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A Distant Land
The enchanting Jingera trilogy concludes with a heart-rending story of love and the callous twists of fate. Back in 1958, nine-year-old Zidra Vincent met Jim Cadwallader for the first time. Thirteen years later, their bond of friendship - forged during a childhood in the beautiful coastal town of Jingera - is still strong. But is friendship all they dream of? Jim is now a respected war correspondent in Cambodia, though he has plans to come home for good because there is something very important he wants to say to Zidra. Zidra, meanwhile, is an ambitious reporter at the Sydney Morning Chronicle, and the seeds of a major story have just landed in her lap. Life is looking good, if only she could share it with the man who knows her best. Then, while at work in the newsroom one morning, Zidra catches sight of a wire service bulletin of a story out of Cambodia. The body of a Western journalist has been discovered near Phnom Penh and her world collapses around her ...
298 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2012
1 person is currently reading
65 people want to read
About the author
Alison Booth
9 books42 followersAlison Booth's sixth novel, The Painting, was published by RedDoor Press in July 2021. Set in Sydney and Cold War Budapest, The Painting is a compelling story of a traumatised young woman who confronts her family’s past in a quest for a stolen painting. See: https://www.alisonbooth.net/single-po... . Read early industry reviews here: https://www.alisonbooth.net/single-po...
Booth's fifth novel, The Philosopher's Daughters, takes place in1890s London and outback Australia. Published by RedDoor Press in April 2020, it has been described as 'wonderfully evocative' (The Canberra Times), 'a page-turner in the best sense' (Newtown Review of Books), and 'A beautifully immersive story celebrating a journey into the wonderful landscape of Australia with intriguing characters that wrestle with its wildness and their own self-discovery' (The Reading Desk).
Alison's fourth novel A Perfect Marriage, was published by RedDoor in March 2018. 'A cleverly-constructed story' (Sydney Morning Herald) of love, family and secrets, this domestic noir novel is structured tround dual timelines that represent 'an intricate plaiting of past and present that both tantalises and beguiles' (Marion Halligan).
Alison’s dazzling debut novel, the best-selling Stillwater Creek, is set in a beautiful NSW coastal village and is an unforgettable, heart-warming novel about love and loss, betrayal and hope. Published by Random House Australia in 2010, it was Highly Commended in the 2011 ACT Book of the Year Award. Her best-selling second book, The Indigo Sky - a bighearted tale of family and friendships - followed a year later. The enchanting Jingera trilogy concluded with the publication in June 2012 of A Distant Land, a heart-rending but life-affirming story of love and the callous twists of fate.
Born in Melbourne and brought up in Sydney Australia, Alison obtained her PhD from the London School of Economics. Until the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, she divided her time between the Australian National University and the UK. Over the years, she has published a number of short stories, as well as many academic journal articles and several nonfiction books.
Learn more about Alison Booth's fiction at: http://www.alisonbooth.net/ and about her academic work at: https://researchers.anu.edu.au/resear...
Booth's fifth novel, The Philosopher's Daughters, takes place in1890s London and outback Australia. Published by RedDoor Press in April 2020, it has been described as 'wonderfully evocative' (The Canberra Times), 'a page-turner in the best sense' (Newtown Review of Books), and 'A beautifully immersive story celebrating a journey into the wonderful landscape of Australia with intriguing characters that wrestle with its wildness and their own self-discovery' (The Reading Desk).
Alison's fourth novel A Perfect Marriage, was published by RedDoor in March 2018. 'A cleverly-constructed story' (Sydney Morning Herald) of love, family and secrets, this domestic noir novel is structured tround dual timelines that represent 'an intricate plaiting of past and present that both tantalises and beguiles' (Marion Halligan).
Alison’s dazzling debut novel, the best-selling Stillwater Creek, is set in a beautiful NSW coastal village and is an unforgettable, heart-warming novel about love and loss, betrayal and hope. Published by Random House Australia in 2010, it was Highly Commended in the 2011 ACT Book of the Year Award. Her best-selling second book, The Indigo Sky - a bighearted tale of family and friendships - followed a year later. The enchanting Jingera trilogy concluded with the publication in June 2012 of A Distant Land, a heart-rending but life-affirming story of love and the callous twists of fate.
Born in Melbourne and brought up in Sydney Australia, Alison obtained her PhD from the London School of Economics. Until the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, she divided her time between the Australian National University and the UK. Over the years, she has published a number of short stories, as well as many academic journal articles and several nonfiction books.
Learn more about Alison Booth's fiction at: http://www.alisonbooth.net/ and about her academic work at: https://researchers.anu.edu.au/resear...
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
August 22, 2012
After reading and very much enjoying Stillwater Creek and The Indigo Sky, I was really looking forward to this, the third and final instalment in the Jingera trilogy. It lived up to my expectations, even surpassed them. I loved it!
Zidra Vincent was just a child when her and her mother first moved to Jingera, where she met up with Lorna, and Jim Cadwallader, spending many happy hours with her new friends during and after school.
A Distant Land picks up a few years on, when Zidra is working in Sydney as a keen, hardworking reporter for the Sydney Morning Chronicle. Jim has been a respected war correspondent in Cambodia for some time, and plans to come back for good very soon. He’s been offered a position which he is sure he will accept, and he also misses his friendship with Zidra very much, even though they correspond frequently, plus his parents and brother.
With Lorna helping her out, Zidra is working on a major story, which will have implications in high up places, right through to the Government. There are a lot of dangers in what she is doing, and she is worried Lorna will get hurt. Her own safety isn’t a concern, as she thinks she can handle herself.
But suddenly, her focus shifts, her life is shattered, and her world collapses around her. The fog of horror, devastation and loss is on her, and she doesn't know how she will keep going!
If you haven’t read any of Alison Booth’s Jingera trilogy, I’d recommend starting from the first and reading through to the last….the descriptions of the Australian landscapes, the bush, the Sydney interest back in the 1950’s through to the early 1970’s is all fascinating.
Highly recommended.
Zidra Vincent was just a child when her and her mother first moved to Jingera, where she met up with Lorna, and Jim Cadwallader, spending many happy hours with her new friends during and after school.
A Distant Land picks up a few years on, when Zidra is working in Sydney as a keen, hardworking reporter for the Sydney Morning Chronicle. Jim has been a respected war correspondent in Cambodia for some time, and plans to come back for good very soon. He’s been offered a position which he is sure he will accept, and he also misses his friendship with Zidra very much, even though they correspond frequently, plus his parents and brother.
With Lorna helping her out, Zidra is working on a major story, which will have implications in high up places, right through to the Government. There are a lot of dangers in what she is doing, and she is worried Lorna will get hurt. Her own safety isn’t a concern, as she thinks she can handle herself.
But suddenly, her focus shifts, her life is shattered, and her world collapses around her. The fog of horror, devastation and loss is on her, and she doesn't know how she will keep going!
If you haven’t read any of Alison Booth’s Jingera trilogy, I’d recommend starting from the first and reading through to the last….the descriptions of the Australian landscapes, the bush, the Sydney interest back in the 1950’s through to the early 1970’s is all fascinating.
Highly recommended.
March 31, 2013
A fast-paced, moving and beautifully-written read. Great plot, characterization, and background in a captivating story of romance, intrigue and adventure.
The novel is set in the early 1970s and follows three main characters, all from the village of Jingera on the south coast of New South Wales. In Sydney, Zidra and Lorna get involved with moratorium marches and ASIO, while Jim, a war correspondent in Cambodia, experiences some unexpected action.
The characters each face moral challenges in a beautifully written story with a satisfying Jingera-based conclusion.
The novel is set in the early 1970s and follows three main characters, all from the village of Jingera on the south coast of New South Wales. In Sydney, Zidra and Lorna get involved with moratorium marches and ASIO, while Jim, a war correspondent in Cambodia, experiences some unexpected action.
The characters each face moral challenges in a beautifully written story with a satisfying Jingera-based conclusion.
August 2, 2012
I loved this book, especially the moving description of Zidra’s feelings after learning of the tragedy. Usually in novels these feelings are either skipped over or superficially conveyed. The author’s handling of this is the most realistic and sensitive that I’ve ever read. The book did finish on an upbeat note – good can come out of bad.
August 12, 2012
I read A Distant Land in one night. The story pulls you in right from the start. I learnt a lot about what was happening in Australia at the time but the historical background was never intrusive. The writing is beautiful and the story very moving.
June 18, 2013
While A Distant Land is the third book in Alison Booth's Jingera trilogy, it works surprisingly well as a stand alone novel. Here, the focus is on Zidria Vincent and Jim Cadwallader, childhood friends now in their mid 20's.
Zidria is an ambitious journalist for the Sydney Morning Chronicle and when her friend, aboriginal activist Lorna, approaches her about a policeman's threats and blackmail attempts, Zidria is intrigued by the potential of the story. Finally, here is the exciting investigative opportunity she has been craving.
Jim is a correspondent in Cambodia, but he has had enough of the war zone and plans to return to Australia and accept a position with the Human Rights Center at Sydney University. However a colleague's last minute crisis means Jim has to endure a few more weeks in Indochina, a fateful twist of chance that will change everything for him, and for Zidria.
Exploring the larger issues of human rights, civil liberties and antiwar sentiment, A Distant Land is an interesting and realistic portrait of the political and social unrest in 1970's Australia. While aboriginals were agitating for land rights and the 'commie' threat had the government on edge, the war raging in Vietnam was attracting growing protest. These issues provide fertile ground for Booth to weave a story of suspense as Zidria works to expose the corrupt practices of the government and ASIO.
Amongst the national and international issues, Booth also explores the personal implications of the conflicts such as fear, loss and grief. Though Lorna is concerned by the threats of physical harm if she refuses to cooperate with the police, she is more afraid of their threats against her young sister and when Jim goes missing in Cambodia and is presumed dead, his family and Zidria grieve deeply.
I thought perhaps the romantic element - the relationship between Jim and Zidria - got a little lost within the story, partially because they spend little time together but also because the reticence of both Jim and Zidria in confessing their feelings didn't seem to fit either their characters or their circumstances, though perhaps, had I read the previous two novels, it would have made more sense to me.
Regardless, I found A Distant Land to be a well crafted, interesting and enjoyable read. I found Zidria to be an appealing character and I particularly liked the era and the socio-political background in which the novel was set. I will definitely be keeping an eye out for the two previous novels in this trilogy, Stillwater Creek and The Indigo Sky.
June 3, 2012
This is the third novel in the trilogy that follows three main characters (Zidra Vincent, Lorna Hunter and Jim Cadwallader from their childhood in the small Australian coastal town of Jingera. Now it is 1971, they are in their twenties and Zidra and Jim are journalists amid the tumult of Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War. A compelling story of intrigue and adventure unfolds and keeps you turning the page. Jim is a correspondent in Cambodia chasing the action. In Sydney, Zidra and Lorna are drawn into a riddle involving the intelligence services. These are testing times and both face moral challenges which are nicely intertwined, and evocatively told, leading to a satisfying conclusion.
There some surprising twists and turns along the way as Booth builds both suspense and intrigue. Without giving away too much of the plot there is also a love interest that brings disappointment and elation.
Zidra and Lorna are both ambitious young women making their way in a changing world. The finely drawn contrast between Zidra’s struggle to established herself and Jim’s effortless progress emphasises the challenges face at that time by young women seeking a career. Looking through Zidra’s eyes we see through skilful narrative how she is buffeted by events happening around her and how this plays out in her relationships with Lorna, her mother and a mystery lover.
I have now read all three books and loved the writing and the stories in each of them. This last one comes full circle in highlighting how the different experiences of wartime leave their mark. The moral of the story is summed up by Jim’s comment: “War makes monsters and victims out of us all.”
A great read, thoroughly recommended: I hope there is another trilogy on the way!
There some surprising twists and turns along the way as Booth builds both suspense and intrigue. Without giving away too much of the plot there is also a love interest that brings disappointment and elation.
Zidra and Lorna are both ambitious young women making their way in a changing world. The finely drawn contrast between Zidra’s struggle to established herself and Jim’s effortless progress emphasises the challenges face at that time by young women seeking a career. Looking through Zidra’s eyes we see through skilful narrative how she is buffeted by events happening around her and how this plays out in her relationships with Lorna, her mother and a mystery lover.
I have now read all three books and loved the writing and the stories in each of them. This last one comes full circle in highlighting how the different experiences of wartime leave their mark. The moral of the story is summed up by Jim’s comment: “War makes monsters and victims out of us all.”
A great read, thoroughly recommended: I hope there is another trilogy on the way!
August 23, 2012
‘Her memories of these places would survive as long as she did.’
‘A Distant Land’ is the third book in Alison Booth’s Jingera Trilogy, which opened in 1957 when widowed Latvian concentration camp survivor Ilona Talivadis, and her nine year old daughter Zidra arrived in Jingera (a fictional town on the New South Wales south coast) in order to start a new life.
