The Story Thief

by Kyra Geddes

Fact and fiction meld into one in this stirring family saga set against shifting landscapes and pivotal moments in Australian history.

Lillian was born in 1892, the same year Henry Lawson wrote 'The Drover's Wife' and cemented his place in Australia's literary canon. When Lillian reads the short story as a teenager, she is convinced that it is based upon her own family and becomes determined to prove it. But as the years pass, the truth becomes more problematic, and Lillian must decide what is more holding onto the past or embracing the future.

The Story Thief is about mothers and daughters, love, loss and the power of words. Ultimately it is about how each of us must find our own way to live.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Book Club, Audiobook

432 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 30, 2024

About the author

Born in Adelaide, with German-Italian heritage, Kyra Geddes spent her infancy on the South Australian opal fields before moving to Sydney. Following a successful career in marketing, Kyra returned to university to study English and pursue her life-long dream of writing, earning the Vice-Chancellor's Award for Academic Excellence. THE STORY THIEF is her debut novel and the culmination of almost a decade of research and writing. When not at her desk, Kyra can often be found visiting one of Sydney's many art galleries or daydreaming about future travel with her husband and two children.

Reviews

[Anna Loder · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this Australian historical fiction which looks at the ‘baby on the left hip’ of the drover’s wife and imagines her life. I loved my time with Lillian, I felt she couldn’t have been more real to me. I loved seeing Australia coming of age through her eyes. This is a story that very much does look at love and loss, the power of words and who gets to tell what stories. I could not believe how much fact was here; so much I assumed was fiction, I have gone down so many rabbit holes!!!! I absolutely adored it and felt so lucky to have been able to read an advanced copy. What a masterpiece!

[Belinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book to be savoured and enjoyed. Lillian takes us on a journey through the most significant Australian historical events from 19oo to the 1950s, and pays tribute to some of Australia's greatest writers and artists. It's a highly accomplished, mature debut. It stands out in the historical fiction genre because Kyra Geddes has not just undertaken impeccable research, she has also embodied the period. The voice and tone of the story are in keeping with an Australian classic novel. She keeps the attention of the reader not through plot devices, but by taking us on an addictive emotional journey with the main character. Beautifully written and highly recommended.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Don’t ever let a man tell you what to do, not even your own husband.”

What remarkable story about one woman’s life. A fictional story filled with facts and real places, real people and real events in Australian history.

There are also references and retellings throughout the book about Henry Lawson’s classic ‘The Drover’s Wife’ and Henry Lawson himself, however this story is about Lillian.

From a young child to a grandmother, I absolutely loved being taken along Lillian’s journey. I really admired her. This book was so beautifully written, I easily stepped back in time reading this book.

I really liked how suburbs in Sydney were mentioned and real landmarks and places were visited. They were familiar and relatable to me which was nice. It was fascinating reading about all of the historical events, no matter how many times I read about them I’m always learning something new.

This story is also about love and loss, mother’s grief and pain, relationships with daughters, friendship and feminism. Highly recommend to lovers of historical fiction.

“Your figure suits you perfectly - it’s as generous as your spirit. Don’t ever apologise for either.”

Thank you @affirmpress for sending me this copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Theresa Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

This story opens with Lillian as a child, living in the bush with her parents and four siblings, her father a drover, constantly away for work, and her mother, therefore by default, ‘the Drover’s Wife’. In the prologue, Lillian’s mother and siblings, along with her uncle, perish in a raging bush fire, leaving the eight-year-old Lillian an orphan. However, instead of hardship ahead of her, a benefactor steps in, her father’s employer, who pays for her to attend a convent boarding school and then university beyond that. Her father only features in the story as the drover off working, who later passes away from a fever but never sees his daughter even once after the tragic fire.

At the age of sixteen, while at school, Lillian is exposed to Henry Lawson’s story, The Drover’s Wife, and immediately becomes obsessed with the idea that Henry Lawson must have met her mother and her family and then written about them. This then morphs into her believing that Henry Lawson has stolen her family’s story, specifically that of her mother, and become famous on the back of it. If you’re worried I’ve just spoiled the story, don’t be. All of this happens by the end of chapter two.

A flimsy theory, but Lillian was sixteen and alone when she formed this belief. I could credit it for a while, but the woman is beyond fifty years old before she really lets it go and accepts that there is almost no likelihood of Henry Lawson having written his story based upon her family, and also, moreover, that all stories are in effect taken from someone or something, that authors are always seeking inspiration from the real world. As an English teacher and avid reader, it took Lillian a very long time to arrive at this realisation.

Now, many of you who have been with me for the long run might remember that I began my blogging and reviewing days as editor of historical fiction with the Australian Women Writer’s Challenge. As such, it pains me to no end to not like this novel and to also feel compelled to draw attention to why. Historical fiction has come a long way, so far, and so much for the better. I still love reading historical fiction, but I read far less of it now than what I used to, for many and varied reasons. I digress here, but to circle back to my point, this novel, The Story Thief, is not an example of the finest in terms of Australian historical fiction.

For most of this novel, I just kept asking out loud, what is this even about? Because beyond the above outline, it is incredibly encyclopaedic. It’s like the author just put in everything to happen of significance in Australia between the years of 1900 and 1960. It was fact dump after fact dump, even woven into dialogue, which was not natural at all. By the halfway mark, I had started to skim read, and this was a long book too, near on 400 pages. Perhaps if the author had just stuck with making this a story about identity, with a few key themes and events thrown in, it would have worked better. I have no doubt that Trove is a treasure trove when it comes to finding out things about our history, but sometimes less is better, quality over quantity, and all that jazz.

As to Lillian, the protagonist of the story. For the most part, I liked her, enjoyed her as a character, until the point where she deliberately estranged herself from her daughter, her only living child. I found that bizarre in a character who had lamented for the majority of the story the loss of her own mother. From this point on, I just couldn’t wait to be done with it.

In the meantime, I really wish I’d picked a different book for my long weekend read.

Thanks to the publisher for the review copy.

[Craig and Phil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Big thanks to Affirm Press for sending us a copy to read and review.
Although a young history by comparison Australia does have notable and iconic standouts.
Henry Lawson is a name most are aware of and his work is so well known around the world.
Where did his inspiration come from?
Lillian was born in tough country in 1892 and was lucky to survive a devastating bushfire.
Whilst studying The Drovers Wife at school she was taken aback how familiar the fable resembled her family life.
The niggle persisted through her life and felt cheated her story was stolen.
The first half of the 1900s shaped Australia and the wars defined the nation and its efforts recognised around the globe.
Lillian married and raised her children in between the wars.
The home front may not have had the conflict of most but the loss, sacrifice and suffering was immense.
Social attitudes and policy also shaped the fabric of society and Lillian made poor choices which she laid the price.
This was fascinating as it was based on fact and well reimagined in part.
It captured a formative part of our history and gave insight into how the people may felt during world events.
Lillian like Lawson reiterate that we live in a meritocratic society with an emerging identity.

[Kris McCracken · Rating 2 out of 5]

“The Story Thief” by Kyra Geddes is a novel that, unfortunately, falls short in several areas. The plot feels rather disjointed, making it difficult to follow the narrative’s flow and leaving readers feeling disconnected. The storytelling itself is quite pedestrian, lacking the spark and creativity that could have brought the story to life.

Moreover, the central character is extremely unlikable, which makes it challenging to invest in their journey. While the premise had potential, the execution leaves much to be desired.

⭐ ⭐

[Bec · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Lord knows men have a lot to answer for, but women can be just as stupid all on their own too"

Slow burn but an excellent read

[Louise · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Story Thief is an unusual story concerning the lives of Henry Lawson and Lillian Taylor, a young girl who believes that her family was the one described by Lawson in his famous story The Drover's Wife. (first appeared in 1892).  The novel traces Lillian's obsession with the story and how this preoccupation shapes her life.

There are pertinent references to the state of Australian culture in the early to middle 20th century. Literature, art collection (Russell Drysdale's work in particular ) art galleries and architecture receive special attention.

Another major concern of the novel is the limited access to education and employment for women in the early and middle stages of the 20th century. Lillian Taylor only receives a high school and tertiary education through the beneficence of a well-to-do family friend. Henry Lawson's mother Louisa Lawson is credited with being one of the first to champion women's rights.

[Tori · Rating 3 out of 5]

The epitome of an Australian novel with everything from bushfires, war, the language, names and more. A lovely read built on a premise that Henry Lawson stole the MCs family story to write The Drovers Wife. Not a huge level of depth, but if you enjoy a pleasant and quick Australian history read, you'll enjoy this.

[Sarah Clutton · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Story Thief has been exquisitely researched and written – this is a masterclass in the first half of 20th Century Sydney and Australia and a lovely story that delves deeply into the literary and artistic world of that time. I really enjoyed Lillian’s story – her upbringing as a drover’s daughter, her tumultuous early life and the love story that follows, then the awful grief brought about by WW2. From the minutiae of daily habits and happenings, to the large-scale political events, there is so much brilliant research woven into this cracker of a tale. A wonderful debut by Kyra Geddes – and such talented narration of the audiobook by Jennifer Vuletic (I bought a hard copy for my friend, but half my reading is with audiobooks – and this one is great!)

[Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The diligence and research of this novel is incredible and I felt like I was in very capable hands. I like to believe this version of events is true.

[Linda Klein · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thoughtful and clever read, combining historical facts intertwined with a fictional story of the main character Lillian.
A wonderful debut novel by Kyra Geddes. Looking forward to reading her future books.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written and gives you a lot to think about. It's interesting to see how little feminism has progressed in some ways we are still fighting the same battles a Lillian was in the early 1900s

[Liz Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous. Beautifully written, incredibly researched, poignant, original and compelling - all the best ingredients of historical fic.

[Adriarn Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

A captivating family saga that blends fact and fiction, set amidst breathtaking landscapes and spanning various eras. The works of Henry Lawson and the mention of T.A.G. Hungerford had me hooked from the start. I found the complex family dynamics to be particularly engrossing.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Story Thief by Kyra Geddes is a remarkable, encouraging story intertwined with fact and fiction.

I found it very clever, indeed.

It starts in the 1900's and ends in the 1940's.

I read this book in three parts over one week.

Primarily, it focuses on Henry Lawson, the famous bush poet and writer and the story and painting, The Drover's Wife and how they may be connected in Lillian's mind.

The main character in the book, Lillian was born on the same year as Henry Lawson who wrote The Drover's Wife.

After tragedy occurs in Lillian's own private life she believes the short story, The Drover's Wife may be based on her very own family and history.

The Story Thief by Kyra Geddes is a totally wonderful Australian read ~ I'm so glad I didn't miss out on reading this.

It's not just about what we believe in and imagine in this story but about what's real today and how we deal and react to it to give us the life we have now.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Story Thief by Kyra Geddes and found it to be a totally engaging story set mostly in Sydney and other areas nearby.

I could totally relate to this whole story having grown up and lived in most of the places in Sydney and revisiting the upper north shore where my very own grandmother resided.

I loved all the focus on gum trees, Australian birds and our wonderful art galleries, artists and rural life, the quotes taken from authors and poets throughout the story.

I would definitely recommend this book for all lovers of art 🎨, bush poetry and history.

I take my 'hat' off to Kyra Geddes for undertaking such a hard task as The Story Thief immerging fact with fiction.

It worked for me!

* Suggested recommended reading to go with this book ~ Lawson by Grantlee Kieza

[Rachel Vickers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this story. It was a nice take on the Drover's Wife...has inspired me to reread it. Thanks Kyra.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Story Thief is an Australian saga which follows Lillian Taylor from her birth in 1892 in outer western New South Wales up to her present life in 1954 in suburban Sydney. Tragic circumstances saw Lillian leave Bourke as a young girl and, through the generosity of a benefactor, become a boarder at Kincoppal Sacred Heart college in Rose Bay, Sydney.
One day Lillian chanced upon a copy of While The Billy Boils, a collection of Henry Lawson’s short stories. [Reviewer’s note: I was given a copy of this book as a prize in my own convent school days, many years ago, (although not as long ago as Lillian’s, of course). Sadly, it was destroyed in a flood in 2022.]. Lillian was struck by the story, The Drover’s Wife, and she can’t help wondering if Henry Lawson had met her family and based his story on her mother. In her determination to find out the truth, and whether he was a ‘story thief’, she wrote a letter to Henry Lawson. I won’t be putting any spoilers in here on that thread.

The twentieth century moves on as Lillian’s story unfolds through to the years of the Second World War and their aftermath. Her life is shaped by all the people who come into it, bringing happiness and, inevitably, sadness.

