details confused me. Nevertheless, I love how it used real life places (some of which I have been to and I found it exciting to see them in the book!). The conclusion is very unexpected and I would actually recommend it to other people.
December 15, 2012
Read on a recommendation by a friend, who read it when she was younger. I can see why you might like it, and grow to love it when you are a child, but being a little older, I could only be taken by its charm. Delightful, refreshing and light.
June 26, 2011
I thought this book was excellent, I can't wait for my daughter to be old enough to read this
one-day
September 17, 2014looks well written, complicated, needs a thorough review. Tangara library may have it for review?
November 1, 2015
A beautifully written classic Australian book - well worth a read. It's one of my all time favourites.
January 14, 2018
Great story..enjoyed reading it after a friend's recomendation.
April 13, 2018
Many people share a special love and particularly strong memories of the book 'Pastures of the Blue Crane' written by Hesba Fay Brinsmead and first published by Oxford University Press in 1964.
"The story opens in Melbourne, where Amaryllis (Ryl) Merewether, aged 16, is told her father has died and that she is to inherit his farm on the north coast of New South Wales. There is a catch; the co-heir is the grandfather she never knew she had. The snooty schoolgirl and the ramshackle old pensioner are clearly at odds, yet both are curious about the farm and agree to take the train together and visit their property.
The pair are captivated by the beautiful, almost tropical landscape, and soon its luxuriance begins to work its magic on lonely, isolated Ryl and tetchy Dusty. Too young for university, and with nothing else to do in the meantime, Ryl renovates the old farmhouse and makes of it the first real home she has ever had. She makes new friends, including the mysterious taxi driver, Perry. To her astonishment, she finds relatives her father never told her about ... and discovers why he kept them hidden" ( Wikapedia).
The story was set largely in the valleys of the Tweed in Northern NSW, and Coolangatta, Qld, Australia. The descriptions Brinsmead brought to life on the pages are evocative of living in those times and conjour up intense feelings and images of places that remain with us today.
ABC adapted the story into its very first TV mini series in 1969 and starred Jeannie Drynan as Ryl Merewether. The house 'Lovat Brae' featured in the series can still be found today if you look are willing to look hard enough.
The series is held by the ABC and in the National Archives of Australia and there is a growing desire by many to have this series made available for public viewing once again. We hope to help make this happen. Check out our Facebook page 'Friends of Pastures of the Blue Crane".
"The story opens in Melbourne, where Amaryllis (Ryl) Merewether, aged 16, is told her father has died and that she is to inherit his farm on the north coast of New South Wales. There is a catch; the co-heir is the grandfather she never knew she had. The snooty schoolgirl and the ramshackle old pensioner are clearly at odds, yet both are curious about the farm and agree to take the train together and visit their property.
The pair are captivated by the beautiful, almost tropical landscape, and soon its luxuriance begins to work its magic on lonely, isolated Ryl and tetchy Dusty. Too young for university, and with nothing else to do in the meantime, Ryl renovates the old farmhouse and makes of it the first real home she has ever had. She makes new friends, including the mysterious taxi driver, Perry. To her astonishment, she finds relatives her father never told her about ... and discovers why he kept them hidden" ( Wikapedia).
The story was set largely in the valleys of the Tweed in Northern NSW, and Coolangatta, Qld, Australia. The descriptions Brinsmead brought to life on the pages are evocative of living in those times and conjour up intense feelings and images of places that remain with us today.
ABC adapted the story into its very first TV mini series in 1969 and starred Jeannie Drynan as Ryl Merewether. The house 'Lovat Brae' featured in the series can still be found today if you look are willing to look hard enough.
The series is held by the ABC and in the National Archives of Australia and there is a growing desire by many to have this series made available for public viewing once again. We hope to help make this happen. Check out our Facebook page 'Friends of Pastures of the Blue Crane".
February 6, 2022
Read this book at school in the early 1980s, loved it then, still love it now. Wonderful character development, as Rhyl changes from being a defensive, uptight private school girl when her life takes an unexpected direction and she begins to find out more about who she really is, making wonderful friends along the way.
February 1, 2020
I enjoyed this young adult fiction. Simple reading with the joy of finding family, friends and acceptance. Coincidentally, the first chapter is set in Melbourne and I began to read it at the end of my first day of holiday in Melbourne!
August 26, 2021
picked it up when i was in eighth grade from my school library, and i remember being completely enthralled. the descriptions in particular were so vivid that i can remember some of them till this day. unfortunately i could not find the book again and have been looking for it ever since :/
January 5, 2024
I was given this to read at school when I was 12 or 13, I remember thinking "yeah I wouldn't mind inheriting a property in the country". I would recommend it to someone of a similar age. I wouldn't mind spending some time in northern NSW now that I think about it, maybe I should re-read...
December 25, 2018
I picked this book up to read as it's set in the area I am fortunate to live in. Although it's a young adult book it was an enjoyable read.
May 30, 2020
I loved this as a child and the story has stayed with me ever since
September 17, 2020
First read this book at school! Loved it then, love it now ❤️
May 26, 2021
Sweet little book based around where I live - uncomfortably racist undertone reflective of attitudes at the time.
June 16, 2021
Still a fantastic read.
I read this book as a pre teen and enjoyed it very much. I have just reread it and was mesmerised by the story again.
Highly recommended.
I read this book as a pre teen and enjoyed it very much. I have just reread it and was mesmerised by the story again.
Highly recommended.
December 18, 2022
Really enjoyed this! Loved reading about life in the 60s in Australia.
April 12, 2025
I love this book. One of my very favourite books ever. I love the relationship between grandfather Dusty and grandaughter Ryl, and how it slowly blooms, like the dump of the house they live in does as Ryl transforms it with newfound skill. They meet neighbouring Perry early on in the story and Ryl's relationship with him is also lovingly treated.
The descriptions of both Melbourne and northern NSW/QLD are so evocative and beautiful. Other than Melbourne, I've only been through the parts described once or twice on holidays as a teen, but can completely imagine it all because of the author's fabulous descriptions. It's no suprise to learn that H.F. Brinsmeade was also a passionate environmentalist, as she so clearly loves the land and the creatures that inhabit it, such as the blue crane of the title.
For the time that it was written (the 60's) the racial elements were also generally sympathetically written, leaving one with a sense of sadness and loss, but also of reconciliation.
I highly recommend this title to all, as most definitely a 'good read.'
The descriptions of both Melbourne and northern NSW/QLD are so evocative and beautiful. Other than Melbourne, I've only been through the parts described once or twice on holidays as a teen, but can completely imagine it all because of the author's fabulous descriptions. It's no suprise to learn that H.F. Brinsmeade was also a passionate environmentalist, as she so clearly loves the land and the creatures that inhabit it, such as the blue crane of the title.
For the time that it was written (the 60's) the racial elements were also generally sympathetically written, leaving one with a sense of sadness and loss, but also of reconciliation.
I highly recommend this title to all, as most definitely a 'good read.'
September 1, 2022
I like the middle part best, where nothing really happens but Ryl just fixes up the old place and hangs with her friends or explores the farm or town. That's the best part.
Then at the end the plot swoops back in with a conflict, and then wraps everything neatly up, and that's it. I just don't get the part at the end where
Then at the end the plot swoops back in with a conflict, and then wraps everything neatly up, and that's it. I just don't get the part at the end where
December 28, 2024
I can remember watching the TV series Pastures of the Blue Crane when I was much younger so this book has been one I have wanted to read for quite awhile now. The story has racial and social issues as themes which were dealt with much differently than if this story had been written today as compared to 50 odd years ago. I found the way the characters spoke so much different to us now but that is to be expected because of the age of the book. I really enjoyed it though especially as I have frequently visited the areas in NSW that she was describing.
October 11, 2020
A re-read. I think I must have read this in late primary school or early high school. First published in 1964, prior to the legal end of the White Australia policy circa 1973, this book I think was considered quite progressive for its time. Set in the Tweed Valley, it seeks to undermine racist attitudes towards South Sea Islanders living in northern NSW and QLD, descendants of indentured workers brought in to work on sugar plantations from the 1840s. Really well-written.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews