While In Darkness There Is Light: Idealism and Tragedy on an Australian Commune

by Louella Bryant, Howard Dean

For many young men, it is not until they strip away everything they’ve known that they can begin to live according to the morals and values they believe are truly their own. Some fall victim to poor judgment and an ingenuous trust in human nature that leads them to suffer deadly consequences. In 1970 a group of young American ex-pats from wealthy families dropped out of college and establish Rosebud Farm in Far North Queensland to establish their ideal society. When Charlie Dean, a headstrong farm resident for the past year, decides to leave and explore Southeast Asia, he and an Australian companion are captured by Laotian communists and held in a rainforest prison camp. In spite of the Dean family’s efforts, both young men suffer an unthinkable fate.

265 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2008

About the author

Louella Bryant’s novel WILLIE, RUM RUNNING QUEEN launched in early 2025 with Black Rose Writing. Her 2023 novel SHELTERING ANGEL, BASED ON A TRUE STORY OF THE TITANIC, has been a #1 bestseller on Amazon Kindle. Hot Springs and Moonshine Liquor, a family memoir follows the historic trail of bootleg liquor since the Revolutionary War. Louella's WWII novel Cowboy Code is based on the true story of a Virginia mountain town. Other books include While In Darkness There Is Light, nonfiction about the Vietnam era, a story collection, and two Civil War novels for young adult readers. Her award-winning writing has appeared in magazines and anthologies. A graduate of George Washington University and Vermont College of Fine Arts, Louella works as an independent editor. Visit her website at https://louellabryant.com.

Reviews

[Diana Eberhardt · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sad ending to adventuring.
Most of the book was about where and how people met, made plans, changed plans, and lived communally. Neither a compelling story nor compelling writing.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very compelling story. I really appreciated how it weaved in history and the political climate as a way to examine the lives of these people. I felt like I got a sense of the generational shift during the Vietnam era in a way I'd never had before.

[John]

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[Margie L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book even though it was very painful to know how things ended on the commune. My sympathies go out to the families.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

On my MFA reading list. Quite compelling--redolent of Jon Krakauer's Into the Wild.

[Louella Bryant · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful read about youthful idealism, its beauty and its tragedy. A cautionary tale for young adults and adults alike.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very compelling story that is beautifully written by a favorite Vermont author.

[Carolyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting book but not as well written as I would expect from Dzanc Books.