Fires of Fortune: A sweeping Australian saga about love and understanding

by Patricia Shaw

River of the Sun revealed the indomitable spirit of former slave girl Diamond. Now her intrepid son faces his own struggle for survival... Patricia Shaw's Fires of Fortune is the thought-provoking sequel to the unforgettable saga, River of the Sun. The perfect read for fans of Tricia McGill and Fleur McDonald. As a boy, Ben Beckman is sheltered from the harsher aspects of life by his Aborigine mother Diamond, who is all too familiar with the prejudice rife within Brisbane society. He is unaware that his father is the ruthless Ben Buchanan, a prominent figure in the state political scene. Then one appalling night Diamond's life comes to an end. Crazed with grief, Ben vandalises his neighbour Dr Thurlwell's mansion - as the doctor refused to tend his mother. Ben's actions are to have tragic consequences... Over hard years, Ben's hatred for Dr Thurwell deepens. The girl next door is Phoebe Thurlwell, whom Ben has known all his life. When she offers the hand of friendship he is still motivated by a bitter feud with her parents. Phoebe is sent away to a friend's cattle station to remove her from Ben's influence, but he follows. There he comes face to face with his own father, a far more dangerous adversary than he ever thought possible...What readers are saying about Fires of 'An imaginative and compelling account of what life was really like for early pioneers of Australia''The characters come alive and keep the reader gripped from first page to last''As always, Patricia Shaw writes a great story with great historical care'

Genres: Drama, Historical Fiction, Fiction

506 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 15, 1996

About the author

Patricia Shaw was an Australian novelist and non-fiction writer.

Reviews

[Vicki Basham · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a boy, Ben Beckman is sheltered from the harsher aspects of life by his Aborigine mother Diamond, who is all too familiar with the prejudice rife within Brisbane society. He is unaware that his father is the ruthless Ben Buchanan, a prominent figure in the state political scene. Then one appalling night Diamond's life comes to an end. Crazed with grief, Ben vandalises his neighbour Dr Thurlwell's mansion - as the doctor refused to tend his mother. Ben's actions are to have tragic consequences... Over hard years, Ben's hatred for Dr Thurwell deepens. The girl next door is Phoebe Thurlwell, whom Ben has known all his life. When she offers the hand of friendship he is still motivated by a bitter feud with her parents. Phoebe is sent away to a friend's cattle station to remove her from Ben's influence, but he follows. There he comes face to face with his own father, a far more dangerous adversary than he ever thought possible...What readers are saying about Fires of 'An imaginative and compelling account of what life was really like for early pioneers of Australia''The characters come alive and keep the reader gripped from first page to last''As always, Patricia Shaw writes a great story with great historical care'

[Monika · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Fires of Fortune" is a book that follows story of Diamond and her son Ben. I really enjoyed the simple plot and adventures of the main characters. It portrayed Australia well and its well written. Highly recommend.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely different. Interesting characters, and good historical background. It covers an era of Australian history that one hears little about.

[wendy vandaele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Once again a brilliant story lots of adventure mixed with romance and history. Loved it looking for another of her novels to read.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

She writes a great book!!!!!!

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book set in Australia in the 1890s. I think that Ben Beckman's story is probably very romanticised. I don't think that the illegitimate son of a white man and an aborigine woman would have got on so well in reality as he did! Nevertheless it made a great story. Man's inhumanity to man is much in evidence in this story and the early colonists have a great deal to be ashamed of.

[Davida · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely relaxing read, a great story interspersed with some local history.