Kyra Geddes’ elegant prose is perfect for invoking the magnitude of the changes in Australia’s, and the world’s, history from the late nineteenth to the mid-twentieth centuries. Lillian is a deep and complicated character whose intelligence and strength, together with the kindnesses and friendships she encounters along the way, get her past her unbearably tragic beginnings and help prepare her, as far as possible, for everything her future holds.

This book was absolutely unputdownable. Congratulations Kyra Geddes. Brilliant!

Published by Affirm Press.

[Julieane M · Rating 1 out of 5]

Book club 2024

I couldn’t finish this book.

[Jo Skinner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although much of this book is fictional, it felt so real that I wanted Lillian’s story to be true. Geddes has brought early twentieth century history alive through interrogating the imagined lives of the unnamed women in Henry Lawson’s story, The Drover’s Wife.

The reader follows the life of Geddes’ heroine, Lillian, from her days as the young child of a drover, through her losses, grief and friendships to adulthood and old age. As Lillian seeks to learn the truth about whether she is the daughter of The Drover’s Wife, we live through the events that inform not only her life but form the foundation of modern Australia. Geddes’ meticulous research gives a face to the many nameless women who were instrumental in shaping an Australia where they do have a voice and are permitted to have dreams beyond that of family, in Lawson’s own words, are allowed, ‘… to build their castles in the air.’

In the opening of the book, I was curious about whether Lillian was really the daughter of the famous drover’s wife, who was later depicted in the famous painting by Russell Drysdale. As Lillian matures into an independent woman with strong views shaped by the historical events of her time, it became less important than journeying with her as she navigates the challenges life throws at her. Despite her sincere and possibly true belief that her family’s story was stolen, Lillian creates her own narrative, her own life and learns that once our stories are told, they belong to all of us and will continue to be shaped by public and private opinion.

A beautifully written novel that will no doubt become part of the rich literary canon exploring not only Henry Lawson’s work but the way historical events have shaped women’s place in modern Australia.

[Dalene Mactier · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book begins with promise — the theme of stolen stories, Henry Lawson’s literary shadow, and feminist undercurrents about women’s lives being defined by men. These threads intrigued me. But as the story unfolded, it leaned more towards period drama than fully realised historical fiction. The setting provided context rather than being inseparable from the story. Honestly, if Lillian had been born in 1946 rather than 1892, much of the book could still have been written — except for the Henry Lawson connection.

The pacing skipped through life milestones — marriage, children, estrangements, reconciliations — rather than immersing us in lived historical texture. Overall the “story theft” theme felt underdeveloped and a little wobbly against the weight of domestic drama.

As a protagonist, Lillian struck me as ordinary, rather than compelling. She wasn’t especially likeable or unlikeable — just reasonable, pragmatic, and often contradictory. Her early independence seemed more about survival than fierce feminism, and while there’s a feminist thread to the book, she isn’t written as a bold feminist figure. Roy, by contrast, came across as the more likeable presence, though perhaps that’s because we only ever saw him through Lillian’s eyes. One can't help but wonder what is was that attracted Roy to Lillian?

The ending was satisfactory: Marjorie reconciles with her mother, proving herself a capable woman, and Lillian finally forgives herself. It wrapped up neatly, if predictably.

Overall, this was a solid read with flashes of insight and historical interest, but it didn’t fully convince me as historical fiction, nor did it leave me with a protagonist who stayed vividly in my mind.

[Michele (michelethebookdragon) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Story Thief is a beautifully imagined story that I thoroughly enjoyed reading.

Who owns a story? That is the question raised in this book. Henry Lawson was sent out to the bush to see what life was like and write stories based on what he saw. These stories became synonymous with Australian life and extremely popular with people from all walks of life.

Young Lillian Taylor is an orphan, her family all gone. With a generous benefactor paying for her education she has hope for the future. When she reads The Drover's Wife as a teen she is shocked to recognise her family in the words. Did Henry Lawson meet her mother and siblings? With her family tragically gone, Lillian is not sure how she feels about the story the way Henry Lawson told it.

Lillian Taylor is one of the strongest female characters I have read and her determination to be the best wife, lover, mother, daughter and friend is filled with incredible highs and heartbreaking lows. She is not submissive at all, but everything she does is for others. The hold that The Drover's Wife has on her over the years determines so much for her.

This story is also a love letter to the Sydney of yesteryear. So incredibly researched, so many of the buildings, places and homes in the book are still there and I loved googling to get further information on them.

[Sonia Bowers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 1 in 2025
Title :- The Story Thief
Author :- Kyra Geddes
Pages :- 406 pages
Genre :- Historical Fiction Australian

It all begins with Lillian, and her belief that Henry Lawson’s poem “the drovers wife” is about her family that she lost tragically as a child. Throughout Lillian’s life, we see war, love, loss, family drama and woven through it all is Australian history, literature and art with Henry Lawson’s life and works as the feature.

Such an enjoyable read, that was very familiar and relatable and had me delving for my phone to do research and learning more about one of my favourite poets.

Page 97
A world-renowned storyteller he might be, but he was also a story thief

Page 157
“I always keep a spud and sharp knife in the car. Hope for the best but be ready for the worst, that’s my motto.”

Page 168
Semper Ad Meliora ~ always towards better things

Page 393
And finally, the most important lesson of all, one that I was still learning for myself. I would tell her that if you don't like how a story ends - how your story ends - you can always start a new one.

[Robyn Haynes · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Story Thief follows the life of the most wonderfully warm and engaging protagonist - Lillian. Tragically orphaned at a young age, Lillian's life takes on new meaning after she reads Henry Lawson's short story, 'The Drover's Wife'. Destiny then offers Lillian a life she never imagined, whilst simultaneously searching for the truth behind the real characters of Lawson's story. A perfectly constructed mixture of fact and fiction, Kyra Geddes cleverly guides the reader through the streets and iconic landmarks of Sydney in the early 1900's. Beautifully written, this novel is evocative, charming, entertaining, harrowing and uplifting. Most of all, it's page turning, and one of the best debut novels I've read in a long time. Congratulations.

[Andrea Barton]

The concept of The Story Thief by Kyra Geddes grabbed me immediately: Lilian believes Henry Lawson’s short story, “The Drover’s Wife”, written the year she was born, was based on her family. Her obsession with Henry Lawson lasts a lifetime.
This family saga plays out against a backdrop of key historical events, which Kyra has researched impeccably. Her vivid description of iconic settings, flora and fauna had me immersed in sights, sounds and smells of Australia.
Lilian’s tragic start to life gives her emotional wounds that she battles to overcome. I was cheering her on, hoping she could establish enduring connections to her husband and family. An engaging read.

[Giovanna Walker · Rating 2 out of 5]

An easy to read story.
I suspended disbelief in the protagonist believing the Lawson story was about her family (it got tedious, I can tell you); also her quite modern thinking that was interspersed with mores of the time (didn't seem plausible).
The continuous history lesson in the background about happenings around the time of the story, grated on me after a while, whilst it was interesting, I'm not sure how it helped the story itself. Also the addition of prominent locals of the time, whilst diversionary, again, I'm not sure how it helped the story.
Ok for a holiday read, or perhaps younger readers.

[Alison Monaghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I devoured 'The Story Thief' and didn't want it to end. It's an intergenerational tale which reimagines the true history of Henry Lawson's 'The Drover's Wife' through a feminist lens. The characters are well realised and a pleasure to spend time with as they traverse Geddes' richly realised historical world which focuses on Australia in the first half of the twentieth century. 'The Story Thief' is a satisfying and engrossing read - highly recommend.

[Helen Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It’s written with so much heart and emotion for the era it is set. The location descriptions set the scenes exquisitely right through the story. So much research has obviously be done to make this a thoroughly enjoyable story while weaving Australian literary history, war history and a wonderful fictional story. I’m certainly looking forward to more of Kyra Geddes’ books in the future.

[MelbourneSharonB · Rating 4 out of 5]

My enjoyment of this book may have been influenced by my enjoyment of the writings of Henry Lawson - though Kyra Geddes, with her own writing style, is no Henry Lawson.
But I did enjoy the plot: the family saga and the protagonist's perceived link with the Drover's wife. This is not really a warm and fuzzy book, instead a it explores both the harshness of Australia's rural life and then World War One.

[Peter S · Rating 3 out of 5]

aAbook that is obviously extremely well researched with Australian non fiction identities and events mingled in which I found some a little unnecessary in the telling of the story. The last 100 pages "kick with the wind" and elevate the book. I thought that the book could have easily finished at the penultimate chapter and not needed the "Epilogue" titled final chapter.