This Red Earth in Aussie Readers

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Feb 10, 2013 Brenda rated it it was amazing

Shelves: reviewing-by-request, aussie-authors, sent-by-publisher, 2013-release, historical-fiction, own-read, gift-from-author

Alternatively narrated by both Bernadette (Bernie) Cooper and Gordon Brock, this novel started in 1939 when the onset of WW2 was very close. Bernie lived with her Mum and Dad in Coogee, Sydney, with Gordon boarding next door with Mrs Zoc, (full name Mrs Zoccini, but everyone called her Mrs Zoc). Bernie and Gordon would spend time at the beach, gazing out at Wedding Cake Island and enjoying the sunshine. Gordon was originally from Nyngan, and his Dad was still there on their property. Gordon was Alternatively narrated by both Bernadette (Bernie) Cooper and Gordon Brock, this novel started in 1939 when the onset of WW2 was very close. Bernie lived with her Mum and Dad in Coogee, Sydney, with Gordon boarding next door with Mrs Zoc, (full name Mrs Zoccini, but everyone called her Mrs Zoc). Bernie and Gordon would spend time at the beach, gazing out at Wedding Cake Island and enjoying the sunshine. Gordon was originally from Nyngan, and his Dad was still there on their property. Gordon was heading back on his motorbike to help with the shearing, as he was saving money to propose to Bernie; he had a ring on hold at Proud’s.

Bernie was confused…she knew Gordon (her Rock she called him, as he was a geologist) wanted to marry her, and she wanted to marry him, but she wanted a career too, she hated her job in Chalmers Department Store, and wanted more in her life. She wanted to be with her Rock, she loved him, didn’t she?

But when Gordon received an offer to go to New Guinea with a job for the government, all to do with rocks, mining near Rabaul, drilling for ore, and then her Dad was called to serve again – his second war, Bernie accepted Gordon’s proposal, and they were to be married on the 7th December, 1939. Gordon decided he would make good money to support Bernie, the contract was only for three years, and he could return home for the wedding!

So with Gordon in New Guinea, the war taking over, the Japanese invading and Singapore falling, Bernie decided she had to take her mind off her worry about both her father and Gordon. No mail was the worry, nothing seemed to get through, were they even getting her letters?

The wonderful narration of this book is what drew me in the most. Bernie is a real character, and I felt for her every step of the way. She had me laughing out loud at times, and in tears at other times. I loved the description of the country, the isolation of Hay, Willcania and the surrounding areas. The beauty of the Australian landscape has been described with knowledge and love, and author Kim Kelly has it down to a fine art.

With its secrets, love and heartbreak, harshness of the countryside and devastation of war, I have no hesitation in recommending this fantastic book to everyone.

With thanks to the author and publisher Pan Macmillan for my copy of this book. ...more

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Jun 02, 2013 Cornelia marked it as to-read

Shelves: australia

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Jun 15, 2019 Kathy marked it as to-read · review of another edition

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