By 1971 when ‘A Distant Land’ opens, Zidra, her friends Jim Cadwallader and Lorna Hunter have all grown up and are still very close. Zidra has become an investigative journalist on a Sydney newspaper, Jim is a war correspondent in Cambodia and Lorna is a university student and political activist in Sydney - where she is being watched by Australian security. During an anti-war demonstration, Zidra sees a man with an expensive camera photographing Lorna. Unravelling this story will make Zidra’s career. But will Jim and Zidra ever have an opportunity to be together?
Each of the three books in the trilogy contains messages about discrimination based on gender and race. In ‘A Distant Land’, the focus is on civil liberties, human rights and war. Zidra, Jim and Lorna have moved beyond Jingera: they are each focussed on both national and international issues at a time when Australia’s involvement in the war in Vietnam was an increasingly divisive issue domestically.
There are a number of twists and turns within the story, some more obvious than others. Zidra’s investigation into corruption and particularly Jim’s ordeal in Indochina kept me turning the pages. I’ve enjoyed this trilogy, and am sad to see it close. I’m looking forward to Ms Booth’s next book.
‘War makes monsters and victims out of us all.’
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
‘A Distant Land’ is the third book in Alison Booth’s Jingera Trilogy, which opened in 1957 when widowed Latvian concentration camp survivor Ilona Talivadis, and her nine year old daughter Zidra arrived in Jingera (a fictional town on the New South Wales south coast) in order to start a new life.
By 1971 when ‘A Distant Land’ opens, Zidra, her friends Jim Cadwallader and Lorna Hunter have all grown up and are still very close. Zidra has become an investigative journalist on a Sydney newspaper, Jim is a war correspondent in Cambodia and Lorna is a university student and political activist in Sydney - where she is being watched by Australian security. During an anti-war demonstration, Zidra sees a man with an expensive camera photographing Lorna. Unravelling this story will make Zidra’s career. But will Jim and Zidra ever have an opportunity to be together?
Each of the three books in the trilogy contains messages about discrimination based on gender and race. In ‘A Distant Land’, the focus is on civil liberties, human rights and war. Zidra, Jim and Lorna have moved beyond Jingera: they are each focussed on both national and international issues at a time when Australia’s involvement in the war in Vietnam was an increasingly divisive issue domestically.
There are a number of twists and turns within the story, some more obvious than others. Zidra’s investigation into corruption and particularly Jim’s ordeal in Indochina kept me turning the pages. I’ve enjoyed this trilogy, and am sad to see it close. I’m looking forward to Ms Booth’s next book.
‘War makes monsters and victims out of us all.’
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
July 22, 2012
A Distant Land is the final volume of the Jingera trilogy, but can be read as a stand-alone work. It follows the stories of Zidra Vincent and Jim Cadwallader, two journalists working in Sydney and Cambodia respectively, and how some moments can change your world. It's out now through Random House.
Sky interviewed Alison Booth about A Distant Land, the effect of the Vietnam war on Australian society and the challenges of exploring grief in writing. Originally broadcast on 19 July 2012.
Sky interviewed Alison Booth about A Distant Land, the effect of the Vietnam war on Australian society and the challenges of exploring grief in writing. Originally broadcast on 19 July 2012.
April 30, 2020
A fitting ending to a magnificent trilogy. I enjoyed this look at the early 70s, and the issues of the time. I loved the characters, and enjoyed how they grew and emerged.
October 18, 2021
A good finish to the trilogy. Well developed story and characters, with interesting perspective on the Vietnam war.
January 5, 2016
This is the last of the Jingera trilogy, set on the NSW south coast. Stillwater Creek was set in the late 1950s, and The Indigo Sky in the sixties These novels saw the characters Jim, Zidra and Lorna growing up. Now they are adults, involved in the Vietnam war as either journalists or protesters. This is a predictable novel but interesting in its historical and social context (including abuses of human rights by ASIO). I got what I expected with this novel – interest and enjoyment without any edge or deep involvement.
August 2, 2012
A Distant Land is an absorbing and passionate read, with brilliant characterization. Booth certainly has a way with words. I won’t spell out the plot because it contains a few twists and turns that take you by surprise. Suffice it to say that the blurb on the back of the book is right: it is a “story of enduring love and the devastating twists of fate’.
September 3, 2016
A wonderful ending to the 'Jingera' series. This third book really packed a punch and was just as good as the first (the middle one not as good as its bookends). Very sad to say goodbye to these lovely characters.
June 23, 2016
Good story - brought back memories of the early '70s.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews