Paper Daisies in Aussie Readers

Jan 28, 2015 Brenda rated it it was amazing

Shelves: aussie-authors, sent-by-publisher, 2015-release, uncorrected-proof, own-read, arc, favourites, historical-fiction

Berylda Jones was a medical student at the University of Sydney; on completion of her exams she was due to head back home to Bathurst for the Christmas break and the celebrations at the end of 1900. But instead of feeling joy at going home, she was feeling a mixture of sickness and horror. She had no choice but to go home though, as her sister Greta was there; the beloved sister who hadn’t been able to escape the clutches of their cruel and barbaric Uncle Alec. She dreaded to think what poor Gre Berylda Jones was a medical student at the University of Sydney; on completion of her exams she was due to head back home to Bathurst for the Christmas break and the celebrations at the end of 1900. But instead of feeling joy at going home, she was feeling a mixture of sickness and horror. She had no choice but to go home though, as her sister Greta was there; the beloved sister who hadn’t been able to escape the clutches of their cruel and barbaric Uncle Alec. She dreaded to think what poor Greta had been going through…

But her determination and anger at the situation had reached new heights and she was going to remove both Greta and herself from Uncle Alec forever, if it was the last thing she did. Having lost both their parents at a tender age, they found themselves in the care of Uncle Alec and his wife Aunt Libby (their mother’s sister) – moved from the only home they had known in Katoomba to Bathurst. But then Aunt Libby had been struck down by disease and died – never did they anticipate the depraved ways of their Uncle.

Ben Wilberry was a botanist who was grieving deeply over the loss of a loved one – after a falling out with his father he took leave from his position in Melbourne and travelled west from Sydney, out through the mountains in search of a paper daisy while accompanied by his best friend and artist Cosmo Thompson. The day that Ben wandered up to the fence line of a property in Bathurst, having spotted a particularly delightful flower, was a day that would change his life forever. For Berylda the arrival of Ben literally on her doorstep would have a profound impact as well.

When Berylda organised for Greta and herself to be accompanied by both Ben and Cosmo on a buggy ride where they would picnic then arrive in Hill End fully chaperoned, she knew Uncle Alec would do his best to stop them. But she won as she knew she would. Her reason to visit Hill End she told no-one – her plan was in motion…

I thoroughly enjoyed Paper Daisies by Aussie author Kim Kelly. Deeply entrenched in Australian Federation with the lead up to women being given a vote, this heart wrenching but wonderful novel is told with compassion and depth. Narrated by both Berylda and Ben the gradual blending of their stories is beautifully done. The Author Note at the end of the book explains how the author came to write Paper Daisies, and is very interesting. Kim Kelly’s story telling abilities are astounding – this historical fiction novel set in the early 1900s is her best yet in my opinion, and I’ve loved them all. I have no hesitation in recommending Paper Daisies highly.

With thanks to the author and Pan MacMillan for my copy to read and review.
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May 18, 2017 Kathryn rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fiction, audiobooks, australian-authors, reading-list-2017

I’m in 2 minds about this book. I thought some parts were great - the author’s note at the end was very interesting, regarding where Kim Kelly gathered the inspiration for the book, and some of the information regarding women’s rights at the turn of the century, and this aspect of the book was well done, with the main female character, Berylda, studying medicine and wanting to be a surgeon even though job prospects for women were slim to none, and her female best friend at university studying la ...more

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Oct 08, 2016 Kira rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Kim Kelly has written an intriguing story. She manages to capture the backdrop of early Australian federation without being overly heavy-handed. The difficulties facing people of non-white racial origins, the differences in societal class, and women’s roles were handled well.

The characters were vivid, even if they weren’t all likeable. Berylda is a strong female protagonist and she doesn’t always do what you expect or want her to. I love that for once the male protagonist wasn’t an “alpha”. Ben ...more

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