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Maralinga
During the darkest days of the Cold War, in the remote wilderness of a South Australian desert, the future of an infant nation is being decided - without its people's knowledge. In the spring of 1956, British Lieutenant Daniel Gardiner accepts a twelve-month posting to Maralinga, South Australia, on a promise of rapid promotion. Instead he finds himself in a violent and unforgiving landscape, infected with the unique madness and excitement born from involvement in a nuclear testing site.Adventurous journalist Elizabeth Hoffmann travels halfway around the world searching for answers, and her lost love. Here she discovers the truth about this desolate place, and the story of the innocent people who had walked their land unhindered for forty thousand years, until now . . .
525 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2009
102 people are currently reading
717 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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May 9, 2020
*https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
*Book Bingo 2020 Round 5: About the environment.
Published in 2009, Maralinga is a story of power, cruel policies, underhanded tactics, injustice and environmental devastation. With undercurrents of romance, intrigue and suspense, Maralinga delivers plenty of consternation as it unfurls a surprising and largely unknown story from our not too distant past.
In the time of the Cold War, the British were conjuring up plans to test nuclear bombs in the face of possible global conflict. A site in the remote South Australian desert environment proves to be fertile ground for the British, who utilise this isolated locale to complete dangerous atomic weapons tests. Maralinga is a male only site, populated by army personnel and top ranking political officials. This nuclear testing site goes about it’s shocking business with no forethought for the local indigenous population surrounding the area, as well as the unique flora and fauna. When British lieutenant Daniel Gardiner is assigned to the infamous facility, he encounters dangerous and underhand tactics. In an effort to speak out, Daniel is silenced by his superiors, who want to keep the business of Maralinga completely under wraps. Daniel’s love, an enterprising journalist named Elizabeth Hoffman, arrives on Australian shores in search of the truth behind Maralinga.
Maralinga by Judy Nunn has sat on my TBR bookcase for far too long. In search of book that would fulfil of category of book bingo 2020, my eyes rested on Judy Nunn’s tenth novel. A recent interest I developed in nuclear energy and testing, thanks to a television series that charts Russia’s nuclear disaster Chernobyl, directed me to a local history of this fascinating but dangerous time in Australia’s past.
Opening with the resounding voices of the local indigenous people that frequent the area of Maralinga, in the sparse surrounds of South Australia, Judy Nunn’s tenth novel delivers a powerful and untold story. Concealed from the public, the Maralinga atomic bomb testing site was a toxic scene, causing undue destruction to the local environment, with no consideration for the local population, nature and the indigenous people of this area. Maralinga traces this time in our history books, bringing to light a destructive period in our past.
Maralinga also inserts the perspectives of a British lieutenant assigned to the site, who gets more than he bargained for when he probes into the operations of the facility. Lieutenant Daniel’s story is compelling and I appreciated his role in the story. There is also a subplot of romance featuring Daniel and his love Elizabeth. The character of Elizabeth is pertinent to this story. This fiery and independent spirit sets off on a tumultuous journey from British soil, to the dusty lands of South Australia. Elizabeth is one determined soul, who relentlessly pursues the truth, putting her life in danger, while defiantly facing up to the higher powers of Maralinga.
The time period in which Maralinga is set is vividly realised by Nunn, providing the reader with a very good feel for the climate at this rather precarious time. With a focus on politics, policies, military movements, the cold war, treatment of women and racial prejudice, Nunn covers comprehensive ground. By far the most compelling aspect of this novel was the focus on Maralinga itself. Maralinga looms over the proceedings of the book and this testing hub demands to be acknowledged for its controversial environmental acts.
Featuring a cast of good guys, villains and a few in between, Maralinga navigates tricky and problematic terrain. Maralinga is shocking, revealing and well researched. I consider this one a must read for Australian history enthusiasts.
Maralinga is book #52 of the 2020 Australian Women Writers Challenge
*Book Bingo 2020 Round 5: About the environment.
Published in 2009, Maralinga is a story of power, cruel policies, underhanded tactics, injustice and environmental devastation. With undercurrents of romance, intrigue and suspense, Maralinga delivers plenty of consternation as it unfurls a surprising and largely unknown story from our not too distant past.
In the time of the Cold War, the British were conjuring up plans to test nuclear bombs in the face of possible global conflict. A site in the remote South Australian desert environment proves to be fertile ground for the British, who utilise this isolated locale to complete dangerous atomic weapons tests. Maralinga is a male only site, populated by army personnel and top ranking political officials. This nuclear testing site goes about it’s shocking business with no forethought for the local indigenous population surrounding the area, as well as the unique flora and fauna. When British lieutenant Daniel Gardiner is assigned to the infamous facility, he encounters dangerous and underhand tactics. In an effort to speak out, Daniel is silenced by his superiors, who want to keep the business of Maralinga completely under wraps. Daniel’s love, an enterprising journalist named Elizabeth Hoffman, arrives on Australian shores in search of the truth behind Maralinga.
Maralinga by Judy Nunn has sat on my TBR bookcase for far too long. In search of book that would fulfil of category of book bingo 2020, my eyes rested on Judy Nunn’s tenth novel. A recent interest I developed in nuclear energy and testing, thanks to a television series that charts Russia’s nuclear disaster Chernobyl, directed me to a local history of this fascinating but dangerous time in Australia’s past.
Opening with the resounding voices of the local indigenous people that frequent the area of Maralinga, in the sparse surrounds of South Australia, Judy Nunn’s tenth novel delivers a powerful and untold story. Concealed from the public, the Maralinga atomic bomb testing site was a toxic scene, causing undue destruction to the local environment, with no consideration for the local population, nature and the indigenous people of this area. Maralinga traces this time in our history books, bringing to light a destructive period in our past.
Maralinga also inserts the perspectives of a British lieutenant assigned to the site, who gets more than he bargained for when he probes into the operations of the facility. Lieutenant Daniel’s story is compelling and I appreciated his role in the story. There is also a subplot of romance featuring Daniel and his love Elizabeth. The character of Elizabeth is pertinent to this story. This fiery and independent spirit sets off on a tumultuous journey from British soil, to the dusty lands of South Australia. Elizabeth is one determined soul, who relentlessly pursues the truth, putting her life in danger, while defiantly facing up to the higher powers of Maralinga.
The time period in which Maralinga is set is vividly realised by Nunn, providing the reader with a very good feel for the climate at this rather precarious time. With a focus on politics, policies, military movements, the cold war, treatment of women and racial prejudice, Nunn covers comprehensive ground. By far the most compelling aspect of this novel was the focus on Maralinga itself. Maralinga looms over the proceedings of the book and this testing hub demands to be acknowledged for its controversial environmental acts.
Featuring a cast of good guys, villains and a few in between, Maralinga navigates tricky and problematic terrain. Maralinga is shocking, revealing and well researched. I consider this one a must read for Australian history enthusiasts.
Maralinga is book #52 of the 2020 Australian Women Writers Challenge
February 7, 2017
This is a brilliant book by Judy Nunn and my first 5★ read of 2017. As an Australian, I had heard of Maralinga and knew that it was the site of nuclear bomb testing at some point in the 20th century, but I wasn’t aware of the details or of how it may have affected the native Aboriginal people.
I listened to this, and it was a quite distressing read at times, and so sad to see how cheaply life was held by some in positions of authority.
Deirdre Rubenstein narrated this beautifully, and I didn’t want to stop the audiobook when I had to get on with activities when I couldn’t listen to it!!
I listened to this, and it was a quite distressing read at times, and so sad to see how cheaply life was held by some in positions of authority.
Deirdre Rubenstein narrated this beautifully, and I didn’t want to stop the audiobook when I had to get on with activities when I couldn’t listen to it!!
January 18, 2025
3.5 ⭐️s
Good Aussie yarn. A subject matter I didn’t know anything about. Thought provoking.
Audiobook via BorrowBox
Published by: Bolinda audio
Read by Deidre Rubenstein
Duration: 17 hrs, 19 min. 1.25x Speed
Good Aussie yarn. A subject matter I didn’t know anything about. Thought provoking.
Audiobook via BorrowBox
Published by: Bolinda audio
Read by Deidre Rubenstein
Duration: 17 hrs, 19 min. 1.25x Speed
June 8, 2011
Having known nothing about Maralinga I found the book interesting to learn about the subject of nuclear testing in SA, however that is where any praise ends. The book is filled with one dimensional and unlikable characters. Judy Nunn seems to be obsessed with sex and homosexuality which doesn't add to the story at all. Generally if you have gay tendencies you are cast as a baddie and I became so fed up with reading about men's " recovery" times... I am now inspired to find more non fictional literature on the subject.
October 21, 2012
It is 1954 and Elizabeth Hoffman, a smart woman in her early 20s is looking to break into the cutthroat and men-only world of feature reporting and investigative journalism. She’s been given a job by a paper who doesn’t care if she’s male or female and she is using it to get a better foothold before submitting her resume to the large London papers. While covering a military event in Aldershot, the ‘home of the British Army’ she meets Lieutenant Daniel Gardiner.
For Gardiner, it is love at first sight and despite the fact that he’s two years younger than Elizabeth he knows that she is the woman he wants to marry and spend the rest of his life with. Elizabeth is slower to come to the party, focused on her career and not willing to be one of those women that marries and goes off and has babies and never goes back to work. She resists her feelings for Daniel, working on getting the job in London she so desperately desires. Feelings don’t go away though and after some time, the two of them come to an understanding.
Then they get word that Daniel is to be posted to the desert in South Australia on a promise of a rapid promotion. No one really knows much about what the posting is for, although there are rumours – the British military are going to undertake nuclear testing. It’s the height of the Cold War and although allies, Britain and the United States are still in their own race to develop and test nuclear weapons. And what better place to test something dangerous than in the middle of no where. Gardiner meets bushman Petraeus Mitchell at Maralinga, the liason for the Aboriginal communities. Mitchell, fond of a drink, is a tough bugger but the atrocities he has seen spill out of him one night, leaving young Daniel horrified. The local nomadic Aboriginal community, who move through the area to a waterhole that is the backbone of their land, were supposed to be rounded up and removed from the area. But it seems as though they didn’t manage to find all of them.
When Elizabeth receives devastating news in London, it arouses her journalistic instinct. She’s sure she’s being lied to by the British military but what she doesn’t realise is just how far up the chain this lie goes. She’s prepared to go halfway around the world to discover the truth behind just what is going on at Maralinga….
Recently I decided to make a conscious effort to balance out my reading a little more and stop ignoring the books sitting on my TBR shelf that had been there some time. I had a bit of fun deciding to choose a title that had been there for about a year and ended up picking up Maralinga. I went to an event last year with the author, Australian TV and stage actress Judy Nunn (you can read about that here) and she was such an amazing speaker, so passionate and enthusiastic that I ended up buying myself a huge pile of her books, 4 of which I got signed by her. She wrote something different in each one, relating to the book itself and the dedication in this one is that it will contain a few shocks.
I have to admit, I had no idea about Maralinga until listening to Nunn talk and it seems that I’m not alone. There are plenty of Australian’s who know relatively little about it, as many facts were kept from the Australian public until after the McClelland Royal Commission exposed many facts about what had occurred there in 1984-5. I was born in 1982 and this was not something I was ever taught about in school.
Maralinga is a work of fiction, but it weaves in real events with thorough research. It was hard not be drawn in, this was a fascinating story, basically an entire population of a country oblivious while another country’s army exploded nuclear bombs in their backyard. Nunn plays up on the rumours that local Aboriginals were poisoned by the tests, including some really disturbing snippets from the point of view of various local nomadic Aboriginal families. While it’s never been proved that things like this did happen, it’s never been totally proved that they didn’t either.
Maralinga isn’t just a story about the nuclear testing, it’s also a love story but that part wasn’t the novel’s greatest strength. I liked Daniel and I liked Elizabeth but them together didn’t really work for me and I can’t quite put my finger on why. I think it was mostly the effort they went to in order to remain friends when Elizabeth was still shunning relationships that when they actually did step it up to the next level, it still felt like they were just friends to me. I never really got the urgency of her feelings until she decided to give up everything and go to Australia and search out the truth of what was really going on a Maralinga. Then I got it.
Meticulously researched and also wonderfully written, this is a really fascinating blend of the truth and embellishment. I actually read this book in a day, and it’s a pretty hefty size but I found it an easy page-turner and it kept me invested the whole way. There were some twists and turns that I didn’t see coming. It showcases the beauty of our desert wonderfully and also gives us a really progressive, ahead-of-her-time protagonist, someone to admire for her principles and just how far she will go to know the truth.
For Gardiner, it is love at first sight and despite the fact that he’s two years younger than Elizabeth he knows that she is the woman he wants to marry and spend the rest of his life with. Elizabeth is slower to come to the party, focused on her career and not willing to be one of those women that marries and goes off and has babies and never goes back to work. She resists her feelings for Daniel, working on getting the job in London she so desperately desires. Feelings don’t go away though and after some time, the two of them come to an understanding.
Then they get word that Daniel is to be posted to the desert in South Australia on a promise of a rapid promotion. No one really knows much about what the posting is for, although there are rumours – the British military are going to undertake nuclear testing. It’s the height of the Cold War and although allies, Britain and the United States are still in their own race to develop and test nuclear weapons. And what better place to test something dangerous than in the middle of no where. Gardiner meets bushman Petraeus Mitchell at Maralinga, the liason for the Aboriginal communities. Mitchell, fond of a drink, is a tough bugger but the atrocities he has seen spill out of him one night, leaving young Daniel horrified. The local nomadic Aboriginal community, who move through the area to a waterhole that is the backbone of their land, were supposed to be rounded up and removed from the area. But it seems as though they didn’t manage to find all of them.
When Elizabeth receives devastating news in London, it arouses her journalistic instinct. She’s sure she’s being lied to by the British military but what she doesn’t realise is just how far up the chain this lie goes. She’s prepared to go halfway around the world to discover the truth behind just what is going on at Maralinga….
Recently I decided to make a conscious effort to balance out my reading a little more and stop ignoring the books sitting on my TBR shelf that had been there some time. I had a bit of fun deciding to choose a title that had been there for about a year and ended up picking up Maralinga. I went to an event last year with the author, Australian TV and stage actress Judy Nunn (you can read about that here) and she was such an amazing speaker, so passionate and enthusiastic that I ended up buying myself a huge pile of her books, 4 of which I got signed by her. She wrote something different in each one, relating to the book itself and the dedication in this one is that it will contain a few shocks.
I have to admit, I had no idea about Maralinga until listening to Nunn talk and it seems that I’m not alone. There are plenty of Australian’s who know relatively little about it, as many facts were kept from the Australian public until after the McClelland Royal Commission exposed many facts about what had occurred there in 1984-5. I was born in 1982 and this was not something I was ever taught about in school.
Maralinga is a work of fiction, but it weaves in real events with thorough research. It was hard not be drawn in, this was a fascinating story, basically an entire population of a country oblivious while another country’s army exploded nuclear bombs in their backyard. Nunn plays up on the rumours that local Aboriginals were poisoned by the tests, including some really disturbing snippets from the point of view of various local nomadic Aboriginal families. While it’s never been proved that things like this did happen, it’s never been totally proved that they didn’t either.
Maralinga isn’t just a story about the nuclear testing, it’s also a love story but that part wasn’t the novel’s greatest strength. I liked Daniel and I liked Elizabeth but them together didn’t really work for me and I can’t quite put my finger on why. I think it was mostly the effort they went to in order to remain friends when Elizabeth was still shunning relationships that when they actually did step it up to the next level, it still felt like they were just friends to me. I never really got the urgency of her feelings until she decided to give up everything and go to Australia and search out the truth of what was really going on a Maralinga. Then I got it.
Meticulously researched and also wonderfully written, this is a really fascinating blend of the truth and embellishment. I actually read this book in a day, and it’s a pretty hefty size but I found it an easy page-turner and it kept me invested the whole way. There were some twists and turns that I didn’t see coming. It showcases the beauty of our desert wonderfully and also gives us a really progressive, ahead-of-her-time protagonist, someone to admire for her principles and just how far she will go to know the truth.
July 4, 2021
If this was just a trashy romance novel (which it is) you could just read it, laugh about it and put it aside. But that it’s premise is to explore a deep human tragedy and then spend only a handful of fleeting, superficial pages on the people affected, while indulging hundreds of pages on the unrealistic and fantasy-like sexual pursuits of white people, makes the book an injustice in itself.
Admittedly, this was a guilt read for me. A book that someone gave me which I felt I should read out of obligation. I need to stop doing that.
The two stars are for its entertainment value.
Admittedly, this was a guilt read for me. A book that someone gave me which I felt I should read out of obligation. I need to stop doing that.
The two stars are for its entertainment value.
October 14, 2021
3.5 stars - This book started out very engaging, and it is obviously well researched. I was not totally convinced of the absolute brilliance of the main character; she seemed utterly fictional to me. However, the book itself is lovely and if you read it for the purpose of enjoyment and entertainment, as well as learning something about indigenous Australians' experience with Maralinga in SA, it is still very much worth a read.
October 27, 2015
Whoa! Definite roller coaster. Maralinga is in essence, what is wrong with Australian history: we don't know about this stuff.
A work of fiction, but based on true events, Maralinga is an eye opener as to what the Indigenous people of Australia have been put through. It's part love story, but mostly a gripping mystery. Highly recommended.
A work of fiction, but based on true events, Maralinga is an eye opener as to what the Indigenous people of Australia have been put through. It's part love story, but mostly a gripping mystery. Highly recommended.
July 23, 2016
Another excellent read, not to mention very interesting historical facts, from Judy Nunn... full review to come
April 8, 2020
Giving up at ch 7. Not interested in romance/sex lives of so far boring characters, will search for something else regarding the history of Maralinga.
December 27, 2018
Not for the first time, I find myself asking why it took me so long to read this author!!! Nunn's fictional novel about a true time in Australia's history and not a very admirable one was riveting. Well researched and written in such a way to capture the interest of the reader. This novel had it all. Mystery, intrigue, history, crime, shame and romance. I loved the characters I was supposed to and loathed those that were unlikeable. Elizabeth Hoffman would have to be up there with other literary heroines. I'm sure now this won't be my last book by this author.
April 14, 2021
I found this book interesting from the perspective of the history of my country that was covered up. The effect of the atomic testing at Maralinga was devastating to the indigenous people of the area and remains so. It is yet another example of colonialism and the subservient cooperation of the Australian Government compounded the tragedy.
What I didn't like was the gratuitous sex in the book. What was with that encounter in Istanbul? It was totally unnecessary to the plot.
What I didn't like was the gratuitous sex in the book. What was with that encounter in Istanbul? It was totally unnecessary to the plot.
February 26, 2012
I found this book to be very interesting with facts about maralinga being linked into a story. Its interesting to learn About history and I found that the facts stuck more in your mind and became more interesting because you are reading a novel and not a history book. I didn't know anything about maralinga before reading the book but now I would like to learn a little more about it.
Háve never read any of Judy Nunn's books before but will definately read another.
Háve never read any of Judy Nunn's books before but will definately read another.
August 29, 2016
This novel had a special resonance with him, because my father-in-law was at Maralinga. I don't think any Australia could read this and not weep for the utter lack of humility and human decency displayed by the powers of the time.
It was a fascinating story with lots of colourful characters and beautiful landscapes. I especially loved the strong-willed heroine. Judy revealed information in a way that kept me eager to read on, and there was a nice resolution to the romance.
It was a fascinating story with lots of colourful characters and beautiful landscapes. I especially loved the strong-willed heroine. Judy revealed information in a way that kept me eager to read on, and there was a nice resolution to the romance.
December 23, 2013
I just loved this book and couldn't put it down. Yes as other reviews have stated, Nunn's characters are one dimensional but for a fictional novel I don't find that too irritating. I just love the mix of facts and history in the story and it gave me a yearning to learn more about what really happened.
Thanks Judy for another great read.
Thanks Judy for another great read.
January 19, 2024
It took a while to get to Maralinga. The strength of this book was the history upon which it was based. It was excellent that the tragic Indigenous story was told. The English have a lot to answer for and thankfully Australians have stopped toadying to them.
February 12, 2020
Judy Nunn continues as a great storyteller. This'll make you angry though as to what the Australian government and military allowed the Brits to do here.
January 20, 2022
Based on history, this novel tells a story which takes place in an area of South Australia which was turned over to British nuclear scientists to test nuclear bombs similar to those dropped on Japanese cities in 1945. The background to this novel is horrifying and tragic and resulted in a devastating betrayal of the Australian people, especially our indigenous population.
The US would not agree to share its nuclear technology with the UK, much less the loose-lipped Australians. Without consulting cabinet the then Australian prime minister, Robert Menzies made a deal with the British to allow them to use underpopulated areas of Australia to test the horrific weapons. The UK felt threatened by the Russians and the French were ahead in their understanding of nuclear warfare as well. Sadly, despite the sacrifices made by the Australians, the British ultimately betrayed the Australian government by refusing to share the technology and data gained during the tests. This is background which you will not find in the novel, but is now information readily available in Australia to those who are interested. It is still surprising though how many Australians do not know what happened on the Montebelle Islands (WA), or at Emu Plains and Maralinga (SA).
Sometime in my youth I watched with horror a documentary where a whistle blower from the CSIRO, provided evidence about the carelessness of the British scientists, the complicity of the Australian scientists and the wanton disregard for the well-being / safety of the indigenous people who called Maralinga home. The truth turned out to be even worse than this documentary, and the novel cannot expose any more than a fraction of the horrors associated with this time.
After watching the whistle blower's documentary, I remembered a strange day in 1956 when I was about 5 years old. Our home was to the south east of Maralinga, perhaps 500km from the test site. On this particular day it was very cloudy and quite windy. My dog was "spooked" by something and stayed indoors all day whimpering under my chair. This would have been about the time that Adelaide's atmosphere contained radio active material 900 times more than was considered safe.
As for the novel itself, I persisted with it because it was about a time in history of interest to me.
The author goes into a lot of detail describing the psychological games that the characters play. I am not sure that the detailed sex scenes add anything to the story, but the subplot about the suffering of the Aborigines was heartbreakingly real. Those who cannot face reading the non-fiction title, "Maralinga; The chilling expose` of our secret nuclear shame and betrayal of our troops and country" by Frank Walker could perhaps read this novel instead.
The US would not agree to share its nuclear technology with the UK, much less the loose-lipped Australians. Without consulting cabinet the then Australian prime minister, Robert Menzies made a deal with the British to allow them to use underpopulated areas of Australia to test the horrific weapons. The UK felt threatened by the Russians and the French were ahead in their understanding of nuclear warfare as well. Sadly, despite the sacrifices made by the Australians, the British ultimately betrayed the Australian government by refusing to share the technology and data gained during the tests. This is background which you will not find in the novel, but is now information readily available in Australia to those who are interested. It is still surprising though how many Australians do not know what happened on the Montebelle Islands (WA), or at Emu Plains and Maralinga (SA).
Sometime in my youth I watched with horror a documentary where a whistle blower from the CSIRO, provided evidence about the carelessness of the British scientists, the complicity of the Australian scientists and the wanton disregard for the well-being / safety of the indigenous people who called Maralinga home. The truth turned out to be even worse than this documentary, and the novel cannot expose any more than a fraction of the horrors associated with this time.
After watching the whistle blower's documentary, I remembered a strange day in 1956 when I was about 5 years old. Our home was to the south east of Maralinga, perhaps 500km from the test site. On this particular day it was very cloudy and quite windy. My dog was "spooked" by something and stayed indoors all day whimpering under my chair. This would have been about the time that Adelaide's atmosphere contained radio active material 900 times more than was considered safe.
As for the novel itself, I persisted with it because it was about a time in history of interest to me.
The author goes into a lot of detail describing the psychological games that the characters play. I am not sure that the detailed sex scenes add anything to the story, but the subplot about the suffering of the Aborigines was heartbreakingly real. Those who cannot face reading the non-fiction title, "Maralinga; The chilling expose` of our secret nuclear shame and betrayal of our troops and country" by Frank Walker could perhaps read this novel instead.
March 8, 2020
This is a book club read for me for later in the year, and I was able to obtain an audiobook of it, so I listened to it while walking my dog at 2x speed. I would have never picked up this book if it had not been recommended as a book club book.
I loved hearing about the history of Maralinga and the Aboriginal people of that area. I had never heard of it before and learned that in the 50’s, it had been used as a place for military testing.
This story is of a female journalist from London named Elizabeth who wanted to make it big in a male-dominate industry. She was engaged to Daniel who went to Maralinga for work and never came back. The government leaders had said he had died in a terrible detonation accident. Another source said that he committed suicide. Elizabeth was confident that Daniel did not die either way and flew out to Maralinga to investigate his death, which turned out to be a murder to hush him up since he saw something he should not have seen.
There were murders, abuse, hidden agendas, love, affairs, prostitution, unwanted pregnancy, sex, spies, gay interests and lots more. Six months after Daniel’s death and while trying to find answers to his passing, Elizabeth falls in love with Nick and has hot steamy sex, and more sex, and more naked breasts, and then they do it again. The sex parts seemed superfluous and raunchy, leaving an unpleasant feeling in my mind.
I enjoyed getting a glimpse into an Aboriginal community, hoping to learn a lot more about its people. However, all I got was a sappy love sorry with one-dimensional characters. The dialogue and writing was unimpressive. I did not feel connected to any of the characters. I doubt I will be reading any of this author Judy Nunn’s other work. In addition, the narrator of this audiobook Diedre Rubenstein may have ruined it for me, too. Rubenstein’s attempts at different voices and emotions were unconvincing and I know this may be very picky, but she didn’t even sing the song (in the last chapter) when she needed to. I would not recommend either the book of the audiobook.
I loved hearing about the history of Maralinga and the Aboriginal people of that area. I had never heard of it before and learned that in the 50’s, it had been used as a place for military testing.
This story is of a female journalist from London named Elizabeth who wanted to make it big in a male-dominate industry. She was engaged to Daniel who went to Maralinga for work and never came back. The government leaders had said he had died in a terrible detonation accident. Another source said that he committed suicide. Elizabeth was confident that Daniel did not die either way and flew out to Maralinga to investigate his death, which turned out to be a murder to hush him up since he saw something he should not have seen.
There were murders, abuse, hidden agendas, love, affairs, prostitution, unwanted pregnancy, sex, spies, gay interests and lots more. Six months after Daniel’s death and while trying to find answers to his passing, Elizabeth falls in love with Nick and has hot steamy sex, and more sex, and more naked breasts, and then they do it again. The sex parts seemed superfluous and raunchy, leaving an unpleasant feeling in my mind.
I enjoyed getting a glimpse into an Aboriginal community, hoping to learn a lot more about its people. However, all I got was a sappy love sorry with one-dimensional characters. The dialogue and writing was unimpressive. I did not feel connected to any of the characters. I doubt I will be reading any of this author Judy Nunn’s other work. In addition, the narrator of this audiobook Diedre Rubenstein may have ruined it for me, too. Rubenstein’s attempts at different voices and emotions were unconvincing and I know this may be very picky, but she didn’t even sing the song (in the last chapter) when she needed to. I would not recommend either the book of the audiobook.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 31, 2021
This is a very powerful book - or at least it is from about one-third in to the story which it really becomes absolutely gripping. The romance at the start between Elizabeth and Daniel leaves me cold, and I didn't really believe it in, but once Daniel is sent by the Army to Maralinga, then the intrigue really begins.
And, yes, I must admit to my shame that I'd not heard of Maralinga and the terrible things that happened there - as this novel is based around the nuclear tests that did take place in Australia during the 1950s and how they affected the indigenous population and the soldiers taking part in the tests. From that point on, I couldn't stop reading, and the mismatch between the state-of-the-art knowledge back then and what we know now is frankly horrifying and terribly poignant.
There is a series of dramatic incidents in the middle of the book and Elizabeth (by now a news journalist) travels to Australia to try to find out the truth behind what has happened. From that point, the intrigue and power-play between the various characters and who they represent becomes even stronger, until the very satisfying ending.
Whilst this is not a novel about character, that doesn't much matter as the place and the plot are the key themes here. I also very much enjoyed the sections focusing on the indigenous tribes and how they respond to what is happening in their lands. A novel to make you think.
And, yes, I must admit to my shame that I'd not heard of Maralinga and the terrible things that happened there - as this novel is based around the nuclear tests that did take place in Australia during the 1950s and how they affected the indigenous population and the soldiers taking part in the tests. From that point on, I couldn't stop reading, and the mismatch between the state-of-the-art knowledge back then and what we know now is frankly horrifying and terribly poignant.
There is a series of dramatic incidents in the middle of the book and Elizabeth (by now a news journalist) travels to Australia to try to find out the truth behind what has happened. From that point, the intrigue and power-play between the various characters and who they represent becomes even stronger, until the very satisfying ending.
Whilst this is not a novel about character, that doesn't much matter as the place and the plot are the key themes here. I also very much enjoyed the sections focusing on the indigenous tribes and how they respond to what is happening in their lands. A novel to make you think.
July 20, 2020
Another well researched historical fiction based on facts from one of my favourite authors.
The atomic bomb tests at Maralinga in the 1950s were very secretive and damaging to health and environments. Against this background, Judy Nunn produces an engaging mystery and romance. A few surprising twists near the end.
The power to love, the power to hate, the power to destroy human existence ... MARALINGA has them all! During the darkest days of the Cold War, in the remote wilderness of a South Australian desert, the future of an infant nation is being decided . . . without its people's knowledge. A British airbase in the middle of nowhere; an atomic weapons testing ground; an army of raw youth led by powerful, ambitious men - a cocktail for disaster. Such is Maralinga in the spring of 1956. MARALINGA is a story of British Lieutenant Daniel Gardiner, who accepts a twelve-month posting to the wilds of South Australia on a promise of rapid promotion; Harold Dartleigh, Deputy Director of MI-6 and his undercover operative Gideon Melbray; Australian Army Colonel Nick Stratton and the enigmatic Petraeus Mitchell, bushman and anthropologist. They all find themselves in a violent and unforgiving landscape, infected with the unique madness and excitement that only nuclear testing creates. MARALINGA is also a story of love; a love so strong that it draws the adventurous young English journalist Elizabeth Hoffmann halfway around the world in search of the truth. And MARALINGA is a story of heartbreak; heartbreak brought to the innocent First Australians who had walked their land unhindered for 40,000 years. Maralinga . . . a desolate place where history demands an emerging nation choose between hell and reason.
The atomic bomb tests at Maralinga in the 1950s were very secretive and damaging to health and environments. Against this background, Judy Nunn produces an engaging mystery and romance. A few surprising twists near the end.
The power to love, the power to hate, the power to destroy human existence ... MARALINGA has them all! During the darkest days of the Cold War, in the remote wilderness of a South Australian desert, the future of an infant nation is being decided . . . without its people's knowledge. A British airbase in the middle of nowhere; an atomic weapons testing ground; an army of raw youth led by powerful, ambitious men - a cocktail for disaster. Such is Maralinga in the spring of 1956. MARALINGA is a story of British Lieutenant Daniel Gardiner, who accepts a twelve-month posting to the wilds of South Australia on a promise of rapid promotion; Harold Dartleigh, Deputy Director of MI-6 and his undercover operative Gideon Melbray; Australian Army Colonel Nick Stratton and the enigmatic Petraeus Mitchell, bushman and anthropologist. They all find themselves in a violent and unforgiving landscape, infected with the unique madness and excitement that only nuclear testing creates. MARALINGA is also a story of love; a love so strong that it draws the adventurous young English journalist Elizabeth Hoffmann halfway around the world in search of the truth. And MARALINGA is a story of heartbreak; heartbreak brought to the innocent First Australians who had walked their land unhindered for 40,000 years. Maralinga . . . a desolate place where history demands an emerging nation choose between hell and reason.
December 28, 2021
Maralinga is a story about secrets, heartbreak, and the local community's destruction. In a remote area of South Australia in the spring of 1956, British Lieutenant Daniel Gardiner, Harold Dartleigh, Gideon Melbrary, Australian Army Colonel Nick Stratton and Petraeus Mitchell became involved with the nuclear testing at the remote British airbase. To find out what was going on at Maralinga, young English Journalists Elizabeth Hoffmann became engaged with the community. The readers of Maralinga will continue to follow all the characters to find out what happens.
Maralinga is another fantastic book by Judy Nunn, and I decided to listen to another audiobook, and I would not listen to another audiobook. I like Judy Nunn's portrayal of her characters and how they intertwine throughout this book. Maralinga is well written and researched by Judy Nunn. I like Judy Nunn's description of the settings of Maralinga that allowed me to imagine being part of the book's plot.
The readers of Maralinga will learn about the history of the British airbase and atomic weapons testing. Also, the reader's of Maralinga will understand the dangers of nuclear testing on the South Australian Community.
I recommend this book.
Maralinga is another fantastic book by Judy Nunn, and I decided to listen to another audiobook, and I would not listen to another audiobook. I like Judy Nunn's portrayal of her characters and how they intertwine throughout this book. Maralinga is well written and researched by Judy Nunn. I like Judy Nunn's description of the settings of Maralinga that allowed me to imagine being part of the book's plot.
The readers of Maralinga will learn about the history of the British airbase and atomic weapons testing. Also, the reader's of Maralinga will understand the dangers of nuclear testing on the South Australian Community.
I recommend this book.
September 7, 2020
This book about the testing of atomic bombs at a remote desert location in South Australia is well researched, interesting and heart breaking. The author’s major characters are all multi faceted and are facing the biggest challenges of their careers under the scorching sun, having to blindly believe the web of half truths and scientific mumbo jumbo while they place their lives on the line for the benefit of others. This book exposes the secrecy, the lack of safety measures, the exploitation of indigenous people and the horrors of radiation.
However it is also a love story and a story of nation building. It shows the depths of human emotion and how determination can undo the most difficult and painful bureaucratic conspiracies.
This is a truly excellent book well worth the read!
However it is also a love story and a story of nation building. It shows the depths of human emotion and how determination can undo the most difficult and painful bureaucratic conspiracies.
This is a truly excellent book well worth the read!
February 7, 2020
I read this book so many years ago & it has sat in my bookcase. Having recently visited Woomera township near Woomera testing site which is still in use and listened to Bedell's story on that trip I decided it was time to reread this book. Parts I vaguely remembered but the clarity of the secrecy and the arrogance of the British at the time appalls me. This is a well written book with attention to details and understanding of the problems faced with regard to the indigenous people. characters are totally believable, flaws and all. I recommend this although some people doobject to the romantic angle in some of Judy Nunn's books
March 29, 2025
Roughly 3.5 stars for me. There were some parts that dragged and it took a while for the main plot to reveal itself. The grand conspiracy was a bit of a let down too (communist spies in the Aussie desert - really??). The ending was not as satisfying as I hoped. Elizabeth started out as such a strong character, really engaging and likeable, but she kind of let me down as the story progressed to the point she just fizzled out. Also for a book about such a fascinating and complex period of Australian history it didn’t really focus on Australian perspectives and characters as much I expected. Still the audiobook was fantastically read and engaging.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 3, 2018
I generally love fictionalised history ... and I learned heaps about the atomic tests at Maralinga in 1956 and was saddened by the lack of respect or even interest in the indigenous people. I agree with other reviewers that the sex scenes didn't really add anything to the story and that the characters were a bit caricturised with Lord Dartleigh often saying 'what' at the end of his sentences (do they really say that?) and the homosexual's a bit over the top.
Having said that it was easy to get drawn in and enjoy the growing love story as well as the many surprises along the way.
Having said that it was easy to get drawn in and enjoy the growing love story as well as the many surprises along the way.
March 11, 2018
It is obvious Judy Nunn has done a great deal of research for this book, which is the reason I am giving it 3 and a half stars. The whole shocking affair resonates still today as we discover things that transpired many years ago that are now having an effect on our health etc.
I found the nuclear testing part of the story most interesting. Although I knew it had been carried out and the scandalous stories that followed it, Nunn adds another dimension...of how it affected the lives of the Aboriginal people and others drawn into a seemingly innocent experiment.
I found the nuclear testing part of the story most interesting. Although I knew it had been carried out and the scandalous stories that followed it, Nunn adds another dimension...of how it affected the lives of the Aboriginal people and others drawn into a seemingly innocent experiment.
September 29, 2018
This book was selected by our Book Club because nobody seemed to know much about the title. We all learnt far more than any of us anticipated, I think. It was extremely well researched and reflected the times very well. I have to admit to seeing my father reflected almost too closely in a couple of situations.
It certainly presented an interesting story with an historical backdrop most of us know little about.
It provided history probably more of us could be exposed to. It stared predictably enough but there were certainly twists and turns I didn’t see coming.
Highly recommended.
It certainly presented an interesting story with an historical backdrop most of us know little about.
It provided history probably more of us could be exposed to. It stared predictably enough but there were certainly twists and turns I didn’t see coming.
Highly recommended.
March 28, 2022
A SA road trip novel. Introduced to this author by Paula, reading Khaki Town about Townsville in WW2. An engrossing page turning read for a holiday, about a part of Australia's history. The elements of UK ambition and colonial disdain for anything Oz; the treatment of the scientists vs the forces personnel; the excitement of the blokes being part of something so new but then realising they were just fodder for a big experiment; the complete dismissal of any Aboriginal people; a complicit press. A great read, with no heroes.
May 22, 2017
Great read. So interesting to read about the British Nuclear testing in Maralinga in the 1950s. Absolutely appalling the thinking of those in power. So naive the government of Australia.
Judy Nunn has spun a wonderful story around this setting. I love how she has entwined the Aboriginal story through out.
I would really recommend this book, and will be now hunting down another Judy Nunn novel to read.
Judy Nunn has spun a wonderful story around this setting. I love how she has entwined the Aboriginal story through out.
I would really recommend this book, and will be now hunting down another Judy Nunn novel to read.
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