The Colonists

The Australians #6

by William Stuart Long

For three tumultuous generations they had struggled to harness an alien wilderness, to lay the bold foundation for their dreams. But now, just as a radiant future beckons, they are menaced by distant powers hungry to seize what they have so bitterly won. As the new generation comes into its own, some, like Lucy Van Buren, live drugged by lavish splendor. Others, like Michael Dean, carry on the invincible pioneer spirit. And still the newcomers arrive, burning with unbridled passions and dark desires. Men like Robert Willoughby, fleeing disgrace, headed for disaster, women like Alice Fairweather, willing to risk everything for a cause. Together, as lovers and ememies, they must battle to forge the glorious destiny that is rightfully theirs. Once outcasts, they are now.... The Colonists.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Australia, Fiction, Historical

496 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1984

About the author

Violet Vivian Finlay was born on 2 January 1914 in Berkshire, England, UK, the daughter of Alice Kathleen (née Norton) and Sir Campbell Kirkman Finlay. Her father was the owner and director of Burmah Oil Company Ltd., whose Scottish family also owned James Finlay and Company Ltd. The majority of her childhood and youth was spent in Rangoon, Burma (now also known as Myanmar), where her father worked. During her life, she frequently journeyed between India, Singapore, Java and Sumatra.

Although Vivian is well-known by the surname of Stuart, she married four times during her lifetime, and had five children: Gillian Rushton (née Porch), Kim Santow, Jennifer Gooch (née Stuart), and twins Vary and Valerie Stuart.

Following the dissolution of her first marriage, she studied for a time Law in London in the mid 1930s, before decided studied Medicine at the University of London. Later she spent time in Hungary in the capacity of private tutor in English, while she obtained a pathologist qualification at the University of Budapest in 1938. In 1939, she emigrated to Australia with her second husband, a Hungarian Doctor Geza Santow with whom she worked. In 1942, she obtained a diploma in industrial chemistry and laboratory technique at Technical Institute of Newcastle. Having earned an ambulance driver's certificate, she joined the Australian Forces at the Women's Auxiliary Service during World War II. She was attached to the IVth Army, and raised to the rank of sergeant, she was posted to British XIV Army in Rangoon, Burma in October 1945, and was then transferred to Sumatra in December. After the WWII, she returned to England. On 24 October 1958, she married her fourth and last husband, Cyril William Mann, a bank manager.

She was a prolific writer from 1953 to 1986 under diferent pseudonyms: Vivian Stuart, Alex Stuart, Barbara Allen, Fiona Finlay, V. A. Stuart, William Stuart Long and Robyn Stuart. Many of her novels were protagonized by doctors or nurses, and set in Asia, Australia or other places she had visited. Her romance novel, Gay Cavalier published in 1955 as Alex Stuart got her into trouble with her Mills & Boon editors when she featured a secondary story line featuring a Catholic male and Protestant female who chose to marry. This so-called "mixed marriage" touched nerves in the United Kingdom.

In 1960, she was a founder of the Romantic Novelists' Association, along with Denise Robins, Barbara Cartland, and others; she was elected the first Chairman (1961-1963). In 1970, she became the first woman to chair Swanwick Writers' Summer School.

Violet Vivian Finlay Porch Santow Stuart Mann passed away on August 1986 in Yorkshire, at age 72. She continued writing until her death.

Reviews

[Debi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m loving my second reading of this magnificent series.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dry and droll for the main part of it. The constant rehashing of the historical figures was tedious and annoyed me, characters would speak about it even though only a few pages prior someone else had already gabbed on about the situation!
I have found over the past 6 books the writing to have become predictable. I am so over the characters having a thought and then they get 'interrupted' and the character is moved onto reality. I found it annoying how many of the characters would say, "blah blah blah...what's his name again? Oh, yes, blah blah blah...." obviously you just insert a name rather than what I wrote, ha ha. Drove me nuts!

However! the one redeeming factor was the story of the fictionalised people in this was becoming interesting and far more like a drama than a damned history lesson. A little too contrite at times but it was a good read toward the end.
Onto the next book which I doubt I will finish before the end of 2024 as it is now 24 December, and I had promised myself to read as many of my series books as I could before this year closes.

[Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm all in for this historical fictions books about the founding and settlement of Australia by European. A great read, but do start at the beginning.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

My fave in the series so far.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rather complicated string of characters and actions, politics, and such, but definitely interesting.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Australian saga is famous. But it is hard to find, the books are no longer published. I had to read it on line on Open library.

[D.A. Cairns · Rating 4 out of 5]

Volume 6 in the Australian Series was stronger than the previous book in my view.I liked the new characters even the villains like Lucy Van Buren. Such a bitter woman. I loved the way the new preacher found his bride and I really hope things continue to go well for them. Justin and Jessica's children are growing up and Red looks likely to follow his father to the sea. These are all really nice families and stories apart from the Van Burens who are quite unlikeable. The reader feels great empathy for the servants at the Van Buren household especially Claus who is treated terribly though he is Van Buren's son. I really enjoyed this one, riding the highs and lows of the Australians.

[Jill Holmes · Rating 3 out of 5]

This fascinating episode of "The Australians" series sees persons from other countries beginning to recognize Australia as a new land with a bold and promising future. It also sees Australians looking beyond their island continent to neighboring islands for colonization, wealth, and new possibilities. This is a marvelous series that brims with history and great characters. If the reader doesn't fall in love with one of those two is likely to love the other or, simply, to admire Australia itself all the more.

[Athol-mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brings history alive

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful story! This is historical fiction at it's best - mostly historical but made exciting with the introduction of characters to move with the history.

[Andrea Michaels · Rating 5 out of 5]

Part of The Australians. History lovers unite!