Absolution Creek in Aussie Readers

Aug 26, 2012 Mish rated it liked it

Shelves: australian-authors

The Author defiantly has a passion and knowledge for the rural life and the land, and it shines through into her storytelling. Even the little details such as the weather, animals, dust and the creek, all play such a significant part in the characters development; whether they will succeed or not, and their test of strength and willpower in the fight to make Absolution Creek profitable. Farming life is a very harsh life and it bought out the true qualities of these characters, whether good or ba ...more

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Sep 11, 2012 Shelleyrae at Book'd Out rated it really liked it

Shelves: aussie-author, arc-are

As a fourth generation grazier, Nicole Alexander writes what she knows, sweeping sagas set in Australia's rural farming land. Absolution Creek is her third novel, with dual narratives set in 1923 and 1965.

Jack Manning is eager to escape the family run grocery store in Sydney's grimy city streets and make his fortune so when a kindly neighbour offers him the opportunity to make a living on the land he jumps at the chance. Promising to send for his sweetheart, Olive, in a few months, Jack sets of
As a fourth generation grazier, Nicole Alexander writes what she knows, sweeping sagas set in Australia's rural farming land. Absolution Creek is her third novel, with dual narratives set in 1923 and 1965.

Jack Manning is eager to escape the family run grocery store in Sydney's grimy city streets and make his fortune so when a kindly neighbour offers him the opportunity to make a living on the land he jumps at the chance. Promising to send for his sweetheart, Olive, in a few months, Jack sets off to Absolution Creek determined to establish New South Wales finest station. With only a few books to guide him he purchases sheep and begins the arduous task of taming the bush.
More than forty years later, as an old man begins his journey from southern Queensland in search of redemption, Cora chases a wild pig from the banks of Absolution Creek in the predawn light and considers the imminent arrival of the niece she has never met, and her plan for revenge against the step sister who destroyed her family.

Initially the shift between timelines is quite disorientating as the characters seem entirely unrelated but as the narrative unfolds revealing the past and present, the stunning connections between Jack, Scrubber, Cora slowly begins to emerge. Three quarters of the way through the lengthy book I was tempted to complain about the sheer crowd of characters but as the book concludes each finds a path that adds to the depth of the plot. It was Squib's, and later Cora's, story I found most intriguing though, as the epicenter for novel's story.

The historical details in the novel are fascinating, beginning with the forced acquisition of homes and businesses to make way for the construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, I can barely imagine the city without the iconic structure in place. I was also unfamiliar with the story of the ram featured on our fifty cent piece, (I am sure I have mentioned it before but Australian history was completely neglected when I was at school and I am constantly amazed at what I am finally learning through fiction) which I found interesting. At least I know a little about the hard work it took (and still takes) to farm in rural Australia and I felt Alexander's portrayal of the life authentic.

Absolution Creek is a complex tale of love, betrayal, jealousy, murder and revenge. I found it to be an absorbing read and I'd recommend Absolution Creek to fans of both historical fiction and the rural lit/romance genres. I am only sorry it took it's time making it's way to the top of my reading list. ...more

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