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Pacific
A story of love, sacrifice and revenge swept along on the winds of war from the bestselling author of Territory.
From the dark days of Dunkirk to the vicious fighting that was Guadalcanal, from the sedate beauty of the English Channel ports to a tropical paradise, Pacific is Judy Nunn at her enthralling best.
From the dark days of Dunkirk to the vicious fighting that was Guadalcanal, from the sedate beauty of the English Channel ports to a tropical paradise, Pacific is Judy Nunn at her enthralling best.
Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
93 people are currently reading
435 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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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
September 25, 2019
A quite enjoyable book set in two different timelines, WW2 and the present, mainly in Vanuatu (or The New Hebrides as it was previously known). The WW2 timeline sees a young wife, Jane Thackeray, joining her missionary/doctor husband in Vila while in the present actress Sam Lindsay is on location, filming a movie based on Jane's life. The main problem I found was as the second timeline was based on the first things got a bit repetitive as the stories obviously had many similarities, and therefore the book tended to ramble on a bit long. It's not a bad book by any means, and I wouldn't hesitate to read this author again, but this one didn't quite pull it off for me.
December 13, 2024
4 ⭐️s
Listened to the audiobook via BorrowBox
Published by Bolinda audio
Read by Deidre Rubenstein
Duration: 25 hrs, 15 min. 1.25x Speed
Listened to the audiobook via BorrowBox
Published by Bolinda audio
Read by Deidre Rubenstein
Duration: 25 hrs, 15 min. 1.25x Speed
June 19, 2012
This is a really great read!
Judy Nunn has skillfully woven two fascinating stories together that are related and yet not.
The plotting is brilliant and the characters leap off the page with their wonderful dialogue and interesting traits. The storey of Samantha Lindsaey is intriguing and captured me from the outset. Then Jane Thackery's story is equally fascinating and very moving. Set mainly on the beautiful Pacific island of Vanuartu, in the village of Vila, the descriptive passages of this setting is brilliant.
Once again this talented Australian author has produced an epic that is a worthy inclusion to your Bookshelf.
Judy Nunn has skillfully woven two fascinating stories together that are related and yet not.
The plotting is brilliant and the characters leap off the page with their wonderful dialogue and interesting traits. The storey of Samantha Lindsaey is intriguing and captured me from the outset. Then Jane Thackery's story is equally fascinating and very moving. Set mainly on the beautiful Pacific island of Vanuartu, in the village of Vila, the descriptive passages of this setting is brilliant.
Once again this talented Australian author has produced an epic that is a worthy inclusion to your Bookshelf.
October 22, 2019
I liked the book. It was probably a 4.5 star book for me. It was a really good tale.
The book is set in two time periods. The first is in the present when an Australian soap star, Samantha Lindsay, gets a break for her first Hollywood movie. The movie is based on a real person "Mumma Tack". A wife of a missionary who works in Vanuatu during WWII.
The second period is the life of Jane Thackery (who is nicknamed Mumma Tack by the American servicemen, and later the locals. As Samantha begins to make the movie she uncovers parallels between her life and that of Jane Thackery.
It is a long book but it really kept me entertained. I would definitely recommend it.
The book is set in two time periods. The first is in the present when an Australian soap star, Samantha Lindsay, gets a break for her first Hollywood movie. The movie is based on a real person "Mumma Tack". A wife of a missionary who works in Vanuatu during WWII.
The second period is the life of Jane Thackery (who is nicknamed Mumma Tack by the American servicemen, and later the locals. As Samantha begins to make the movie she uncovers parallels between her life and that of Jane Thackery.
It is a long book but it really kept me entertained. I would definitely recommend it.
November 26, 2013
When I saw Judy Nunn interviewed on A Current Affair about her latest book I decided it was about time I checked her out. Pacific just happened to be the first book I downloaded to read.
I must say I thoroughly enjoyed this book, although I found the beginning a bit slow as she really delves into the background of the main character. It also took me a while to get into the rhythm of the book as she switched from Samantha in modern day to Jane and Phoebe back in time. There were times I really had to think hard to figure out who the chapter was actually about.
The story came together beautifully however, and from about half way through I just couldn't put it down. I loved the way the two stories intertwined, although it was a little unbelievable (but hey, it is fiction).
The only dislikes I had was: (hence not 5 stars)
1 - the "ghosts" that appeared, making it completely unrealistic. I felt Nunn could have achieved the same outcome using a more believable method.
2 - Samantha is just a little too perfect.
I am looking forward to reading more of what Nunn has to offer.
I must say I thoroughly enjoyed this book, although I found the beginning a bit slow as she really delves into the background of the main character. It also took me a while to get into the rhythm of the book as she switched from Samantha in modern day to Jane and Phoebe back in time. There were times I really had to think hard to figure out who the chapter was actually about.
The story came together beautifully however, and from about half way through I just couldn't put it down. I loved the way the two stories intertwined, although it was a little unbelievable (but hey, it is fiction).
The only dislikes I had was: (hence not 5 stars)
1 - the "ghosts" that appeared, making it completely unrealistic. I felt Nunn could have achieved the same outcome using a more believable method.
2 - Samantha is just a little too perfect.
I am looking forward to reading more of what Nunn has to offer.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 2, 2011
When this book arrived I was very excited to see that it was written by Judy Nunn. I grew up watching both Neighbours and Home and Away and Judy Nunn’s portrayal of Ailsa Stewart in the latter makes her feel like part of the furniture of my tv youth. I didn’t know before receiving this book that she was also an author so I couldn’t wait to get reading.
I did find it a little hard to get into Pacific. It opens with a prologue that takes place during the Dunkirk evacuation and then with the start of Book One jumps to the present day and shifts its focus to actress Samantha Lindsay. Within a chapter it then jumps back in her timeline, providing some background to her story. After shifting back into the present day for Samantha the reader is once more transported back to the pre-war years introducing yet more characters including Jane who was to become a key character in the novel. I found all of this jumping around in two different timelines quite difficult to get on with, the moves weren’t seamless and I felt that just as I started to settle into the book it changed again.
Thankfully when Book Two starts (in addition to a prologue and epilogue the novel is divided into three books) everything starts to settle down. The pre-war and war time plots turn out to be part of the same story focussing on Jane’s story set in the New Hebrides and Samantha’s story remains in the present day. Both plots then move along well, though at times the move between plots feels quite annoying – I found particularly with Jane’s story I wanted to keep reading about it and then I was pulled back to Sam’s story. I became glad as the book progressed and more time was spent on Jane’s story than Sam’s.
As the blurb suggests the parallels between Jane’s story and the film Sam is starring in mean that the two plots do end up being tied together to a certain extent by the end of the book. I did spend a lot of time wishing that Nunn had chosen to tell Jane’s story only, for a long time it didn’t feel that Sam’s story added anything to the book. By the end I could understand why Sam’s story was there, it was used well by Nunn. I still feel however that I would have preferred it if the book had been solely about Jane and her life in the New Hebrides – this was a far more interesting story and could have been expanded to stand alone in my opinion.
I adored the character of Jane, the way she developed over the course of the book from a relatively gentle and mild girl into a strong and confidant woman was wonderful. She’s painted as a clearly loved character and I had no difficulties in believing this of her. The characters she was surrounded by were also brilliant to read, including some delightfully written children. I found myself falling for Wolf Baker, he was certainly a character I’d have loved to read more about.
The characters in Sam’s side of the story were perhaps a little less loveable though this may be just because I didn’t enjoy that part of the book quite so much. I think they were all well created characters, and they were all very believable. I just didn’t take to them quite so much.
Whilst I had some issues with the book, once I got into it I did really enjoy reading it. I would certainly be willing to read more by Judy Nunn because when this book was good it was downright brilliant.
I did find it a little hard to get into Pacific. It opens with a prologue that takes place during the Dunkirk evacuation and then with the start of Book One jumps to the present day and shifts its focus to actress Samantha Lindsay. Within a chapter it then jumps back in her timeline, providing some background to her story. After shifting back into the present day for Samantha the reader is once more transported back to the pre-war years introducing yet more characters including Jane who was to become a key character in the novel. I found all of this jumping around in two different timelines quite difficult to get on with, the moves weren’t seamless and I felt that just as I started to settle into the book it changed again.
Thankfully when Book Two starts (in addition to a prologue and epilogue the novel is divided into three books) everything starts to settle down. The pre-war and war time plots turn out to be part of the same story focussing on Jane’s story set in the New Hebrides and Samantha’s story remains in the present day. Both plots then move along well, though at times the move between plots feels quite annoying – I found particularly with Jane’s story I wanted to keep reading about it and then I was pulled back to Sam’s story. I became glad as the book progressed and more time was spent on Jane’s story than Sam’s.
As the blurb suggests the parallels between Jane’s story and the film Sam is starring in mean that the two plots do end up being tied together to a certain extent by the end of the book. I did spend a lot of time wishing that Nunn had chosen to tell Jane’s story only, for a long time it didn’t feel that Sam’s story added anything to the book. By the end I could understand why Sam’s story was there, it was used well by Nunn. I still feel however that I would have preferred it if the book had been solely about Jane and her life in the New Hebrides – this was a far more interesting story and could have been expanded to stand alone in my opinion.
I adored the character of Jane, the way she developed over the course of the book from a relatively gentle and mild girl into a strong and confidant woman was wonderful. She’s painted as a clearly loved character and I had no difficulties in believing this of her. The characters she was surrounded by were also brilliant to read, including some delightfully written children. I found myself falling for Wolf Baker, he was certainly a character I’d have loved to read more about.
The characters in Sam’s side of the story were perhaps a little less loveable though this may be just because I didn’t enjoy that part of the book quite so much. I think they were all well created characters, and they were all very believable. I just didn’t take to them quite so much.
Whilst I had some issues with the book, once I got into it I did really enjoy reading it. I would certainly be willing to read more by Judy Nunn because when this book was good it was downright brilliant.
June 5, 2012
This book is really two stories in one, skillfully woven together by Judy Nunn. It begins with the story of Samantha, an Australian actress who succeeds on the stage in London, and is then cast in the starring role of 'Torpedo Junction', a Hollywood film set in Vanuatu in the war years. Bit by bit,we then learn the story of Jane Thackeray,a missionary's wife, albeit a very beautiful one, who is loved, and called 'Mama Tack',by the natives. It is on her life that the film is based and, for me, that was the most interesting and engrossing of the two stories. Having said that I must add that I enjoyed the book as a whole.
November 18, 2025
I love a good dual-timeline story and this was no exception. Jumping between the New Hebrides (now Vanuatu) in the 1940s and 2003, this was a really well-written and interesting novel, with the two timelines skilfully woven together. Extra points for the gorgeous cover, which was what drew me to it in the first place.
February 26, 2015
Not Judy Nunns best book but i still enjoyed it. I didn't like how Jane jumped in bed with wolf before the offical word that her husband died. And a big continuation error when Wolf took her up in the plane that had been crashed and sunk earlier in the story?????
January 23, 2008
One of her best, I couldnt this book down what a great story, I took a long time to finish the last couple of paragraphs as I didnt want it to end.
March 30, 2009
This book kept me turning the pages. What wonderful twists and turns as the 2 plots became one. Loved it!
Judy Nunn is a master storyteller
Judy Nunn is a master storyteller
January 1, 2012
This book is a wonderful read. Full of history and very well written.
January 18, 2013
Not as good as some of her others, but still very well written and engaging.
April 30, 2012
Very enjoyable read wrapped around another interesting history lesson. Love your work Judy.
March 27, 2017
Oh my giddy Aunt, what a book! As usual, Judy Nunn does an incredible job of weaving a gorgeous tale full of drama, love (in all its forms), revenge and family ties.
Sam Lindsay is an up-and-coming Australian actress. She starts off like a lot of young actors in Australia, working on a soapie. She wants to work in London, in theatre, and she achieves her ambition. I found myself really liking Sam, her no-nonsense and yet warm personality really endeared me to her.
When Sam goes to Vanuatu to shoot her first movie, that is when things really get interesting. I found myself wanting to go to Vanuatu after the descriptions in this book! I also enjoyed reading about the acting process and the tricks that make-up artists use, you learn something new every day :)
This book is really quite hard to categorise. A family saga spanning several generations is probably the best way I can think of to describe it, it has such depth. I found myself laughing and crying during the reading of this book, which is why I gave it five stars.
Can't wait to read another Judy Nunn....although I might need to wait a bit because I am still thinking about this one :)
Sam Lindsay is an up-and-coming Australian actress. She starts off like a lot of young actors in Australia, working on a soapie. She wants to work in London, in theatre, and she achieves her ambition. I found myself really liking Sam, her no-nonsense and yet warm personality really endeared me to her.
When Sam goes to Vanuatu to shoot her first movie, that is when things really get interesting. I found myself wanting to go to Vanuatu after the descriptions in this book! I also enjoyed reading about the acting process and the tricks that make-up artists use, you learn something new every day :)
This book is really quite hard to categorise. A family saga spanning several generations is probably the best way I can think of to describe it, it has such depth. I found myself laughing and crying during the reading of this book, which is why I gave it five stars.
Can't wait to read another Judy Nunn....although I might need to wait a bit because I am still thinking about this one :)
May 11, 2018
A marvelous twin story of now and then taking place in the colonial islands of New Hebrides which now is Vanuatu. It takes on the downfall of the colonialism that was prevalent. These islands had the double whammy of both England and France as manipulation is put in place in hopes of singular ownership. But, the islanders are finally fed up with the brutal colonialist regimes that treat the indigenous people unfairly.
A young Australian a actress travels to Vanuatu to make a film based on a local woman who came to be famous as she supported the independent nation to become a reality. WW II rages in the nearby Guadalcanal. The actress in an attempt to do research on Mama Tack takes up a relationship with his grandson in hopes of discovering the real Mama Tack. She discovers despite her famous status her life was full of disappointments which she got through with charm and grace.
I ate this book up, and would read into the night discovering the fascinating era of the 1940s. But there was only one part of this book that should have not made the final cut. When the world of ghostly influence became the prevalent factor of the romance. Frankly, what was the point ‼️😕
A young Australian a actress travels to Vanuatu to make a film based on a local woman who came to be famous as she supported the independent nation to become a reality. WW II rages in the nearby Guadalcanal. The actress in an attempt to do research on Mama Tack takes up a relationship with his grandson in hopes of discovering the real Mama Tack. She discovers despite her famous status her life was full of disappointments which she got through with charm and grace.
I ate this book up, and would read into the night discovering the fascinating era of the 1940s. But there was only one part of this book that should have not made the final cut. When the world of ghostly influence became the prevalent factor of the romance. Frankly, what was the point ‼️😕
November 16, 2020
Another great read from one of my favourite storytellers.
Nunn is able to actually tell more than one story as background for the central narrative.
Her books are long with complex plots that flow back and forth in time and location, making a challenging but enjoyable read.
One minor quibble I had was that some of the main characters were almost too good to be true, but not enough to be unlikeable.
A story of love, sacrifice and revenge swept along on the winds of war from the bestselling author of Territory.
From the dark days of Dunkirk to the vicious fighting that was Guadalcanal, from the sedate beauty of the English Channel ports to a tropical paradise, Pacific is Judy Nunn at her enthralling best.
Nunn is able to actually tell more than one story as background for the central narrative.
Her books are long with complex plots that flow back and forth in time and location, making a challenging but enjoyable read.
One minor quibble I had was that some of the main characters were almost too good to be true, but not enough to be unlikeable.
A story of love, sacrifice and revenge swept along on the winds of war from the bestselling author of Territory.
From the dark days of Dunkirk to the vicious fighting that was Guadalcanal, from the sedate beauty of the English Channel ports to a tropical paradise, Pacific is Judy Nunn at her enthralling best.
November 20, 2017
A wonderful story, melding the present with the past as an actress takes on the part of Mamma Tack for a movie shot on location in Vanuatu. Sensitively woven, I enjoyed the insights into the making of the movie, the romance and the fascinating life of the original strong and dedicated woman.
January 21, 2019
Epic tapestry of lives and history connected through the mysterious. The nature of life’s paths become a question of coincidence or fate. Inspiring characters and colourful insight into the modern history of Vanuatu.
January 30, 2022
Very long 661 pages. Australian actress goes to England and buys house then goes to Vanuatu for a movie. 2 stories together - one in WWII and one now. Linked together with ghosts. Very weird but the story of Vanuatu was really interesting.
November 20, 2022
I’ve read a few Judy Nunn books and generally found them enjoyable reading but this one was a struggle. Too much gibberish about movie sets and filming references that weren’t necessary for the story. I can honestly say it took 500 pages before I felt excited but the events of the story…
November 13, 2025
I love this author - thoroughly recommend.
Love Judy from Fred Bear days. She writes about Australia which is very good, details about the times and areas which have been well researched.
Love Judy from Fred Bear days. She writes about Australia which is very good, details about the times and areas which have been well researched.
November 16, 2017
Finally finished this book, i did enjoy the story but found myself not really intrigued until about the middle of the book.
August 12, 2018
Het oude verhaal in dit boek is zeer boeiend om te lezen. Het nu verhaal vond ik in het begin een beetje saai. Pas erg laat kom je erachter waarom dat verhaal ertoe doet.
December 19, 2019
Enjoyable, but not a favourite. I actually skipped bits and could still pick up the story further along.
January 29, 2020
I seriously thought about dnf. This took such a long time to really grab me. But by the end - wow. I’ll be enjoying another Judy Nunn novel shortly. She is such a fantastic storyteller.
March 18, 2021
Again a great take on the history of the Pacific War in two timelines
January 1, 2022
As usual Judy Nunn has woven a fictional story around many historical facts. A long book but worth the read. The characters were well rounded and believable. Got quite immersed in the story.
March 5, 2022
Was a little harder to get into compared to ger more recent books, mainly due to the lack of dates. Once into it was engaging.
May 30, 2023
Beautifully written.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews