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Gordon #2
A Changing Land
The sequel to The Bark Cutters, full of romance, tragedy, family secrets, and misunderstandings.
Past and present interweave in the continuing legacy of the Gordon family. It's the early 19th Century and Hamish Gordon has a massive rural holding built on stock theft and is determined to ensure that his son and heir, Angus, will inherit an enlarged property. Embarking on a final stage of land acquisition, a ruthless plan to buy out his neighbours, Hamish's actions nearly destroy Wangallon and have serious repercussions for generations to come. Luke, Hamish's eldest surviving son from his first marriage is a wild man, at odds with civilized society. Deeply affected by the untimely deaths of his siblings and mother some 30 years earlier, he feels deserted. His unrequited love for his young stepmother leads him to choose a life as Wangallon's Boss drover, an existence which keeps him away from the property most of the year. When Luke learns that his father has engineered events to keep him on the property he must choose between a chance at a new life and the protection of the only home he has ever known. In 1989 two years after the death of family patriarch Angus Gordon, Sarah Gordon now runs Wangallon with the assistance of her fiancé, Anthony. Their relationship begins to deteriorate when a power struggle develops between them. Sarah's problems escalate with the arrival of her Scottish half-brother, Jim Macken who is intent on receiving the inheritance bequeathed to him by Angus Gordon. Unable to buy Jim out and with the possibility of losing one third of Wangallon, Sarah finds herself fighting the law, her half-brother and Anthony. She has the same unescapable Gordon qualities that will ensure both and her Wangallon's survival—but will it be at the expense of her happiness?
Past and present interweave in the continuing legacy of the Gordon family. It's the early 19th Century and Hamish Gordon has a massive rural holding built on stock theft and is determined to ensure that his son and heir, Angus, will inherit an enlarged property. Embarking on a final stage of land acquisition, a ruthless plan to buy out his neighbours, Hamish's actions nearly destroy Wangallon and have serious repercussions for generations to come. Luke, Hamish's eldest surviving son from his first marriage is a wild man, at odds with civilized society. Deeply affected by the untimely deaths of his siblings and mother some 30 years earlier, he feels deserted. His unrequited love for his young stepmother leads him to choose a life as Wangallon's Boss drover, an existence which keeps him away from the property most of the year. When Luke learns that his father has engineered events to keep him on the property he must choose between a chance at a new life and the protection of the only home he has ever known. In 1989 two years after the death of family patriarch Angus Gordon, Sarah Gordon now runs Wangallon with the assistance of her fiancé, Anthony. Their relationship begins to deteriorate when a power struggle develops between them. Sarah's problems escalate with the arrival of her Scottish half-brother, Jim Macken who is intent on receiving the inheritance bequeathed to him by Angus Gordon. Unable to buy Jim out and with the possibility of losing one third of Wangallon, Sarah finds herself fighting the law, her half-brother and Anthony. She has the same unescapable Gordon qualities that will ensure both and her Wangallon's survival—but will it be at the expense of her happiness?
288 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2011
30 people are currently reading
218 people want to read
About the author
Nicole Alexander
36 books189 followersNicole Alexander is the author of eleven novels: The Bark Cutters, A Changing Land, Absolution Creek, Sunset Ridge, The Great Plains, Wild Lands, River Run, An Uncommon Woman, Stone Country, The Cedar Tree and The Last Station.
The Limestone Road will be published March 2025.
Awards: The Bark Cutters - short-listed for an Australian Book Industry Award.
Non-fiction includes;
Poetry: Divertissements: Love. War. Society. - a Anthologies: Dear Mum / Great Australian Writers
Nicole lives in north-west NSW, Australia
The Limestone Road will be published March 2025.
Awards: The Bark Cutters - short-listed for an Australian Book Industry Award.
Non-fiction includes;
Poetry: Divertissements: Love. War. Society. - a Anthologies: Dear Mum / Great Australian Writers
Nicole lives in north-west NSW, Australia
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
January 26, 2018
4.5 stars
Such a fantastic sequel and conclusion to The Bark Cutters. The story of Hamish Gordon and his great granddaughter Sarah Gordon continues in this dual time period tale, switching back and forth between 1908 to 1989.
In the beginning chapters I was a little unsure that a sequel was a good idea as the storyline was a little uneventful thinking will this lead to anything and boy, what a great surprise was in store for me, this thoroughly enjoyable saga was packed with drama and plenty of twists and turns that kept me interested until the last page. The authors description of the land is captivating. Loved this book so much. Huge fan of Nicole Alexander now.
#book ‘a’ of the a-z author challenge 2018
Such a fantastic sequel and conclusion to The Bark Cutters. The story of Hamish Gordon and his great granddaughter Sarah Gordon continues in this dual time period tale, switching back and forth between 1908 to 1989.
In the beginning chapters I was a little unsure that a sequel was a good idea as the storyline was a little uneventful thinking will this lead to anything and boy, what a great surprise was in store for me, this thoroughly enjoyable saga was packed with drama and plenty of twists and turns that kept me interested until the last page. The authors description of the land is captivating. Loved this book so much. Huge fan of Nicole Alexander now.
#book ‘a’ of the a-z author challenge 2018
August 1, 2024
An ongoing saga about the Gordon patriarch holding on to the land he loved and only passing it on to his son and heir, and in turn to Sarah his great granddaughter.
First though Sarah learns of a half- brother, who wants his share of the place and Sarah has a fight on her hands
First though Sarah learns of a half- brother, who wants his share of the place and Sarah has a fight on her hands
May 24, 2020
I couldn't finish this book, I only got up to about 80 pages. While it seems on the surface to be competently plotted and written, there were just too many instances of character's reactions that just didn't play. They jarred with their inconsistency. For example the heroine rides her quad bike at great speed, enjoying the thrill - but this is someone who grew up on a station and one would think would have respect for dangerous machines. Quad bikes are dangerous and can and do kill even experienced riders. I just can't see an experienced station person ignoring all safety and riding it at speed. Farm people I know don't do that sort of thing, only the young and stupid male ones, before they grow up. So to me this sort of description might play to city folk who wouldn't know, but to me it is doubtful - it just doesn't play.
I also found the characters to be superficial and largely difficult to believe. People in this book get painted with a characteristic and seem unable to be able to behave outside that characteristic. Anthony, the domineering husband, always has to dominate, the brutal overseer always has to be brutal. The town whore (yes, there's a town whore in a town of 5 houses) just has to be completely amoral and apparently willing to take on anyone for tuppence. In my experience most people are complex. This approach may help Wlibur Smith sell his turgid blockbusters, but not to me, and similarly I found this book to be pretty much of this class.
I also found the geography where Wangallon station was located confusing. There were thick forests but also irrigation ditches - in my experience land like this is kind of rare in Australia.
I understand the heroine's frustration - the heroine set in the later of the two time periods. This seemed to be a largerly autobiographical heroine, one who was not taken seriously as a farm manager just because she was a woman. Does this sort of thing still happen? Maybe it was common in the 1980's but I see plenty of reports these days of women competently managing significant enterprises, including big banks and sheep stations.
It occurred to me that this book was possibly chick-lit, something that would appeal to women, but maybe I am being too harsh.
I also found the characters to be superficial and largely difficult to believe. People in this book get painted with a characteristic and seem unable to be able to behave outside that characteristic. Anthony, the domineering husband, always has to dominate, the brutal overseer always has to be brutal. The town whore (yes, there's a town whore in a town of 5 houses) just has to be completely amoral and apparently willing to take on anyone for tuppence. In my experience most people are complex. This approach may help Wlibur Smith sell his turgid blockbusters, but not to me, and similarly I found this book to be pretty much of this class.
I also found the geography where Wangallon station was located confusing. There were thick forests but also irrigation ditches - in my experience land like this is kind of rare in Australia.
I understand the heroine's frustration - the heroine set in the later of the two time periods. This seemed to be a largerly autobiographical heroine, one who was not taken seriously as a farm manager just because she was a woman. Does this sort of thing still happen? Maybe it was common in the 1980's but I see plenty of reports these days of women competently managing significant enterprises, including big banks and sheep stations.
It occurred to me that this book was possibly chick-lit, something that would appeal to women, but maybe I am being too harsh.
June 7, 2011
A great sequel to 'The Bark Cutters' with a satisfying ending :)
January 5, 2013
Great book. Couldn't put it down. Loved how she wove past/present together Look forward to more by this author
September 21, 2025
The sequel to The Bark Cutters, full of romance, tragedy, family secrets, and misunderstandings.
Past and present interweave in the continuing legacy of the Gordon family. It's the early 19th Century and Hamish Gordon has a massive rural holding built on stock theft and is determined to ensure that his son and heir, Angus, will inherit an enlarged property. Embarking on a final stage of land acquisition, a ruthless plan to buy out his neighbours, Hamish's actions nearly destroy Wangallon and have serious repercussions for generations to come. Luke, Hamish's eldest surviving son from his first marriage is a wild man, at odds with civilized society. Deeply affected by the untimely deaths of his siblings and mother some 30 years earlier, he feels deserted. His unrequited love for his young stepmother leads him to choose a life as Wangallon's Boss drover, an existence which keeps him away from the property most of the year. When Luke learns that his father has engineered events to keep him on the property he must choose between a chance at a new life and the protection of the only home he has ever known. In 1989 two years after the death of family patriarch Angus Gordon, Sarah Gordon now runs Wangallon with the assistance of her fiancé, Anthony. Their relationship begins to deteriorate when a power struggle develops between them. Sarah's problems escalate with the arrival of her Scottish half-brother, Jim Macken who is intent on receiving the inheritance bequeathed to him by Angus Gordon. Unable to buy Jim out and with the possibility of losing one third of Wangallon, Sarah finds herself fighting the law, her half-brother and Anthony. She has the same unescapable Gordon qualities that will ensure both and her Wangallon's survival—but will it be at the expense of her happiness?
Past and present interweave in the continuing legacy of the Gordon family. It's the early 19th Century and Hamish Gordon has a massive rural holding built on stock theft and is determined to ensure that his son and heir, Angus, will inherit an enlarged property. Embarking on a final stage of land acquisition, a ruthless plan to buy out his neighbours, Hamish's actions nearly destroy Wangallon and have serious repercussions for generations to come. Luke, Hamish's eldest surviving son from his first marriage is a wild man, at odds with civilized society. Deeply affected by the untimely deaths of his siblings and mother some 30 years earlier, he feels deserted. His unrequited love for his young stepmother leads him to choose a life as Wangallon's Boss drover, an existence which keeps him away from the property most of the year. When Luke learns that his father has engineered events to keep him on the property he must choose between a chance at a new life and the protection of the only home he has ever known. In 1989 two years after the death of family patriarch Angus Gordon, Sarah Gordon now runs Wangallon with the assistance of her fiancé, Anthony. Their relationship begins to deteriorate when a power struggle develops between them. Sarah's problems escalate with the arrival of her Scottish half-brother, Jim Macken who is intent on receiving the inheritance bequeathed to him by Angus Gordon. Unable to buy Jim out and with the possibility of losing one third of Wangallon, Sarah finds herself fighting the law, her half-brother and Anthony. She has the same unescapable Gordon qualities that will ensure both and her Wangallon's survival—but will it be at the expense of her happiness?
June 9, 2019
This is the sequel to The Bark Cutters and I have to admit to liking this second book more than the first. I found the flashbacks between past and present really hard to grasp a lot of the time in the first book, but this time around it all seemed to flow so much more easily. The content of the flashbacks between past and present were more in sync in this sequel in that the events being spoken of in the past, related specifically the events happening in the present time.
September 2, 2019
I enjoyed this second instalment of the Gordon family on Wangallon. It was a good insight to how things were done during the three different generations of the Gordon family to keep and protect their beloved land. Sometimes they were ruthless, manipulative, and even went against the law. They paid heavy prices along the way and even their own life to protect what was theirs!
May 22, 2020
Even better. Love this sequel.
January 24, 2022
I feel like it rambled a little but it was a good continuation of "Bark Cutters" and wrapped the saga up nicely. Worth reading.
February 4, 2023
This seemed long, but I finally finished it. Wonderful writing, land descriptions & characters that get under you skin.
Very enjoyable. A good finish to the saga.
Very enjoyable. A good finish to the saga.
March 20, 2017
A great follow on from The Bark Cutters and the subsequent years following. A great read.
June 12, 2014
This book was just weird. First of all, I think the editor totally blew this job. One major character had a name change between books, some of the family's historical stuff got muddled and there were a few other inconsistencies that just niggled. In addition, the romance that got sorted in the previous book went sideways, apparently just for dramatic effect. The introduction of a possible half brother in the previous book turned into a major debacle, especially when it turned out his mother lied about who his father was and killed herself after it was found out. Then the important guy had a motorbike accident and was only found just in time, but we don't know that until almost the last page, even though we do know that his girlfriend is pregnant and it's his baby. For some reason he was just left in limbo for 40 pages or so while other loose ends were tied up. Then, the book ends, leaving him in traction or something in a hospital very far from home. It was all just crazy. Meh.
January 6, 2023
As the sequel to The Bark Cutters, this book develops more of the complex characters, in particular Sarah who is having difficulty accepting her passion and love for the family cattle station, Wangallon. Her love for Anthony becomes overshadowed by the terms of her grandfathers Will and her discovery of a half brother in Scotland who wants his inheritance.
The story is well crafted with many twists and turns but moves at a slow pace until the conclusion.
The characters are all somewhat shallow and this made it difficult to empathise with anyone. However, in the tradition of a fine family saga, all turns out well in the end with a fitting conclusion.
Available: Amazon, Google Play, Fishpond
The story is well crafted with many twists and turns but moves at a slow pace until the conclusion.
The characters are all somewhat shallow and this made it difficult to empathise with anyone. However, in the tradition of a fine family saga, all turns out well in the end with a fitting conclusion.
Available: Amazon, Google Play, Fishpond
February 4, 2015
This book was certainly a page turner for sure. I enjoyed The Bark Cutters and this was a continuation of that story. I was disappointed that the relationships that seemed so amiable in the first book were not the same in the sequel. The characters that i loved in the first were so shallow in this one but never the less I found myself unable to put the book down. I think you have to read them in order to really understand the story line though.
May 18, 2014
I read this knowing it was the second book, but I grabbed it as it was the only one in the library on the day! I enjoyed it, but did find it a little hard going at the beginning - probably because I hadn't read the first book in the series, AND because it was my first 'bush' book - not something I've ever read before. By the second half, I was really in to it, and the last quarter was unputdownable - absolutely thrilling in conclusion. I will be getting the first book as soon as I can!
September 4, 2018
Carrying on from The Bark Cutters but would be just as good on its own. After her grandfather's death Sarah finds she has a third share of Wangallon Station. Anthony, 'the jackaroo' is by her side most of the time. The story jumps from 1908 to 1989, then at the end 1990. I hope this isn't the absolute end. Nicole Alexander has an incredible way of describing everything, including two dogs chewing on dog biscuits, the way the sky changes colour, everything. I love her books!
March 1, 2016
Thoroughly enjoyable follow on from The Bark Cutters, a family saga with Scottish heritage along with the early settlement of Australia, through to the late 20th century. Nicole Alexander has woven the story of early settlement with the current generation surviving the hardships of rural life. Most enjoyable.
October 23, 2016
I had trouble getting into the first half of this book following on from the Bark cutters. It wasn't satisfying until a mystery started to unfold just past halfway. Then I was hooked. I was intrigued about a twist at the end, it wasn't explained very well.
April 30, 2017
A time slip style narrative about a family's history and connection with a farming land. Kinda not a huge fan of NA - yikes! But want to read more Australiana. Have just started in the new role of Outreach Services at work :)
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January 22, 2015A good Australiana storyline spanning 100 years and easy to read.
August 6, 2015
Follows on From The Bark Cutters. Good Book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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April 14, 2017If I had not already had this in my bookshelf, I'm not sure I would have bothered with this. There were parts I found interesting, but some aspects were such that I could not really enjoy it. A main difficulty was the dizzyingly rapid switches between time periods. I generally enjoy "back then" and "now" books, but there was no time to sink into a period without being flipped back to the other - often what felt like from chapter to chapter. Yes, there were parallels that needed to be (or could be) highlighted in this way, but I felt like I was getting whiplash. Then, so many of the characters were so not appealing or pleasant or... as I often say, the kind of people I'd want to spend any time with. I hope not to provide spoilers, but if you're worried, stop reading this now.
Jim and Sarah were friends, and then she treats him like a rabid dog, before even meeting up with him. Anthony stops communicating, Matt is weirdly mysterious, not to mention the characters from "back then". Even Claire, who seemed to be something of a keeper, is no longer up to the challenge of Hamish, despite promising signs in the first book. The final (happy?) resolution is so rushed that you barely have time to register that Anthony has somehow survived and then the story ends. Did we get to the required word count or what? It would have been nice to actually witness a reconciliation, rather than be left to assume it took place after Sarah and Anthony accepted where their hearts lay. I received this as a gift, so I am grateful for that, and sometimes it's fun to be able to have a bit of a chew, rather than just another smooth pudding.
Jim and Sarah were friends, and then she treats him like a rabid dog, before even meeting up with him. Anthony stops communicating, Matt is weirdly mysterious, not to mention the characters from "back then". Even Claire, who seemed to be something of a keeper, is no longer up to the challenge of Hamish, despite promising signs in the first book. The final (happy?) resolution is so rushed that you barely have time to register that Anthony has somehow survived and then the story ends. Did we get to the required word count or what? It would have been nice to actually witness a reconciliation, rather than be left to assume it took place after Sarah and Anthony accepted where their hearts lay. I received this as a gift, so I am grateful for that, and sometimes it's fun to be able to have a bit of a chew, rather than just another smooth pudding.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews