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The Pedestrian
As a child, Frederick Morton lives with his broken family in a Stepney slum, mudlarking on the Thames riverbank to survive. Through the sponsorship of Lord Bartholomew Forgill, Frederick gains a top-notch education. One night, however, staying at the Forgill residence, he witnesses a distressing incident that will haunt him through the years.
At twenty-five, now an engineer in Lord Forgill’s steam engine company, Frederick falls for Clare, a young Frenchwoman. Forced to defend his suit with a 300-kilometre trek from Paris to the sea, Frederick discovers a talent for the Victorian-era sport of Pedestrianism.
When Forgill’s son Percy terminates Frederick’s employment, the former slum-dweller establishes his own stationary engine factory, part-funded by prize money from pedestrian competitions. While Percy plots their downfall, the next generation of Mortons travel to Africa and Australia, marketing their innovative engines. The family stakes everything on a public float, while Clare delves into the Forgill family’s secrets.
The Pedestrian is a journey through another age, seen through the eyes of a family involved in a pivotal industry. It celebrates the power of engineering, explores a fatal rivalry, and condemns the inhuman cycle of intergenerational poverty.
At twenty-five, now an engineer in Lord Forgill’s steam engine company, Frederick falls for Clare, a young Frenchwoman. Forced to defend his suit with a 300-kilometre trek from Paris to the sea, Frederick discovers a talent for the Victorian-era sport of Pedestrianism.
When Forgill’s son Percy terminates Frederick’s employment, the former slum-dweller establishes his own stationary engine factory, part-funded by prize money from pedestrian competitions. While Percy plots their downfall, the next generation of Mortons travel to Africa and Australia, marketing their innovative engines. The family stakes everything on a public float, while Clare delves into the Forgill family’s secrets.
The Pedestrian is a journey through another age, seen through the eyes of a family involved in a pivotal industry. It celebrates the power of engineering, explores a fatal rivalry, and condemns the inhuman cycle of intergenerational poverty.
670 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 5, 2023
26 people are currently reading
804 people want to read
About the author
Greg Barron
24 books115 followersCrime, terrorism, history, international politics and the wide open spaces of outback Australia are all passionate interests of author Greg Barron. He has lived in North America, New South Wales and in and around Katherine, Northern Territory. He once crossed Arnhem Land on foot, and has a passion for the Top End landscape.
His books, published by HarperCollins Australia and Stories of Oz Publishing, are gutsy pageturners that tell the truth about the world. Rotten Gods was long listed for the prestigious Ned Kelly awards, and has been lauded as "one of the most sophisticated geopolitical thrillers ever written." Savage Tide was described by ABC Radio reviewer Rob Minshull as; "Both supremely intelligent and written at breathtaking pace."
Camp Leichhardt is the first of his Australian stories to see print, and was serialised in 2016 to wide acclaim. Rotten Gods, Savage Tide, Voodoo Dawn and Lethal Sky all feature Marika Hartmann, the Australian intelligence agent who has won the hearts of readers all over the world.
His books, published by HarperCollins Australia and Stories of Oz Publishing, are gutsy pageturners that tell the truth about the world. Rotten Gods was long listed for the prestigious Ned Kelly awards, and has been lauded as "one of the most sophisticated geopolitical thrillers ever written." Savage Tide was described by ABC Radio reviewer Rob Minshull as; "Both supremely intelligent and written at breathtaking pace."
Camp Leichhardt is the first of his Australian stories to see print, and was serialised in 2016 to wide acclaim. Rotten Gods, Savage Tide, Voodoo Dawn and Lethal Sky all feature Marika Hartmann, the Australian intelligence agent who has won the hearts of readers all over the world.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 26, 2024
I have fallen in love with this family and the ups and downs that are thrown at them almost constantly.
The Villain.... I'd love to drop a skunk bomb on and watch him have a hissy fit. (Yes I'm a bit wicked that way.)
However it is the determination and will to fight back in the most simple and somewhat interesting ways.
But to be completely honest I see my father in this so much with his own determination and skills as a millwright touching my heart the most.
The Villain.... I'd love to drop a skunk bomb on and watch him have a hissy fit. (Yes I'm a bit wicked that way.)
However it is the determination and will to fight back in the most simple and somewhat interesting ways.
But to be completely honest I see my father in this so much with his own determination and skills as a millwright touching my heart the most.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 6, 2024
Absolutely loved this book! What an epic read with wonderful characters and an enthralling plot which kept me glued to the end. Once again, Greg Barron’s research skills and writing craft are evident in this wide-ranging saga. Highly recommended.
January 6, 2024
Greg Barron’s 12th novel is a tale of 2 young men from very different backgrounds. There fortunes & futures become joined when one is taken into the other's family favour. Frederick Morton came from a poor background in 1830's London, Percy Forgil is the Son of Lord Forgil and is born into a life of privilege. When Frederick joins Percy at a private school the animosity between them begins to grow. Frederick a gifted student, takes to his lessons well. His tutors begin to realise that despite his background that he is destined to be a great scholar. Percy however is not blessed as an academic & instead sets himself the task of ruining this mudlark who his father favoured. The pedestrian follows the boys across decades as each grows to achieve their own measure of success. A tremendously well written tale spanning 75+ years. The reader will follow both Men's lives through highs and lows.
January 3, 2024
A perfect blend of historical fiction, good characters to barrack for and baddies you’ll love to hate, with a touch of romance and interesting historical detail.
October 4, 2024
I would have liked to give this book 4 1/2 stars. The only reason I wouldn't give it 5 stars is the way potentially life-threatening events and situations that threaten the life of the company are avoided by convenient solutions.
That said, I really enjoyed this book. I have no knowledge of, or interest in, the workings of engines but that didn't matter. The storyline is a rags-to-riches tale told with delicacy and powerful descriptions of places as diverse as the city of London and outback Australia.
I particularly loved the line, "Is this the start of the outback?" Anybody with any knowledge of Australia will appreciate the humour in this.
A long read but recommended.
That said, I really enjoyed this book. I have no knowledge of, or interest in, the workings of engines but that didn't matter. The storyline is a rags-to-riches tale told with delicacy and powerful descriptions of places as diverse as the city of London and outback Australia.
I particularly loved the line, "Is this the start of the outback?" Anybody with any knowledge of Australia will appreciate the humour in this.
A long read but recommended.
December 16, 2023
Omg. I don't think I have enough words to describe how much I love this book. I felt the descriptions of each character were wonderful - if they appeared at my door, I would know them.
The journey was long - I was surprised what a lengthy book it was -but it was so needed as it was a life of Frederick. This book is a lesson in being a good human.
Thank you, Greg Barron, you wrote one hell of a book.
The journey was long - I was surprised what a lengthy book it was -but it was so needed as it was a life of Frederick. This book is a lesson in being a good human.
Thank you, Greg Barron, you wrote one hell of a book.
May 16, 2025
What a great book!
So many fascinating details and very interesting characters.
I wish we all had the courage to pursue our passions in both work and hobbies as steadfastly as Frederick did throughout his life. I will forever keep Clare in my heart, this family empire would not even start without her.
So many fascinating details and very interesting characters.
I wish we all had the courage to pursue our passions in both work and hobbies as steadfastly as Frederick did throughout his life. I will forever keep Clare in my heart, this family empire would not even start without her.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews