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Elianne
In the tough world of Queensland sugar mills, it's not only cane that is crushed ...
In 1881 ‘Big Jim' Durham, an English soldier of fortune and profiteer, ruthlessly creates for Elianne Desmarais, his young French wife, the finest of the great sugar mills of the Southern Queensland cane fields, and names it in her honour.
The massive estate becomes a self-sufficient fortress, a cane-consuming monster and home to hundreds of workers, but ‘Elianne' and its masters, the Durham Family, have dark and distant secrets; secrets that surface in the wildest and most inflammatory of times, the 1960s.
For Kate Durham and her brothers Neil and Alan, freedom is the catchword of the decade.Young Australians leap to the barricades of the social revolution. Rock ‘n' roll, the Pill, the Vietnam War, the rise of Feminism, Asian immigration and the Freedom Ride join forces to rattle the chains of traditional values.
The workers leave the great sugar estates as mechanisation lessens the need for labour. And the Durham family, its secrets exposed, begins its fall from grace...
In 1881 ‘Big Jim' Durham, an English soldier of fortune and profiteer, ruthlessly creates for Elianne Desmarais, his young French wife, the finest of the great sugar mills of the Southern Queensland cane fields, and names it in her honour.
The massive estate becomes a self-sufficient fortress, a cane-consuming monster and home to hundreds of workers, but ‘Elianne' and its masters, the Durham Family, have dark and distant secrets; secrets that surface in the wildest and most inflammatory of times, the 1960s.
For Kate Durham and her brothers Neil and Alan, freedom is the catchword of the decade.Young Australians leap to the barricades of the social revolution. Rock ‘n' roll, the Pill, the Vietnam War, the rise of Feminism, Asian immigration and the Freedom Ride join forces to rattle the chains of traditional values.
The workers leave the great sugar estates as mechanisation lessens the need for labour. And the Durham family, its secrets exposed, begins its fall from grace...
576 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2013
91 people are currently reading
810 people want to read
About the author
Judy Nunn
48 books336 followersJudy Nunn (born 13 April 1945) is an Australian actress and author.
Judy Nunn's career has been long, illustrious and multifaceted. After combining her internationally successful acting career with scriptwriting for television and radio, Judy decided in the 80s to turn her hand to prose. The result was two adventure novels for children, EYE IN THE STORM and EYE IN THE CITY, which remain extremely popular, not only in Australia but in Europe. Embarking on adult fiction in the early 90s, Judy's three novels, THE GLITTER GAME, CENTRE STAGE and ARALUEN, set respectively in the worlds of television, theatre and film, became instant bestsellers. Her subsequent bestsellers, KAL, BENEATH THE SOUTHERN CROSS, TERRITORY, PACIFIC, HERITAGE and FLOODTIDE confirm her position as one of Australia’s leading popular novelists.
Judy Nunn's career has been long, illustrious and multifaceted. After combining her internationally successful acting career with scriptwriting for television and radio, Judy decided in the 80s to turn her hand to prose. The result was two adventure novels for children, EYE IN THE STORM and EYE IN THE CITY, which remain extremely popular, not only in Australia but in Europe. Embarking on adult fiction in the early 90s, Judy's three novels, THE GLITTER GAME, CENTRE STAGE and ARALUEN, set respectively in the worlds of television, theatre and film, became instant bestsellers. Her subsequent bestsellers, KAL, BENEATH THE SOUTHERN CROSS, TERRITORY, PACIFIC, HERITAGE and FLOODTIDE confirm her position as one of Australia’s leading popular novelists.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 134 reviews
February 6, 2017
3.5 stars
A great family saga set against the backdrop of the magnificent sugar plantations in Queensland. Elianne also offers a historical study of Australia's involvement in the Vietnam War and the White Australia policy. A solid read but not one of my favourite Judy Nunn novels.
A great family saga set against the backdrop of the magnificent sugar plantations in Queensland. Elianne also offers a historical study of Australia's involvement in the Vietnam War and the White Australia policy. A solid read but not one of my favourite Judy Nunn novels.
May 27, 2025
4.5 ⭐️s
A wonderful and gripping tale set amid the cane fields in the Bundaberg, Queensland area in the 1960s.
This book incorporates a fair amount of Australian history and contains events such as The White Australia policy, aboriginal rights referendum, racism, to name a few.
I enjoyed the dual timeline as I usually do. Both past and present were intriguing, but man, some of the characters were arseholes, specifically, two male characters, they were tough old bastards.
Yes, another thrilling read by Judy Nunn.
Audiobook via BorrowBox
Published by: Bolinda audio
Read by Jane Nolan
Duration: 16 hrs, 32 min. 1.25x Speed
A wonderful and gripping tale set amid the cane fields in the Bundaberg, Queensland area in the 1960s.
This book incorporates a fair amount of Australian history and contains events such as The White Australia policy, aboriginal rights referendum, racism, to name a few.
I enjoyed the dual timeline as I usually do. Both past and present were intriguing, but man, some of the characters were arseholes, specifically, two male characters, they were tough old bastards.
Yes, another thrilling read by Judy Nunn.
Audiobook via BorrowBox
Published by: Bolinda audio
Read by Jane Nolan
Duration: 16 hrs, 32 min. 1.25x Speed
October 31, 2015
When young Elianne Desmarais was being courted by Jim Durham, she was excited to realize Jim would remove her from her father’s plantation. Her father was a drunk and since his wife, Ellie’s mother, had died, his debt had multiplied to such an extent that he would probably lose the property. So when Jim requested Elianne’s hand in marriage, an agreement was reached – Jim subsequently paid off that debt in exchange for Ellie.
After their marriage, “Big Jim” and Ellie travelled to Australia where they settled in Queensland, near Bundeburg. The estate, which housed a massive sugar mill, gradually became one of the most successful in the area – “Big Jim” named it Elianne in honour of his beautiful French wife whom he loved to distraction. The 1880s was a time when the Kanakas (Pacific Island workers) came to Australia in droves to work in the sugar cane industry, and Elianne was no different – there were literally hundreds of these hard working families living and working for “Big Jim”.
The Christmas of 1964 saw Kate and her brothers, Neil and Alan, back at Elianne with their father, Stanley Durham and mother Hilda. Christmas was a family tradition which had been carried on for generations, and Stan was a man who had followed in his Grandfather’s footsteps – he idolised “Big Jim”, but had no time for his own father, Bartholomew.
On learning that their father was going to demolish the stately old homestead, the original which “Big Jim” had built for his bride, Kate had discovered a trunk full of beautifully kept books, books which Grandmother Ellie had obviously loved. But underneath those books, Kate discovered ledgers, and within the writings of the ledgers she learned her grandmother had written her diary – all in French.
That day was to mark the beginning of the deep and massive change to the Durham family. The secrets from the past were about to emerge into the turmoil of a country which was embroiled in the Vietnam War, the White Australia Policy, politics and freedom of speech, the pill and rock’n’roll! What would happen to Kate’s family? What would happen to a family which had survived for generations, supported families for generations, and had been one of Queensland’s biggest and most honourable of names within the industry for as long as anyone could remember?
I absolutely loved this book! The history, the depth, the weaving of the characters; all set a fantastic stage in a book which went with ease from Kate’s time in the 1960s to Ellie’s time in the 1880s. This is a story of love, family, lies and secrets, a story of ownership and possession, a story of success and ultimate failure. But overall it is a story which will blow you away with the enjoyment of the pages. A book I have no hesitation in recommending highly.
With thanks to NetGalley, The Reading Room and the publisher for my copy to read and review.
After their marriage, “Big Jim” and Ellie travelled to Australia where they settled in Queensland, near Bundeburg. The estate, which housed a massive sugar mill, gradually became one of the most successful in the area – “Big Jim” named it Elianne in honour of his beautiful French wife whom he loved to distraction. The 1880s was a time when the Kanakas (Pacific Island workers) came to Australia in droves to work in the sugar cane industry, and Elianne was no different – there were literally hundreds of these hard working families living and working for “Big Jim”.
The Christmas of 1964 saw Kate and her brothers, Neil and Alan, back at Elianne with their father, Stanley Durham and mother Hilda. Christmas was a family tradition which had been carried on for generations, and Stan was a man who had followed in his Grandfather’s footsteps – he idolised “Big Jim”, but had no time for his own father, Bartholomew.
On learning that their father was going to demolish the stately old homestead, the original which “Big Jim” had built for his bride, Kate had discovered a trunk full of beautifully kept books, books which Grandmother Ellie had obviously loved. But underneath those books, Kate discovered ledgers, and within the writings of the ledgers she learned her grandmother had written her diary – all in French.
That day was to mark the beginning of the deep and massive change to the Durham family. The secrets from the past were about to emerge into the turmoil of a country which was embroiled in the Vietnam War, the White Australia Policy, politics and freedom of speech, the pill and rock’n’roll! What would happen to Kate’s family? What would happen to a family which had survived for generations, supported families for generations, and had been one of Queensland’s biggest and most honourable of names within the industry for as long as anyone could remember?
I absolutely loved this book! The history, the depth, the weaving of the characters; all set a fantastic stage in a book which went with ease from Kate’s time in the 1960s to Ellie’s time in the 1880s. This is a story of love, family, lies and secrets, a story of ownership and possession, a story of success and ultimate failure. But overall it is a story which will blow you away with the enjoyment of the pages. A book I have no hesitation in recommending highly.
With thanks to NetGalley, The Reading Room and the publisher for my copy to read and review.
February 23, 2015
I feel dumber for reading it. Character development is dreadful. Why do you need to spell out a characters personality surely that can be gained by skilfully telling their story and their reactions to the conflict?
I'm assuming that Judy Nunn has something to say about the racist attitudes of Australia in the 1960's. The story however is fluff at best and doesn't cut to what it racism was really like and it's impact on its victims.
Oh the sex descriptions were atrocious. She really shouldn't have bothered with the detail. It felt like an old aunt telling you some romanticised version of sex. I realise we were set in a simpler time but the language was cringeworthy.
The ending felt rushed, she spent 60 odd pages at the start meandering on about Kate's first day back at Elianne then rushed the last 100 pages to tie up all 4 plots.
Do yourself a favour don't waste your time reading this one.
I'm assuming that Judy Nunn has something to say about the racist attitudes of Australia in the 1960's. The story however is fluff at best and doesn't cut to what it racism was really like and it's impact on its victims.
Oh the sex descriptions were atrocious. She really shouldn't have bothered with the detail. It felt like an old aunt telling you some romanticised version of sex. I realise we were set in a simpler time but the language was cringeworthy.
The ending felt rushed, she spent 60 odd pages at the start meandering on about Kate's first day back at Elianne then rushed the last 100 pages to tie up all 4 plots.
Do yourself a favour don't waste your time reading this one.
February 22, 2015
It was only fairly recently that I realised that Judy Nunn (who I knew was an actor on the TV show Home and Away) wrote books. And she’s been quite prolific, as well.
I was interested to read Elianne, as it’s set in my home state of Queensland, although I have never been to Bundaberg. There were some parts set in Brisbane, and it was nice to recognise local places.
This was a very interesting read about life in the cane fields around the turn of the 19th to 20th century and about how what we see of people’s relationships, or what we are told, is not necessarily all there is to the story.
I’m giving this 4.5★ and I look forward to reading more of Judy Nunn’s plentiful work.
I was interested to read Elianne, as it’s set in my home state of Queensland, although I have never been to Bundaberg. There were some parts set in Brisbane, and it was nice to recognise local places.
This was a very interesting read about life in the cane fields around the turn of the 19th to 20th century and about how what we see of people’s relationships, or what we are told, is not necessarily all there is to the story.
I’m giving this 4.5★ and I look forward to reading more of Judy Nunn’s plentiful work.
May 3, 2018
Elianne is beautiful family saga set in North Queensland sugarcane region. One Christmas Kate Durham was going through truck she found in the old family home and come across her grandmother's diaries and started to read them. What Kate Durham found in the dairies will change her, and her family lives forever. The readers of Elianne will continue to follow to find out what happens to Kate Durham and her family.
I enjoyed reading Elianne. I had not read any of Judy Nunn books until this year, and Elianne did not disappoint. It was well written and researched by Judy Nunn. I love Judy Nunn portrayal of her characters and the way they interact with each other. I like that Judy Nunn intertwines the story of Ellie in the 1880's and Kate's time in the 1960's in a way that I felt I was part of the story. Judy Nunn does a great job in describing her settings.
The readers of Elianne learn about working and living on a large sugarcane estate and working a sugar cane mill in North Queensland. Also, Elianne highlights the social changes that Australian was going through during the 1960's and how it affected traditional family values.
I recommend this book
I enjoyed reading Elianne. I had not read any of Judy Nunn books until this year, and Elianne did not disappoint. It was well written and researched by Judy Nunn. I love Judy Nunn portrayal of her characters and the way they interact with each other. I like that Judy Nunn intertwines the story of Ellie in the 1880's and Kate's time in the 1960's in a way that I felt I was part of the story. Judy Nunn does a great job in describing her settings.
The readers of Elianne learn about working and living on a large sugarcane estate and working a sugar cane mill in North Queensland. Also, Elianne highlights the social changes that Australian was going through during the 1960's and how it affected traditional family values.
I recommend this book
November 18, 2013
4.5 stars. I was struggling to think of what I could say this book is about without giving away plot points, when upon reflection I realised that the book is about change. How it impacts us and those around us. It was well-written, and I found it difficult to put down, but due to some small problems with it, I can't find it to give it 5 stars. The chapters were a little bit too long for my liking, but they were used well, and it was a great hook to keep you reading. The climax of the book just left me completely gobsmacked, and then the resolution hit like me a ton of bricks and my jaw hit the floor. I look forwarding to reading more of the authors work.
January 5, 2014
I really enjoyed this book. Brilliant bloody brilliant!
December 31, 2013
I really enjoyed Elianne, an Australian family saga set primarily in the 60’s and portraying the vast amount of changes that took place in that era. The research that Judy Nunn would have done to successfully transport the reader to a different time and place so convincingly was fantastic – a time when activists fought for ‘change’ – The Vietnam War, Aboriginal Rights and the Immigration Policy – I could feel the characters emotions from both sides (the younger generation trying to bring about the change and the older generation holding onto old ways!) all the way through this well written novel. I loved the setting in Bundaberg in Queensland in the sugar cane industry and have always been fascinated by that industry. But we are not only in the 60’s following the current Durham family story, but we also follow through diary ‘Ellie’s Scribblings’ from the late 1880’s about her life when coming to Australia from France to marry Big Jim. The lead up to and climax of the book was superb and I really enjoyed how this book all came together – characters, setting, storyline. Super work Judy!!
September 19, 2015
Easy reading, like all Judy Nunn books. Always enjoy the historical aspects of her novels- this time incorporating Aboriginal rights through the abolishment of the White Australia policy.
September 13, 2015
An easy read. The cane farm setting held interest for me as my godfather is a cane farmer and I have lived in cane farming areas for most of my life.
March 4, 2024
Excellent..
February 24, 2025
An interesting fiction story bringing in so many historical events that impacted families and our nation. A great ending after some turbulent times.
December 10, 2013
★ Elianne - Judy Nunn - 4.5 stars ★
Elianne is a sweeping epic family saga set in the Southern Queensland cane fields and covers a vast time period. Following generations of the Durham family from 1881, to the 1960's and early 70's.
This novel has a large number of key characters, commencing with the relationship of 'Big Jim' Durham and the love of his life Elianne Desmarais a beautiful young French woman for whom the original grand house and cane field was built. We then learn of the current decendents Stan and Hilda Durham, and their three children, Neil, Kate and Alan and their life of immense change in the 1960's. Stan's father Bartholomew is a connector to the past and present.
The epic story is told intermittently through diary entries of the late Elianne, translated from French by Kate. Interspursed we learn a great deal about Kate, her relationships with her brothers, family members, a number of key employees of the cane fields and their loves for life and other people. Neil, Kate and Alan never seem to meet the approval of their father Stan, yet continue to remain strong resolute individuals keen on achieving their own life goals, with or without the blessing of their strong father.
This novel is hard to review without spoilers, that said, I learnt so much more about Australia in the 1960's the changes, and challenges faced. The Vietnam war, activists for Aboriginal rights, the white Australia policy, just to name a few. Additionally the book contains family relationships, both good and bad, and a strong sense of community, including the conflicting emotions of the time and left me with the desire to visit the great Australian cane fields and see Bundaberg in action! (how does that sugar get from field to my table?). Of course we can't forget the underlying family secret that threatens to unravel the whole family.
Judy Nunn appears to have covered everything important in the period of 1960! Having been born in the very late 60's so much of this remained unknown to me. What a wonderful way to learn so much more about Australian history!
Whilst this is my first Nunn novel, I am confident it will not be my last.
I recommend this to readers who enjoy, dual time period novels, Australiana, sweeping family sagas and , long buried secrets and of course romance and forbidden relationships. This novel has something for everyone! I laughed, I cried and am greatly enriched by having been a part of Elianne for a short period of time.
Loudly and proudly supporting Australian authors!
Elianne is a sweeping epic family saga set in the Southern Queensland cane fields and covers a vast time period. Following generations of the Durham family from 1881, to the 1960's and early 70's.
This novel has a large number of key characters, commencing with the relationship of 'Big Jim' Durham and the love of his life Elianne Desmarais a beautiful young French woman for whom the original grand house and cane field was built. We then learn of the current decendents Stan and Hilda Durham, and their three children, Neil, Kate and Alan and their life of immense change in the 1960's. Stan's father Bartholomew is a connector to the past and present.
The epic story is told intermittently through diary entries of the late Elianne, translated from French by Kate. Interspursed we learn a great deal about Kate, her relationships with her brothers, family members, a number of key employees of the cane fields and their loves for life and other people. Neil, Kate and Alan never seem to meet the approval of their father Stan, yet continue to remain strong resolute individuals keen on achieving their own life goals, with or without the blessing of their strong father.
This novel is hard to review without spoilers, that said, I learnt so much more about Australia in the 1960's the changes, and challenges faced. The Vietnam war, activists for Aboriginal rights, the white Australia policy, just to name a few. Additionally the book contains family relationships, both good and bad, and a strong sense of community, including the conflicting emotions of the time and left me with the desire to visit the great Australian cane fields and see Bundaberg in action! (how does that sugar get from field to my table?). Of course we can't forget the underlying family secret that threatens to unravel the whole family.
Judy Nunn appears to have covered everything important in the period of 1960! Having been born in the very late 60's so much of this remained unknown to me. What a wonderful way to learn so much more about Australian history!
Whilst this is my first Nunn novel, I am confident it will not be my last.
I recommend this to readers who enjoy, dual time period novels, Australiana, sweeping family sagas and , long buried secrets and of course romance and forbidden relationships. This novel has something for everyone! I laughed, I cried and am greatly enriched by having been a part of Elianne for a short period of time.
Loudly and proudly supporting Australian authors!
August 29, 2014
I bought this book as a joke because I grew up not far from where it is set and I thought that it would be an overdramatised story glamorising the lives of cane farmers. But I was so wrong and I still can't believe how spot on the writer was and how relatable she made the story. The book had me on the edge of my seat, constantly turning the page to find out what happened next. Great character development and some amazing plot twists too! It's one of those books that you won't soon forget after reading :)
March 24, 2015
I loved this story of the Durham family of Bundaberg. A cane farming family who had an empire although all that changed by the end of the book. Stan had grown up admiring his grandfather, know as Big Jim, who had started the cane plantation years before. His grandparents had been viewed with reverence by the family until Stan's daughter Kate had discovered the diaries of her grandmother Ellianne and they told a different story. Lots happened to this family over the course of this story as it does with family sagas and it was an interesting read.
January 2, 2014
An easy summer holiday read with an interesting and factual background of Australian history. however I felt it got a little bogged down at times and preachy about Australia's history of social injustices. I enjoyed the way the author blended the stories of the current generation with the past through the diaries of the great grandmother. There are some good issues to promote discussion in a bookclub.
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September 23, 2020Interesting to read a book set outside Bunderburg, which we've visited. Doesn't make sense though that Elianne would have risked having a child with Pavi when who the father of the child was would have likely been evident because of the child's skin colour. Given Big Jim's character, the result of his noticing this would have been catastrophic.
January 10, 2014
Another Judy Nunn book to enjoy. She makes Australian history come alive.
February 3, 2014
An enthralling tale set among the cane fields of Bundaberg. An interesting insight into family dynamics. A great read.
December 15, 2014
A really interesting read about family relationships in the sugar fields in Bundaberg.
October 12, 2018
I liked some of the ideas but many of the characters stories where incomplete. No flow to the story
March 13, 2022
Judy Nunn's story is set at the turn of the 20th century and also in 1960's Bundaberg. The author combines two generations of a sugar producing dynasty in this part thriller, part historical fiction and part romance. Having visited Bundaberg on many occasions and having family associations within the area, I praise Judy Nunn for her brilliant research which shows through her use of real names and places, including names from my husband's family. I felt like I was living some family history as I read the book.
The story is about Jim Durham marrying Elianne Desmarais, a French girl and building her the finest sugar mill in the southern Queensland cane fields, naming it Elianne in her honour. Family secrets from the late 19th century begin to surface in the 1960s when Elianne's granddaughter, Kate Durham, discovers diaries secretly written in French by her grandmother so her grandfather Jim could not read them. Kate secretly translates the diaries when she is away at university in Sydney, opening up old wounds and changing everything she and her two brothers have ever been told about their family and the family sugar cane business.
The author takes the reader through the freedoms of the 1960s, rock and roll, the pill, the Vietnam war, the rise of feminism and Asian immigration all of which rattle traditional values. Mechanisation forces workers to leave the great sugar cane plantations and the family faces loss of honour when its secrets are exposed.
A perfect read!
The story is about Jim Durham marrying Elianne Desmarais, a French girl and building her the finest sugar mill in the southern Queensland cane fields, naming it Elianne in her honour. Family secrets from the late 19th century begin to surface in the 1960s when Elianne's granddaughter, Kate Durham, discovers diaries secretly written in French by her grandmother so her grandfather Jim could not read them. Kate secretly translates the diaries when she is away at university in Sydney, opening up old wounds and changing everything she and her two brothers have ever been told about their family and the family sugar cane business.
The author takes the reader through the freedoms of the 1960s, rock and roll, the pill, the Vietnam war, the rise of feminism and Asian immigration all of which rattle traditional values. Mechanisation forces workers to leave the great sugar cane plantations and the family faces loss of honour when its secrets are exposed.
A perfect read!
September 26, 2021
Always a fan of Judy Nunn's Australian stories, I found this one to be a mirror held up to Australian society both past and present.
She paints an accurate picture of the world in the 1960s as it was in the sugar-cane lands of southern Queensland. Australia was on the verge of change. Dissent was brewing in the major cities. Student activism for many causes, not the least of which was racial equality and the inclusion of first nations people in the face of the "White Australia Policy".
But still, pioneers in agriculture had grown rich on the back of imported laborers from neighboring islands who were treated poorly. The gentile habits of the ladies were encouraged by their prosperous menfolk as a symbol of refinement and superiority over the working class and this had flowed from the mid 1800s right through both World Wars. Not much had changed in rural Australia but the loyalty to 'King and country' was beginning to be questioned by the younger generation although many still went off to fight in wars. It was only in leaving their parochial existences that they discovered the truths that were obvious in the wider world.
Nunn gives us a happy ending with some hope for the future for this family but the mirror that she holds up to us reflects a picture that we may find confronting, as despite the changes that have occurred and the political correctness that pervades modern society, much is a thin veneer over old attitudes.
She paints an accurate picture of the world in the 1960s as it was in the sugar-cane lands of southern Queensland. Australia was on the verge of change. Dissent was brewing in the major cities. Student activism for many causes, not the least of which was racial equality and the inclusion of first nations people in the face of the "White Australia Policy".
But still, pioneers in agriculture had grown rich on the back of imported laborers from neighboring islands who were treated poorly. The gentile habits of the ladies were encouraged by their prosperous menfolk as a symbol of refinement and superiority over the working class and this had flowed from the mid 1800s right through both World Wars. Not much had changed in rural Australia but the loyalty to 'King and country' was beginning to be questioned by the younger generation although many still went off to fight in wars. It was only in leaving their parochial existences that they discovered the truths that were obvious in the wider world.
Nunn gives us a happy ending with some hope for the future for this family but the mirror that she holds up to us reflects a picture that we may find confronting, as despite the changes that have occurred and the political correctness that pervades modern society, much is a thin veneer over old attitudes.
March 16, 2024
I found that Judy Nunn in Elianne created an authentic store of the traditional and prosperous family life where status is above everything, including happiness.
As with any family, we all have things we are not so pleased about. Still, in Elainne, we saw that to live in harmony, the women and siblings must always accept and not challenge what the husband/boss wants.
Her descriptions of the strategies that the family members devised to tolerate the relationship and live in peace were quite different according to their personalities and the era in which they lived.
Until the young generation came out, and Kate started the process of breaking tradition. She went to a university far from her home, taking a course she wanted, embracing values she believed in, and fighting for them.
Her brothers, therefore, started following her example and living according to their values but in the back of the father's eyes.
Until the truth came out, destroying Stan's lifelong journey /values, but as we know from a terrible experience, a significant transformation came out.
Judy Nunn engaged the reader to the point that despite my goal to read one chapter a day, I sometimes could not put the book down and read two or three chapters.
As with any family, we all have things we are not so pleased about. Still, in Elainne, we saw that to live in harmony, the women and siblings must always accept and not challenge what the husband/boss wants.
Her descriptions of the strategies that the family members devised to tolerate the relationship and live in peace were quite different according to their personalities and the era in which they lived.
Until the young generation came out, and Kate started the process of breaking tradition. She went to a university far from her home, taking a course she wanted, embracing values she believed in, and fighting for them.
Her brothers, therefore, started following her example and living according to their values but in the back of the father's eyes.
Until the truth came out, destroying Stan's lifelong journey /values, but as we know from a terrible experience, a significant transformation came out.
Judy Nunn engaged the reader to the point that despite my goal to read one chapter a day, I sometimes could not put the book down and read two or three chapters.
July 19, 2025
This is the second book of Judy Nunn's I have read. She certainly is a writer that can grab the reader and keep them involved in her tale. I really enjoyed how Judy linked the time lines up. I am so sick of duel time line books. This was done very well.
This book opens in In 1881, Big Jim’ Durham, a ruthlessly man who creates Elianne near Bunderburg in Queensland , he brings his young French wife, to Southern Queensland cane fields, and names it in her honour. The massive estate becomes a home to hundreds of workers. The Durham Family, have dark secrets. The 1960s arrive for Kate Durham and her brothers Neil and Alan. Young Australians leap to the barricades of the social revolution. Rock ‘n’ roll, the Pill, the Vietnam War, the rise of Feminism, Asian immigration and the Freedom Ride join forces to rattle the chains of traditional values. Durham family, its secrets exposed have to accept the changes or not survive. This is a wonderful Family saga set in a very interesting time. I truly enjoyed reliving some of these experiences.
This book opens in In 1881, Big Jim’ Durham, a ruthlessly man who creates Elianne near Bunderburg in Queensland , he brings his young French wife, to Southern Queensland cane fields, and names it in her honour. The massive estate becomes a home to hundreds of workers. The Durham Family, have dark secrets. The 1960s arrive for Kate Durham and her brothers Neil and Alan. Young Australians leap to the barricades of the social revolution. Rock ‘n’ roll, the Pill, the Vietnam War, the rise of Feminism, Asian immigration and the Freedom Ride join forces to rattle the chains of traditional values. Durham family, its secrets exposed have to accept the changes or not survive. This is a wonderful Family saga set in a very interesting time. I truly enjoyed reliving some of these experiences.
August 24, 2020
I loved this book by Judy Nunn even though my recollections from that tumultuous era of the Vietnam war do differ somewhat from those in the novel. This is a beautiful love story marred by character flaws, bitterness and prejudice. However the Australia of today had its beginnings in stories such as this one that tells of migrant and underpaid labour both of which underpinned early Australian prosperity.
The baby boomer generation sprang out of this mix of cultures and attitudes. Aristocratic families battled to maintain their status while undervalued workers strove to become good Australians despite the uneven playing field.
I loved the mix of generations, the expectations of younger people, especially women and the story of Bundaberg and it’s sugar industry.
Great book!
Carinya
The baby boomer generation sprang out of this mix of cultures and attitudes. Aristocratic families battled to maintain their status while undervalued workers strove to become good Australians despite the uneven playing field.
I loved the mix of generations, the expectations of younger people, especially women and the story of Bundaberg and it’s sugar industry.
Great book!
Carinya
June 30, 2023
This is a dual-timeline historical fiction by prolific Australian author Judy Nunn, set in rural Queensland, near Bundaberg, on the sugar plantations.
The earlier timeline involves “Big Jim” Durham and his beautiful French wife Elianne Desmarais who was practically sold to him by her drunkard father to pay off his debts. Big Jim named his huge plantation Elianne after his adored wife with its wide landscapes and Kanakas (Pacific Island workers) who came to Australia to work the plantations as they were better able to withstand the heat than their Aussie counterparts.
The second timeline begins in 1964 and revolves around Stan Durham, Big Jim’s grandson and his family. This storyline takes in the Vietnam War which son Jim goes off to fight, the campaign for the Referendum to change the constitution to include Aboriginal people as part of the population, the White Australia policy and the feelings of Australians towards immigrants.
Kate discovers Grandmother Ellie’s diaries which shake the foundations of the story the family has built about themselves and brings about big changes.
I enjoyed this story although some of the characters such as Stan and Big Jim were somewhat overblown and one dimensional. The audio narration was also good.
The earlier timeline involves “Big Jim” Durham and his beautiful French wife Elianne Desmarais who was practically sold to him by her drunkard father to pay off his debts. Big Jim named his huge plantation Elianne after his adored wife with its wide landscapes and Kanakas (Pacific Island workers) who came to Australia to work the plantations as they were better able to withstand the heat than their Aussie counterparts.
The second timeline begins in 1964 and revolves around Stan Durham, Big Jim’s grandson and his family. This storyline takes in the Vietnam War which son Jim goes off to fight, the campaign for the Referendum to change the constitution to include Aboriginal people as part of the population, the White Australia policy and the feelings of Australians towards immigrants.
Kate discovers Grandmother Ellie’s diaries which shake the foundations of the story the family has built about themselves and brings about big changes.
I enjoyed this story although some of the characters such as Stan and Big Jim were somewhat overblown and one dimensional. The audio narration was also good.
April 28, 2024
A wonderful saga set in the sugar cane fields of Queensland, Australia. Although this story covers two timeframes, they are cleverly spaced so as not to be annoying. When Kate finds her grandmother's diaries under the old house, written in French for privacy, the family stories of their grandparents great love affair are dashed to pieces. As she reads further, she discovers more skeletons in the cupboard. Having translated them, should she share the shocking truth with her parents, her older brother, her younger brother or no-one at all?
February 7, 2020
I love Judy Nunn, I’ve read a number of her books now and have enjoyed them all Elianne was no exception to this.
This family drama played out wonderfully weaving between the past and current time with ease and just when I thought I had it all figured out, there was a surprise.
Exploring racism, activism and heroism this goes beyond an easy summer read. Looking forward to reading more Judy Nunn.
This family drama played out wonderfully weaving between the past and current time with ease and just when I thought I had it all figured out, there was a surprise.
Exploring racism, activism and heroism this goes beyond an easy summer read. Looking forward to reading more Judy Nunn.
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