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Tears of the Moon
Tears of the Moon is the spellbinding prequel to Kimberley Sun from Australia's favourite storyteller with new novel Before the Storm out now.Two inspiring journeys. Two unforgettable women. One amazing story.Broome, Australia, 1893: It's the wild and passionate heyday of the pearling industry, and when young English bride Olivia Hennessy meets dashing pearling master Captain Tyndall, their lives are destined to be linked by the mysterious power of the pearl.Sydney, Australia, 1995: Lily Barton embarks on a search for her family roots which leads her to Broome. But her quest for identity reveals more than she could have ever imagined.
483 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 1996
211 people are currently reading
1098 people want to read
About the author
Di Morrissey
77 books380 followersDi Morrissey (born 18 March 1943 in Wingham, New South Wales) is one of Australia's most popular female novelists. She grew up in the remote surrounds of Pittwater, north of Sydney, Australia.
Growing up she counted famous Australian actor Chips Rafferty as a close mentor and friend who helped provide for her and her mother after the death of her father as a child, sending them overseas to California to live with family.
In her later years, Di went on to become a journalist on London's Fleet Street, and worked for CBS in Honolulu, where she lived with her husband who was in the foreign service, and even had a small role in the series Hawaii Five-0, a guest role in season three, episode seven, 1970 starring as 'Alicia Anderson'.
After moving back to Australia, Di published her first book 'Heart of the Dreaming' which instantly became a bestseller. Since then Di has published another 17 bestsellers, her latest being 'The Silent Country'.
Growing up she counted famous Australian actor Chips Rafferty as a close mentor and friend who helped provide for her and her mother after the death of her father as a child, sending them overseas to California to live with family.
In her later years, Di went on to become a journalist on London's Fleet Street, and worked for CBS in Honolulu, where she lived with her husband who was in the foreign service, and even had a small role in the series Hawaii Five-0, a guest role in season three, episode seven, 1970 starring as 'Alicia Anderson'.
After moving back to Australia, Di published her first book 'Heart of the Dreaming' which instantly became a bestseller. Since then Di has published another 17 bestsellers, her latest being 'The Silent Country'.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 165 reviews
June 26, 2016
I enjoyed this book for about 3/4 of its length. In fact I ripped through about 400 pages with enthusiasm, because I was totally into the story. I particularly enjoyed the depictions of the late 19th and early 20th century pearling industry and the frontier town of Broome. I think the author handled the issues of Aboriginal identity very well, and she seemed to show both affection and respect for the traditional beliefs and way of life of her Aboriginal characters. This tolerance extended to the other races, mainly Asian, which made up the multicultural fabric of Broome in its pearling heyday.
Olivia and Tyndall are great romantic characters, both strong-willed, with big personalities and big ideas. Many of the minor characters were very appealing, such as the trusty Ahmed, Tyndall’s 2-i-C, the wise Aboriginal auntie, Millie, and the Mettas, Toby and Mabel, Olivia’s loyal friends. The baddies are deliciously wicked, including the vile Karl Gunther and the self-serving she-devil Amy.
However, for me the narrative deteriorated about 3/4 of the way in, and sank into melodramatic schmaltz, with the story line associated with Maya and her daughter. It beggared belief, even in a grand saga of sweeping historical fiction and sentimental romance. From about this point onwards, an awful lot of people seemed to die in tragic circumstances, visiting grief and chaos on the main characters. Too many deaths for my liking, and it stretched credibility too far for me.
There were times throughout this long book that the writing style deteriorated too. While some passages verged on lyrical, other sections were quite clunky, and I noticed a couple of anachronisms that rather grated. It is a wonder that a sub-editor did not pick up on such clangers.
Overall, though, this is a very enjoyable read, with two terrific main characters and a fabulous setting. I have visited Broome and the Kimberley region of Western Australia, and it is one of my favourite places. Morrissey does it justice, with her lively depiction of its historical boom time.
3.5 ★s
Olivia and Tyndall are great romantic characters, both strong-willed, with big personalities and big ideas. Many of the minor characters were very appealing, such as the trusty Ahmed, Tyndall’s 2-i-C, the wise Aboriginal auntie, Millie, and the Mettas, Toby and Mabel, Olivia’s loyal friends. The baddies are deliciously wicked, including the vile Karl Gunther and the self-serving she-devil Amy.
However, for me the narrative deteriorated about 3/4 of the way in, and sank into melodramatic schmaltz, with the story line associated with Maya and her daughter. It beggared belief, even in a grand saga of sweeping historical fiction and sentimental romance. From about this point onwards, an awful lot of people seemed to die in tragic circumstances, visiting grief and chaos on the main characters. Too many deaths for my liking, and it stretched credibility too far for me.
There were times throughout this long book that the writing style deteriorated too. While some passages verged on lyrical, other sections were quite clunky, and I noticed a couple of anachronisms that rather grated. It is a wonder that a sub-editor did not pick up on such clangers.
Overall, though, this is a very enjoyable read, with two terrific main characters and a fabulous setting. I have visited Broome and the Kimberley region of Western Australia, and it is one of my favourite places. Morrissey does it justice, with her lively depiction of its historical boom time.
3.5 ★s
January 10, 2023
4.5 stars
Audio narration by Kate Hood, she was wonderful.
Set in early 1900s and 1995.
Wonderful and compelling read about the history of Broome and the pearling industry.
Diverse characters.
A pearl necklace with a gorgeous, unusual pendant.
Significant photo.
Journals.
Two world wars.
A few deaths, too many for my liking.
Romance, can’t forget the romance 😊
Wrapped up in a lovely tidy bow. I do love that, oh yes, I do.
A splendid family saga. Look forward to reading the sequel.
Audio narration by Kate Hood, she was wonderful.
Set in early 1900s and 1995.
Wonderful and compelling read about the history of Broome and the pearling industry.
Diverse characters.
A pearl necklace with a gorgeous, unusual pendant.
Significant photo.
Journals.
Two world wars.
A few deaths, too many for my liking.
Romance, can’t forget the romance 😊
Wrapped up in a lovely tidy bow. I do love that, oh yes, I do.
A splendid family saga. Look forward to reading the sequel.
January 1, 2016
A couple of years ago I went on holidays to the Kimberlies, and stayed for a couple of days in Broome. I went out to Cape Leveque and Beagle Bay, and this part of the world is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been. I can’t imagine not connecting with a place like this, and feeling that it can somehow change you.
Reading this book brought back memories of my time there, as Di Morrissey has some good descriptions of place, and what it feels like to be there. I appreciated that the most about this book, because while I read a lot of romance, which is genre-adjacent, I don’t generally do this genre. It’s not my thing.
My experience of Australian historical fiction goes something like this. A young white woman arrives in some really remote place. ‘Your dress is stupid,’ a man laughs. If he’s handsome, she’ll fall in love with him. If she’s really lucky, they might get married in about thirty years.
The woman goes to live in a shack and spends huge swathes of time alone. Some man, generally her husband, will leave her a gun before he goes off to do something important. It will probably involve gold or sheep. It will most certainly involve gambling and getting very drunk and sex with cheap floozies.
He will instruct her to shoot any non-whites she sees. She must have large quantities of booze on hand so that when white men do show up, they can have a drink after they rape her. ‘If you are very good,’ her husband tells her, ‘in ten years time I will buy you a piano.’
The woman battles the elements, because it’s hot and rains and there are fires and floods and dust storms. Animals get diseases and die in agony. If she has children, at least one of them will get bitten by something poisonous and die. If there are workers around, they will have fights. They will fall off horses and break their legs and they will cut themselves with machetes. And die. There are no other white women. Other white women have either died or run away.
Occasionally, the man she will eventually marry will show up to rescue her from something and they’ll fight and/or kiss.
Australian historical fiction is all about being somewhere and attempting to appreciate its remote, savage beauty while you struggle to not die. And being racist. Australian history is full of racist.
‘Tears of the Moon’ has quite a few of these elements, but at least pearls aren’t gold or sheep, and I thought the history was interesting. It made a change from sheep in the bush. The book has a prologue (which I recommend skipping) but effectively starts with Lily. In 1995 she discovers that her recently dead mother has left her an amazing pearl necklace. Her mother has never talked about her past, and Lily is now curious to find out about her family. She sets out for Broome, thinking that she might do some research and write a book.
Most of the book deals with Olivia Hennessy, a young, recently married English woman who arrives with her husband to do some sheep farming. There’s tragedy, and an early encounter with swashbuckling Captain John Tyndall. When the sheep farming fails, Olivia, her husband Conrad, and Tyndall form a pearling venture.
Olivia’s story, and the stories of the people she encounters, span about 50 years. There’s the rise and fall of the pearling industry and two world wars. There’s the attacks on Broome in World War II. It’s very subtle, but there’s also the cultural change that takes place in the early part of the 20th century. Di Morrissey’s style isn’t big on internal character development. She’ll occasionally let you know how a character felt about something, but the whole book feels like a surface, factual account of what was going on. In some ways, it feels like non-fiction with a fiction-like gloss … the sort of books where the author decides to bring some primary source to life by inserting thoughts, feelings, dialogue etc into an historical person.
This is not necessarily a bad thing. The characters have interesting adventures. Some of those adventures are the type of thing that you’ve probably heard from someone who starts the story with ‘you wouldn’t read about it, but …’
While I’m not going to hurry out and buy more Di Morrissey books, or more Australian historical fiction, this was pretty enjoyable. And I want to go back to Broome.
Reading this book brought back memories of my time there, as Di Morrissey has some good descriptions of place, and what it feels like to be there. I appreciated that the most about this book, because while I read a lot of romance, which is genre-adjacent, I don’t generally do this genre. It’s not my thing.
My experience of Australian historical fiction goes something like this. A young white woman arrives in some really remote place. ‘Your dress is stupid,’ a man laughs. If he’s handsome, she’ll fall in love with him. If she’s really lucky, they might get married in about thirty years.
The woman goes to live in a shack and spends huge swathes of time alone. Some man, generally her husband, will leave her a gun before he goes off to do something important. It will probably involve gold or sheep. It will most certainly involve gambling and getting very drunk and sex with cheap floozies.
He will instruct her to shoot any non-whites she sees. She must have large quantities of booze on hand so that when white men do show up, they can have a drink after they rape her. ‘If you are very good,’ her husband tells her, ‘in ten years time I will buy you a piano.’
The woman battles the elements, because it’s hot and rains and there are fires and floods and dust storms. Animals get diseases and die in agony. If she has children, at least one of them will get bitten by something poisonous and die. If there are workers around, they will have fights. They will fall off horses and break their legs and they will cut themselves with machetes. And die. There are no other white women. Other white women have either died or run away.
Occasionally, the man she will eventually marry will show up to rescue her from something and they’ll fight and/or kiss.
Australian historical fiction is all about being somewhere and attempting to appreciate its remote, savage beauty while you struggle to not die. And being racist. Australian history is full of racist.
‘Tears of the Moon’ has quite a few of these elements, but at least pearls aren’t gold or sheep, and I thought the history was interesting. It made a change from sheep in the bush. The book has a prologue (which I recommend skipping) but effectively starts with Lily. In 1995 she discovers that her recently dead mother has left her an amazing pearl necklace. Her mother has never talked about her past, and Lily is now curious to find out about her family. She sets out for Broome, thinking that she might do some research and write a book.
Most of the book deals with Olivia Hennessy, a young, recently married English woman who arrives with her husband to do some sheep farming. There’s tragedy, and an early encounter with swashbuckling Captain John Tyndall. When the sheep farming fails, Olivia, her husband Conrad, and Tyndall form a pearling venture.
Olivia’s story, and the stories of the people she encounters, span about 50 years. There’s the rise and fall of the pearling industry and two world wars. There’s the attacks on Broome in World War II. It’s very subtle, but there’s also the cultural change that takes place in the early part of the 20th century. Di Morrissey’s style isn’t big on internal character development. She’ll occasionally let you know how a character felt about something, but the whole book feels like a surface, factual account of what was going on. In some ways, it feels like non-fiction with a fiction-like gloss … the sort of books where the author decides to bring some primary source to life by inserting thoughts, feelings, dialogue etc into an historical person.
This is not necessarily a bad thing. The characters have interesting adventures. Some of those adventures are the type of thing that you’ve probably heard from someone who starts the story with ‘you wouldn’t read about it, but …’
While I’m not going to hurry out and buy more Di Morrissey books, or more Australian historical fiction, this was pretty enjoyable. And I want to go back to Broome.
July 25, 2022
La historia de Australia y sus perlas con unos personajes tan vibrantes que te mantienen con el corazón en un puño.
3.5
3.5
July 1, 2015
This is maybe the BEST book I have ever read. It is an epic story about several very strong women, a great love, Australia, and Pearls and 2 world wars. It is amazing!
July 16, 2025
Encapsulated a lot of what I loved about the Kimberly alongside a deep history lesson into the pearling industry in Broome and its multiculturalism.
Shoutout to SM Gaz for recommending this as I would have never picked it up off my own back.
Shoutout to SM Gaz for recommending this as I would have never picked it up off my own back.
May 2, 2015
El mejor modo que se me ocurre para definir "El secreto de la perla" es decir que es una novela clásica, una novela que puede gustar a cualquier buen lector dispuesto a dejarse llevar por una gran historia y que enamorará a cualquiera que busque una gran historia de amor.
"El secreto de la perla" utiliza un recurso muy habitual para entrelazar el presente con el pasado; Lily Burton, la protagonista contemporánea, acaba de perder a su madre y entre sus pertenencias descubre un collar y unas fotografías que utiliza como excusa para averiguar la historia de su familia. Una vez la investigación de Lily avanza, nos encontramos con Olivia, la abuela de Lily de la que ella no sabía nada, y es esa historia la que realmente logra capturarnos, al menos ese ha sido mi caso. Los personajes que crea Di Morrissey son reales, tienen matices y sus sentimientos convencen y te atrapan.
La historia de Olivia Hennessey, su marido Conrad y el capitán John Tyndall es preciosa. Las subtramas que se desarrollan alrededor de la saga familiar, así como el trasfondo histórico sobre Australia e Inglaterra en el siglo XIX, los recolectores de perlas, son también fascinantes.
"El secreto de la perla" es una de esas novelas que sin duda puedes recomendar sin parar.
"El secreto de la perla" utiliza un recurso muy habitual para entrelazar el presente con el pasado; Lily Burton, la protagonista contemporánea, acaba de perder a su madre y entre sus pertenencias descubre un collar y unas fotografías que utiliza como excusa para averiguar la historia de su familia. Una vez la investigación de Lily avanza, nos encontramos con Olivia, la abuela de Lily de la que ella no sabía nada, y es esa historia la que realmente logra capturarnos, al menos ese ha sido mi caso. Los personajes que crea Di Morrissey son reales, tienen matices y sus sentimientos convencen y te atrapan.
La historia de Olivia Hennessey, su marido Conrad y el capitán John Tyndall es preciosa. Las subtramas que se desarrollan alrededor de la saga familiar, así como el trasfondo histórico sobre Australia e Inglaterra en el siglo XIX, los recolectores de perlas, son también fascinantes.
"El secreto de la perla" es una de esas novelas que sin duda puedes recomendar sin parar.
October 1, 2021
Another one I don’t remember. What I do now about Di Morrissey is though, is that I thoroughly enjoyed her work when I was younger, then I noticed a shift in the quality and the narration and conversation. The younger characters would speak in stilted language that did not fit within their age and it was off putting. The dialogue was forced and didn’t appears natural. It unfortunately turned me off, although I do have a couple unread left on my shelf.
June 19, 2016
I loved this book so much! I stayed up all night reading it and was so disappointed it had to end. I loved these strong women, their connection to the Aboriginal people, and the story of pearling in Broome. I was so excited when I woke up this morning and realised there is a sequel and I already have a copy in my bookshelf!!! I might be up all night reading again!
January 29, 2017
I loved this book and think it would make a great TV mini series. A good mix of history, romance and adventure.
December 19, 2012
I have read everyone of Di's books and this is by far my favourite! Having lived in Broome after reading this book, I found Di's portrayal of the pearling town as not too far from the truth. The captivating writing style makes me want to read it all over again!
November 2, 2021
En mi blog: https://lecturasdemarichu.blogspot.co...
Con este libro he tenido de todos los momentos posibles, son casi quinientas páginas que dan espacio a ello. Cuando lo empecé me estaba pareciendo aburrido, luego me empezó a enganchar porque se estaba poniendo interesante, luego casi hubiera golpeado a los protagonistas y el final....pues no se, no me esperaba ni me ha gustado el final así que finalmente lo valoro con tres estrellas.
Es una historia de amor muy clásica en la que chico conoce a chica y se hacen amigos sin saber, o si, que tienen unos sentimientos más profundos. Toda esta historia de Olivia y Tyndall es contada a través de las averiguaciones que hace Lily Barton de su pasado. Su madre una mujer muy reservada apenas le había contado nada y a través del diario de su bisabuela Olivia descubre sus orígenes.
Una vida llena de contratiempos en la que parece que no le estaba permitido ser feliz, una lucha constante por superar las adversidades y mucha fortaleza de espíritu y carácter.
Me ha parecido una historia bonita sin más, con tiras y aflojas entre los protagonistas y destaco las cosas que se pueden aprender sobre las perlas.
Con este libro he tenido de todos los momentos posibles, son casi quinientas páginas que dan espacio a ello. Cuando lo empecé me estaba pareciendo aburrido, luego me empezó a enganchar porque se estaba poniendo interesante, luego casi hubiera golpeado a los protagonistas y el final....pues no se, no me esperaba ni me ha gustado el final así que finalmente lo valoro con tres estrellas.
Es una historia de amor muy clásica en la que chico conoce a chica y se hacen amigos sin saber, o si, que tienen unos sentimientos más profundos. Toda esta historia de Olivia y Tyndall es contada a través de las averiguaciones que hace Lily Barton de su pasado. Su madre una mujer muy reservada apenas le había contado nada y a través del diario de su bisabuela Olivia descubre sus orígenes.
Una vida llena de contratiempos en la que parece que no le estaba permitido ser feliz, una lucha constante por superar las adversidades y mucha fortaleza de espíritu y carácter.
Me ha parecido una historia bonita sin más, con tiras y aflojas entre los protagonistas y destaco las cosas que se pueden aprender sobre las perlas.
February 26, 2023
I enjoy some Australian historical fiction from time to time, and I was excited to discover this book set in a part of Australia where my British mother spent five years in her twenties, before moving to Canada and marrying my dad. This is a very interesting and well researched deep dive into the pearling industry in Broome in the late 1800's and early 1900's. It does a great job of portraying the multi-cultural community that sprang up there with whites, aboriginals and assorted Asians coming together in a unique community and industrial partnership. The main characters are star-crossed lovers Olivia Hennessy and John Tyndall, whose love endures many challenges. I'm not always a fan of romance, but when entwined in a good historical story it can work well, and it does here. Unfortunately the story unravels into a series of improbable coincidences at the end, for which I am deducting a star. Surely this skilled author could have figured out a way to conclude this otherwise excellent story without stooping to melodrama.
March 18, 2018
No me gusto nada. Me costó mucho terminarlo, sólo lo hice porque no me gusta dejar libros empezados. No me gustó la narrativa de la autora, creo que además está mal traducido. No me conmovió. Las cosas se sucedían sin mucho sentido y sin un hilo conductor, como que no iban a ningún lado. No lo recomiendo.
December 10, 2016
I enjoyed this, although not as much as the other 2 Di Morrissey books I’ve read. At times it dragged a little, and I felt that a little more of the present-day involvement would have helped to break up the story a little. I was also confused about something told in the beginning that was never linked in - although perhaps it was never meant to be, but just to show how dangerous pearling could be. Nevertheless, it still made me feel that the story was a little disconnected.
I hadn’t known much about the pearling industry in Broome, and this book gave some interesting insight. I then went looking at some information online - this website (http://www.australia.gov.au/about-aus...) was good, and with more links at the end for people interested in exploring further.
I was also interested to read more about Aboriginal life and attitudes to family. I read Spirits of the Ghan by Judy Nunn a couple of months ago, and this feels like a continuation of that (although this book was written about 20 years earlier!). It was interesting to get a little more insight into some of the rituals of Aboriginal life and reasons behind them.
There are a couple of reasonably graphic sex scenes, for anyone who would rather avoid this. They probably are gratuitous - the story wouldn’t be any the worse if they were left out - but at least they are limited and not scattered throughout the book every few pages!
I will look forward to continuing to read Di Morrissey books - for the beautiful descriptions of Australia, if nothing else.
I hadn’t known much about the pearling industry in Broome, and this book gave some interesting insight. I then went looking at some information online - this website (http://www.australia.gov.au/about-aus...) was good, and with more links at the end for people interested in exploring further.
I was also interested to read more about Aboriginal life and attitudes to family. I read Spirits of the Ghan by Judy Nunn a couple of months ago, and this feels like a continuation of that (although this book was written about 20 years earlier!). It was interesting to get a little more insight into some of the rituals of Aboriginal life and reasons behind them.
There are a couple of reasonably graphic sex scenes, for anyone who would rather avoid this. They probably are gratuitous - the story wouldn’t be any the worse if they were left out - but at least they are limited and not scattered throughout the book every few pages!
I will look forward to continuing to read Di Morrissey books - for the beautiful descriptions of Australia, if nothing else.
February 15, 2022
Begins as a contemporary Australian story of Lily Barton, going through her mother's papers and finding an old pearl necklace she recognises but does not understand the significance of. It takes her to Broome to follow her roots and discover her family's story there. The story then follows the lives of early settler Olivia Hennesey and pearl diver captain John Tyndall through many twists and turns. It explores Broome's pearling heritage, its multicultural background of Japanese, Malay and Aboriginal people. I have always been intrigued by the early connection between the Australian indigenous people of the North and the Macassan traders, well before European civilisation (invasion). I found the writing clumsy at times but still could not put down the book, because it took me many places I wanted to go and showed me things I wanted to know more about.
November 19, 2013
Loved this book. I find it interesting to read about Broome and Darwin's multicultural heritage in the late 1800s. What a page turner - I tend to enjoy this type of historical fiction. I thought it a clever way to tell the story, by Lily's discovery of her past
September 11, 2016
Fantastic, love the historical as well as the romantic aspect of the story
July 2, 2019
An entertaining Aussie saga, in which I loved learning about the famous Broome pearling industry. It just went on a little too long at the end, and could have been cut by a few chapters.
February 11, 2019
I finished reading this book shortly before leaving Australia after spending six months in the country. I did not get to Broome, but this story has made me want to visit it. What a history it has had! It is told in an engaging way, about the lives of two intertwined families, love and loss, an industry I knew virtually nothing about, aboriginal culture and how war came to that remote area of Australia.
I will read more from this author.
I will read more from this author.
October 4, 2025
Interesante conocer sobre la industria perlera del norte de Australia. La historia central supera la historia más actual.
April 2, 2025
I read this book in grade 7 or 8 and it always stayed with me. 17+ years later I was able to track down the title of the book, something along the lines of “diving for pearls, blue cover”…thanks internet. Maybe because there was such a build up, I waited many years before I read it. Somethings are just meant to be a happy memory and not revisited.
August 20, 2024
Muy bonita historia 💙. Algunas partes se me hicieron un poco pesadas por ser tan descriptivas del entorno en que rodean los personajes. Pero cuando la autora se centró en la trama de la historia , se volvió muy interesante y emotiva.
Me encantaría leer más libros de la autora y de Australia
Me encantaría leer más libros de la autora y de Australia
June 2, 2022
Fell in love with Broome all over again 🧡
March 7, 2017
First published in 1995 but new to me, this is a fascinating book by Australian author De Morrissey set in Broome, Australia, in the late 1800s. It begins in Sydney in 1995 with a mother’s death. Lily thus embarks on a quest to learn about her background, something her mother would never share with her.
The larger part of the story is set in Broome and relates to what Lily learns about her heritage. A book of nearly 500 pages, it is a quick read because the reader is not likely to put it down very often. The mortar that holds the story together is an unforgettable love story, but there is much to learn about the harvesting of pearls, a dangerous occupation held mainly by the Japanese. Add to that the history and of the culture of the Aboriginal people, and one is left with a finer appreciation of pearls, Aboriginal culture, and undying love.
The larger part of the story is set in Broome and relates to what Lily learns about her heritage. A book of nearly 500 pages, it is a quick read because the reader is not likely to put it down very often. The mortar that holds the story together is an unforgettable love story, but there is much to learn about the harvesting of pearls, a dangerous occupation held mainly by the Japanese. Add to that the history and of the culture of the Aboriginal people, and one is left with a finer appreciation of pearls, Aboriginal culture, and undying love.
March 2, 2017
Absolutely loved this from start to finish. I enjoyed learning about Broome, the Pearling Industry and Australia. Would love to see this as a movie
May 10, 2022
Looking for books set in Broome/Kimberleys, and this one popped up. Never having read a Di Morrisey, I gave it a go. Yes a yarn, romance, bit of history, both pearling and social history. But of course none of her protaganists were at all racist/biased, in fact any other than the highest respect and consideration for the Aboriginal, Asian staff/friends, and ethical work practices. I wont be reading any more of hers!
April 4, 2022
This book had me engrossed in the storyline. I loved it so much. She is a good storyteller.
February 10, 2023
Rien qu’avec sa merveilleuse couverture, Perles de Lune m’a de suite charmé et cela était sans son résumé intriguant et riche d’évasion. L’Australie étant un pays que je ne connais que trop peu, j’étais impatient de découvrir l’une des activités caractéristiques de cette archipel et je ressors ravi de mon voyage aux bords des côtes littorales.
Voyage qui s’est dessiné bien loin de ce à quoi je m’attendais et bien plus périlleux. En effet Di Morrissey dévoile un texte aussi fort par moments que cruels à d’autres. Je ne m’attendais pas à traverser autant d’émotions et je ressors ravi de ces vives et merveilleuses sensations ressenties. En plantant son œuvre dans un contexte historique riche, cette dernière nous dévoile les modes de vie de récents colons côtoyant celui des peuples autochtones déjà présents. Ces différentes cultures présentées m’ont très vite charmé et c’est avec un intérêt certain que j’ai découvert cette alléchante peinture tant au niveau des us et coutumes que des merveilleux et dépaysants paysages dévoilés.
C’est d’ailleurs le premier atout de ce formidable roman d’évasion. Sans s’encombrer de nombreux détails Di Morrissey est parvenue à m’emporter dans son sillage dans son univers marin, entouré de houleuses vagues et de sable chaud. Mieux encore et bien qu’immersif à souhait, j’ai été ravi de découvrir l’art d’un métier méconnu, celui de chercheur de perles. Aussi dangereux soit-elle, cette traque se veut aventureuse et captivante à suivre au rythme des marées et autres aléas maritimes. Doublées de cette aventure se cache également d’importantes intrigues alliant romance et passion qui m’ont fortement convaincu et dont certains retournements de situations permettent de maintenir un constant rythme de lecture. Avec fluidité et efficacités, les pages de ce roman n’ont cessé de défiler jusqu’à une touchante fidélité. C’est pourquoi, j’ai été agréablement surpris de m’apercevoir que la double temporalité se veut assez timide et se veut plus introductive et conceptualisante.
Ainsi et bien que nous découvrions en premier lieu Lily, c’est en découvrant certaines lettres ainsi qu’un certain collier que celle-ci décidera de remontrer les traces de son arrière-grand-mère directement sur le lieu où sa lignée semble avoir débuté. Une fois sur place et grâce à ses investigations le lecteur est de suite basculer dans la vie trépidante d’Olivia, cette héroïne que je ne suis pas toujours parvenue à comprendre dans ses choix mais qui m’a néanmoins fortement convaincu de par sa force de caractère. Il faut dire que la vie lui réservera bien des surprises et qu’elle devra se battre afin de parvenir à se faire entendre en terre inconnue et dans un monde peu familier qui lui offrira la possibilité de bâtir la vie qu’elle mérite. Grâce à ce nouveau départ forcé, cette jeune mère de famille fera la connaissance de bien des personnages et tissera certaines amitiés mais c’est surtout l’amour qui guidera son cœur et ses nombreuses décisions tant personnelles que professionnelles. Les relations humaines sont d’ailleurs le cœur même de cette œuvre et j’ai été sensible à la merveilleuse et fine peinture esquissée par Di Morrissey. Sans être des plus profondes, les histoires de cœur et les moments de vie dévoilés ont répondu à mes attentes tout en parvenant à me toucher à certains moments de ma lecture du fait des sujets traités comme celui de la différence ethnique mais aussi sociale.
Enfin, Perles de Lune se veut une délicieuse lecture qui m’aura porté jusqu’au littoral Australien, le long de ses côtes aussi séduisantes que dangereuses. J’ai été ravi de découvrir de nouvelles contrées ainsi que de nouvelles coutumes et autres professions d’antan. Le tout bercé d’une intrigue alliant aventure et passion avec efficacité et sensibilité.
Cette lecture a été réalisée à l’occasion de mon partenariat avec les Editions de L’Archipel.
Voyage qui s’est dessiné bien loin de ce à quoi je m’attendais et bien plus périlleux. En effet Di Morrissey dévoile un texte aussi fort par moments que cruels à d’autres. Je ne m’attendais pas à traverser autant d’émotions et je ressors ravi de ces vives et merveilleuses sensations ressenties. En plantant son œuvre dans un contexte historique riche, cette dernière nous dévoile les modes de vie de récents colons côtoyant celui des peuples autochtones déjà présents. Ces différentes cultures présentées m’ont très vite charmé et c’est avec un intérêt certain que j’ai découvert cette alléchante peinture tant au niveau des us et coutumes que des merveilleux et dépaysants paysages dévoilés.
C’est d’ailleurs le premier atout de ce formidable roman d’évasion. Sans s’encombrer de nombreux détails Di Morrissey est parvenue à m’emporter dans son sillage dans son univers marin, entouré de houleuses vagues et de sable chaud. Mieux encore et bien qu’immersif à souhait, j’ai été ravi de découvrir l’art d’un métier méconnu, celui de chercheur de perles. Aussi dangereux soit-elle, cette traque se veut aventureuse et captivante à suivre au rythme des marées et autres aléas maritimes. Doublées de cette aventure se cache également d’importantes intrigues alliant romance et passion qui m’ont fortement convaincu et dont certains retournements de situations permettent de maintenir un constant rythme de lecture. Avec fluidité et efficacités, les pages de ce roman n’ont cessé de défiler jusqu’à une touchante fidélité. C’est pourquoi, j’ai été agréablement surpris de m’apercevoir que la double temporalité se veut assez timide et se veut plus introductive et conceptualisante.
Ainsi et bien que nous découvrions en premier lieu Lily, c’est en découvrant certaines lettres ainsi qu’un certain collier que celle-ci décidera de remontrer les traces de son arrière-grand-mère directement sur le lieu où sa lignée semble avoir débuté. Une fois sur place et grâce à ses investigations le lecteur est de suite basculer dans la vie trépidante d’Olivia, cette héroïne que je ne suis pas toujours parvenue à comprendre dans ses choix mais qui m’a néanmoins fortement convaincu de par sa force de caractère. Il faut dire que la vie lui réservera bien des surprises et qu’elle devra se battre afin de parvenir à se faire entendre en terre inconnue et dans un monde peu familier qui lui offrira la possibilité de bâtir la vie qu’elle mérite. Grâce à ce nouveau départ forcé, cette jeune mère de famille fera la connaissance de bien des personnages et tissera certaines amitiés mais c’est surtout l’amour qui guidera son cœur et ses nombreuses décisions tant personnelles que professionnelles. Les relations humaines sont d’ailleurs le cœur même de cette œuvre et j’ai été sensible à la merveilleuse et fine peinture esquissée par Di Morrissey. Sans être des plus profondes, les histoires de cœur et les moments de vie dévoilés ont répondu à mes attentes tout en parvenant à me toucher à certains moments de ma lecture du fait des sujets traités comme celui de la différence ethnique mais aussi sociale.
Enfin, Perles de Lune se veut une délicieuse lecture qui m’aura porté jusqu’au littoral Australien, le long de ses côtes aussi séduisantes que dangereuses. J’ai été ravi de découvrir de nouvelles contrées ainsi que de nouvelles coutumes et autres professions d’antan. Le tout bercé d’une intrigue alliant aventure et passion avec efficacité et sensibilité.
Cette lecture a été réalisée à l’occasion de mon partenariat avec les Editions de L’Archipel.
February 16, 2023
"Quand la déesse de la lune pleure, ses larmes tombent dans l'océan et donnent des perles"...
1995, Lily Barton vient de perdre sa mère. Elle sait peu de choses de sa vie, encore moins de ses origines et quand elle découvre la photographie d'un très bel homme dans les affaires de sa mère et, dans une aumônière en velours bleu un splendide collier de perles avec en son centre un pendentif en nacre arborant un symbole étrange...
Le portrait de cet homme est daté, 1910 Broome.
Les dés sont lancés, Lily va enfin pouvoir savoir d'où elle vient. Elle décide de partir à Broome et de mener son enquête. Les journaux intimes d'Olivia Hennessy lui révèlera qui était John Tyndall et ....
Di Morissey est née en Australie, a vécu longtemps aux U.S.A puis à Londres avant de revenir en Australie et de se consacrer à l'écriture. Aventure, contexte historique et folle histoire d'amour sont au rendez-vous.
Je referme ce roman mi-figue mi-raisin. Si j'ai beaucoup appris sur Broome , les maitres perliers, les aborigènes et leurs coutumes, je me suis vite lassée des péripéties de la vie amoureuse d'Olivia et de John.. Je pensais lire un roman d'aventure, pas un roman d'amour. avec un grand A .
Par contre, est fort bien posé le dilemme de Lily, elle est blanche, a une attitude politiquement correcte vis à vis des aborigènes, mais si ..
Un grand merci aux éditions de l'Archipel et Babelio pour ce partage lors de la dernière Masse critique
1995, Lily Barton vient de perdre sa mère. Elle sait peu de choses de sa vie, encore moins de ses origines et quand elle découvre la photographie d'un très bel homme dans les affaires de sa mère et, dans une aumônière en velours bleu un splendide collier de perles avec en son centre un pendentif en nacre arborant un symbole étrange...
Le portrait de cet homme est daté, 1910 Broome.
Les dés sont lancés, Lily va enfin pouvoir savoir d'où elle vient. Elle décide de partir à Broome et de mener son enquête. Les journaux intimes d'Olivia Hennessy lui révèlera qui était John Tyndall et ....
Di Morissey est née en Australie, a vécu longtemps aux U.S.A puis à Londres avant de revenir en Australie et de se consacrer à l'écriture. Aventure, contexte historique et folle histoire d'amour sont au rendez-vous.
Je referme ce roman mi-figue mi-raisin. Si j'ai beaucoup appris sur Broome , les maitres perliers, les aborigènes et leurs coutumes, je me suis vite lassée des péripéties de la vie amoureuse d'Olivia et de John.. Je pensais lire un roman d'aventure, pas un roman d'amour. avec un grand A .
Par contre, est fort bien posé le dilemme de Lily, elle est blanche, a une attitude politiquement correcte vis à vis des aborigènes, mais si ..
Un grand merci aux éditions de l'Archipel et Babelio pour ce partage lors de la dernière Masse critique
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