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Windmill Hill
A beautifully written and very moving Australian story about confronting the past and the need for atonement Once, Blink Johns’ gifts as a gardener were beyond compare throughout northern Tasmania. Now age, infirmity and illness have rendered him a shadow of his former self—even the closest members of his family have become strangers to him. Except for one, his grandson, in whom the old man sees the image of Angus Bain, former miner, friend and comrade who saved Blink’s life during the First World War. So why would his grandson, a successful architect, abduct Blink from his nursing home, leaving behind only a cryptic note? In the rugged landscape of western Tasmania, two men try to make amends with the past.
361 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2003
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
April 25, 2023
Windmill Hill was a wonderfully surprising book for me. I knew nothing about it and it sat in my bookshelf for several years. I believe I picked it up at a book fair someplace. I was heading to Tasmania on a 3 month trip after having only been there once before on a whirlwind 10 day holiday. I loved it and always wanted to go back and do it again, slowly and properly to enjoy it’s beauty. Before leaving I randomly grabbed a bunch of books from my bookshelf to read in the evenings while away. I now have one week left of my 3 month trip before leaving Tasmania, and I have just finished this book. What’s more it is Anzac Day today so there are so many reasons why this is such a coincidental and timely book for me to read. It’s a gorgeous book and i have loved every minute of it. I must admit i had never heard of Michael Jacobson before. This book is so beautifully written and I am keen to read more of his material. The book is factual in terms of the settings but is otherwise fictional. The story is about a family and it’s three generations and specifically focuses on a grandfather and his grandson. A lot of the story takes place in France during WWI and captures the horrors, brutality, and futility of life in the muddy trenches for the young soldiers on both sides. Another gorgeous theme throughout the book is of gardening and flowers. The main characters love of nature, soil and flowers is brought out so wonderfully in words by the author. A beautiful book in many ways and highly recommended
September 7, 2018
Loved the sensitivity of the author. I would love to read more books by him. The author in a way that describes feelings for all the characters and how we all become intertwined in others lives and how we respond to the same event . Well written story
May 2, 2018
Loved it. Beautiful writing about a relationship, getting older, war memories, friendship, gardening, families and truth, set in a distinctly Australian landscape. Loved it.
November 3, 2018
A nice idea, this book is about an adult grandson trying to connect with his grandfather who has dementia and bringing family together. Mateship and a love for gardening are also strong themes. What appealed to me was that it was mainly set in Tasmania, Launceston to Queenstown with sections set in WWI in France. I found the pace and writing style of the book a little 'ho hum' but if you are happy to go with the flow it may appeal. Some editing out of extra padding would improve this aspect. The writing came more alive in the sections set in France.
February 19, 2022
Tale told in a very matter-of-fact manner. Author does an impressive job of describing emotions without using words to excess. I couldn't put it down.
April 15, 2019
An easy read. Interesting story about a grandson "breaking out" his grandfather from a nursing home. I like how the back story unfolds for all of the characters. Cute little book.
June 28, 2023
I liked it. It is about an old man with dementia who used to be a gardener. His nephew takes him to Queenstown in Tasmania (which is heavily polluted) to build a garden and to repay a debt.
February 4, 2024
Not a bad read but a bit boring and repetitive.
April 11, 2024
Being a gardener that is good with a shovel has its benefits when you find yourself digging trenches on the western front in WW1.
June 18, 2017
3.5 stars
A work colleague loaned me this book after we spoke one day of how I like reading novels set in places I know and love. I had never heard of this book but she brought it in because it is set in my home state and, even better, in the city where I was born and raised
Although not structured thus, the novel to me feels as though it has two parts. The first half of the book feels almost a love poem to Tasmania and a recounting of life in Launceston. I have to say that the author has captured the vernacular perfectly. The characters speak exactly as the older generations in my family do. But, rather sadly, I was disappointed this same accuracy was not extended to places with a number of inaccuracies with location names. For example, calling Carr Villa (the cemetery) 'Garden Villa' and calling Royal Park 'Regent Park'. In addition he refers to the suburb Invermay as 'the bog'. It was/is known to locals as 'the swamp' due to the marshy ground it is build on. I lived there for the first decade of my life and the houses would all shake whenever a truck drive down the main road. The author almost makes it seem the West Coast of Tasmania is a short drive away. It is, in fact, a long and difficult drive from Launceston (I use the word 'long' in Tasmanian terms) through highland areas and very windy roads. There can be snow and landslips. I think if you are writing an homage to a time or place it is important to ensure accuracy and these facts are easily checked.
The second part or half of the novel is where the story line really takes ascendancy over the authors attempt to capture time and place. The story follows Blink Johns, a man in the twilight of his life whom it appears, though it is never specified, has Alzheimer's. His grandson takes his from his nursing home without the knowledge of staff or his family to take him to Queenstown to re-pay old debts.
The first half of the novel was okay, but not outstanding. I enjoyed wondering what sights of my local town the author might mention next. Alas, he left out all the best bits. However, the second half of the novel was very moving and was written beautifully. If I have any criticism of this half it is that I think the 'twist' at the end was unnecessary and detracted from the power of the novel and what had happened leaving up to that. Still I cried. And any book that makes me cry is a good one.
The book has a non-linear structure with shifts between the present and various earlier time periods. The historical sections include France during WW1 and the early days of mining in Queensland (West Coast of Tasmania). There is also shifting viewpoint between 1st and 3rd person. These are well integrated however and do not cause confusion.
Despite my irritation over the factual errors, as detailed above, I enjoyed this book. Seriously considering buying my own copy.
A work colleague loaned me this book after we spoke one day of how I like reading novels set in places I know and love. I had never heard of this book but she brought it in because it is set in my home state and, even better, in the city where I was born and raised
Although not structured thus, the novel to me feels as though it has two parts. The first half of the book feels almost a love poem to Tasmania and a recounting of life in Launceston. I have to say that the author has captured the vernacular perfectly. The characters speak exactly as the older generations in my family do. But, rather sadly, I was disappointed this same accuracy was not extended to places with a number of inaccuracies with location names. For example, calling Carr Villa (the cemetery) 'Garden Villa' and calling Royal Park 'Regent Park'. In addition he refers to the suburb Invermay as 'the bog'. It was/is known to locals as 'the swamp' due to the marshy ground it is build on. I lived there for the first decade of my life and the houses would all shake whenever a truck drive down the main road. The author almost makes it seem the West Coast of Tasmania is a short drive away. It is, in fact, a long and difficult drive from Launceston (I use the word 'long' in Tasmanian terms) through highland areas and very windy roads. There can be snow and landslips. I think if you are writing an homage to a time or place it is important to ensure accuracy and these facts are easily checked.
The second part or half of the novel is where the story line really takes ascendancy over the authors attempt to capture time and place. The story follows Blink Johns, a man in the twilight of his life whom it appears, though it is never specified, has Alzheimer's. His grandson takes his from his nursing home without the knowledge of staff or his family to take him to Queenstown to re-pay old debts.
The first half of the novel was okay, but not outstanding. I enjoyed wondering what sights of my local town the author might mention next. Alas, he left out all the best bits. However, the second half of the novel was very moving and was written beautifully. If I have any criticism of this half it is that I think the 'twist' at the end was unnecessary and detracted from the power of the novel and what had happened leaving up to that. Still I cried. And any book that makes me cry is a good one.
The book has a non-linear structure with shifts between the present and various earlier time periods. The historical sections include France during WW1 and the early days of mining in Queensland (West Coast of Tasmania). There is also shifting viewpoint between 1st and 3rd person. These are well integrated however and do not cause confusion.
Despite my irritation over the factual errors, as detailed above, I enjoyed this book. Seriously considering buying my own copy.
October 30, 2016
Set on the north west and west coasts of Tasmania, this sweet tale tells the story of a grandson helping his frail and elderly grandfather pay a debt to a long dead fellow serviceman from WW1. The ending is on one hand unexpected but also slightly improbable. However, I still enjoyed this book. An easy read.
August 21, 2013
My pick for my book club. I really enjoyed this tale, would like to give it three and a half stars opposed to 3. Must say the ending was a little far fetched which probably stopped me giving it a four star rating. But an enjoyable read nontheless.
July 2, 2012
SEt near Launceston - great light read.
October 4, 2014
Put this book down when I found the plot development to be too confused.
December 15, 2015
had to give up after a while, not enjoyable as too many characters and I got lost. shame as I really hate giving up on a book.
October 31, 2013
Probably 2.5 stars. Some great scenes but a bit repetitive.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews