Sweet Bitter Cane in Aussie Readers

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Feb 12, 2019 Brenda rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2019-release, read-on-kindle, aussie-authors, reviewing-by-request, historical-fiction, arc, gift-from-author, own-read

Amelia was only twenty years old when she was married by proxy to Italo. Her wedding was in Italy with her family – Italo was in Australia in Far North Queensland. When Amelia finally left Italy to travel to Australia to join Italo, a man she’d never met, the journey by sea was long and arduous. Her chaperone, Clara, was also travelling to Australia with her son, to join her husband whom she hadn’t seen for six years.

Leaving Clara in Brisbane, Amelia, who spoke very little English, was taken by Amelia was only twenty years old when she was married by proxy to Italo. Her wedding was in Italy with her family – Italo was in Australia in Far North Queensland. When Amelia finally left Italy to travel to Australia to join Italo, a man she’d never met, the journey by sea was long and arduous. Her chaperone, Clara, was also travelling to Australia with her son, to join her husband whom she hadn’t seen for six years.

Leaving Clara in Brisbane, Amelia, who spoke very little English, was taken by Fergus first to Cairns, then on to Babinda where Italo had his cane farm and a small, run down cottage which was to be her home. In the first weeks of her arrival, Amelia wondered what she had done. She missed her family dreadfully, she didn’t know this man who was her husband, she had no stove, no facilities. But Maria from the next farm was kind and helped Amelia as much as she could.

As the days, months and years passed, Amelia found her way with Italo’s cane growing business, doing the accounts and keeping the business in the black. But the British Australians were anti Italian – the bitterness and hostilities were escalating. Attacks on Italians cane farmers were sudden and cruel.

But it was when the second World War hit that Amelia, Italo and the family’s lives changed forever. Would Amelia’s strength and determination be enough to keep the farm alive? Internment was a dreadful thing…

Sweet Bitter Cane by Aussie author G.S. Johnston is an incredible story about a young woman who immigrated to Australia just after the first world war; the hostilities she faced; her determination and courage; and her life in a country that didn’t treat her particularly well. Amelia is a good strong character, although at times I didn’t particularly like her. I liked Italo’s character and sometimes felt sorry for him, but my favourite character was Flavio, their son. A wonderful historical fiction novel, Sweet Bitter Cane is one I highly recommend.

With thanks to the author for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
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Feb 20, 2019 Janine marked it as to-read

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