Valley of Lagoons

Australia #1

by Patricia Shaw

In 1825 the square-rigger Emma Jane sets sail from England, carrying on board convicts bound for the penal colonies and a handful of paying passengers determined to brave the perilous journey to a new land of opportunity - Australia. The settlers discover that the quickest road to wealth lies in laying claim to vast tracts of cattle-grazing land - though this soon brings them into conflict with fierce Aborigine tribes. Aristocratic Jasin Heselwood, forced to flee England to avoid gambling debts, will stop at nothing to join the elite ranks of cattle kings. Double-crossing friend and foe alike, he starts a feud with the Irish squatter Pace MacNamara that has tragic consequences for both their families. But it is the women who are the true Jasin's spoilt wife, Georgina, who refuses to be crushed by his ruthlessness or by his infidelities; and the convict girl Dolour, who is to be his Nemesis...

Genres: Historical Fiction, Australia

672 pages, Paperback

First published February 22, 1990

About the author

Patricia Shaw was an Australian novelist and non-fiction writer.

Reviews

[Lennsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Schöner Roman, zum Eintauchen in eine andere Zeit der Kolonialisierung auf der anderen Seite der Welt.

[Phair · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite by Shaw but a good historical about settling of Australia- in particular the big cattle stations. The book begins and ends in the late 1950s then goes back to 1820s to follow the fortunes of several families and individuals, some transportees and other seeking their fortune in the new colony. The story continues thru the 1840s and the start of the gold rush era.

I think I prefer her more focused novels- this one had too many characters and too much going on. It covered politics, aborigine culture and bushwars, love triangles, corruption, outlaws, natural disasters, land grabs, rivalries and more! Too much to keep up with and no real central story. The ending seemed very abrupt and then you jump to the 1950s again and get a little bit more of "what happened" from the point of view of the descendants of those early settlers. Unfortunately not all the history was passed down so the current folk actually know less than the reader.

I believe these same families are the subject of another book by Shaw- one I have not read. I had to send to the UK for a used copy of this one. I read 4 or 5 of her books that must have had US editions back in the 80s, early 90s and was really taken with them. So, if you like Australian history and family sagas this was OK but not Shaw's best.

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cleverly scripted saga about the aborigines and the early settlers of Australia. The fiction woven tightly around the facts. The stubborness , resiliscence and courage of many of the first settlers. Very interesting was the complex organisation of the tribes, most of which seems to have disappeared in the present. There were convicts, rogues- many who thought themselves a cut above every one else and many decent , hardworking people who were just trying to make a new life for themselves in a hard and unforgiving country.

[Cheryll · Rating 3 out of 5]

A BIG read at 536 pages! Australian historical fiction with facts intertwined in the story. English convicts and settlers claiming land in Australia and taking over Aboriginal land. Some awful scenes and unfairness. I hated Jasin Heselwood and hoped he would be the person that didn't survive! I found it a bit difficult remembering who some of the characters were, but a good read nonetheless.

[Yy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this in a readers digest tome back in high school where literature was scarce in the household. I can still picture the vivid green landscape, and the colonial white settler throwing a boomerang that killed his pursuer and affirming his adopted aboriginal identity.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jason Heselwood , zoon van een verarmde lord vlucht voor zijn gokschulden naar Australië, samen met zijn vrouw Georgina. Op de boot zitten ook vier Ierse politiek gevangenen en Pace Macmara, een Ierse hitman. De landrace kan beginnen.

[Dpic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such good story telling.