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The Lace Balcony
Sie ist eine starke Frau. Doch das Schicksal stellt sie vor die schwerste Prüfung.
England 1827: Das Schicksal meint es nicht gut mit Vianna Francis. Als die junge Frau übel verleumdet wird, muss sie zusammen mit ihrer kleinen verwaisten Halbschwester Daisy London Hals über Kopf verlassen und nach Sydney flüchten. Da sie ohne Geld und Papiere in der neuen Heimat ankommt, bleibt ihr nichts anderes übrig, als das Angebot von George Severin anzunehmen, der zufällig auf die hübsche Frau aufmerksam wird: Er bietet ihr und Daisy ein Zuhause, wenn sie in seinem Casino reiche Männer zum Glücksspiel animiert. Schon bald verlangt Severin aber von ihr, für weitere Dienste zur Verfügung zu stehen. Als sich Vianna widersetzt, droht er, Daisy etwas anzutun. Vianna hat keine Wahl, sie muss das böse Spiel mitspielen. Doch dann scheint sich das Blatt zu wenden, denn sie bekommt Hilfe von unerwarteter Seite. Aber kann sie darauf wirklich vertrauen?
England 1827: Das Schicksal meint es nicht gut mit Vianna Francis. Als die junge Frau übel verleumdet wird, muss sie zusammen mit ihrer kleinen verwaisten Halbschwester Daisy London Hals über Kopf verlassen und nach Sydney flüchten. Da sie ohne Geld und Papiere in der neuen Heimat ankommt, bleibt ihr nichts anderes übrig, als das Angebot von George Severin anzunehmen, der zufällig auf die hübsche Frau aufmerksam wird: Er bietet ihr und Daisy ein Zuhause, wenn sie in seinem Casino reiche Männer zum Glücksspiel animiert. Schon bald verlangt Severin aber von ihr, für weitere Dienste zur Verfügung zu stehen. Als sich Vianna widersetzt, droht er, Daisy etwas anzutun. Vianna hat keine Wahl, sie muss das böse Spiel mitspielen. Doch dann scheint sich das Blatt zu wenden, denn sie bekommt Hilfe von unerwarteter Seite. Aber kann sie darauf wirklich vertrauen?
540 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2014
3 people are currently reading
31 people want to read
About the author
Johanna Nicholls
6 books15 followersJohanna Nicholls comes from a theatrical family. She was a journalist and magazine feature writer in Sydney, Melbourne and London. In television she worked as a researcher/writer and Head Script Editor of TV Drama at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
Johanna has lived in England, Italy and Greece. Her home is an 1830s convict-built sandstone cottage in Birchgrove, Sydney, where she is currently writing her fourth Australian historical novel and researching her fifth. Her first saga, Ironbark, was published by Simon & Schuster in Australia and New Zealand in 2009 and 2010. Ghost Gum Valley was published in 2012 and 2013. The Lace Balcony (2014) is her third novel to have been translated into German and published in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Golden Hope will be published in 2016.
Johanna has lived in England, Italy and Greece. Her home is an 1830s convict-built sandstone cottage in Birchgrove, Sydney, where she is currently writing her fourth Australian historical novel and researching her fifth. Her first saga, Ironbark, was published by Simon & Schuster in Australia and New Zealand in 2009 and 2010. Ghost Gum Valley was published in 2012 and 2013. The Lace Balcony (2014) is her third novel to have been translated into German and published in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Golden Hope will be published in 2016.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
December 21, 2014
I am a huge fan of historical Australian fiction and the last two books by Johanna Nicholls were awesome – this one was good, but not quite as good as her first two books. I am sure in Johanna’s previous life she must have lived in newly settled Australia as her description of that time period is fantastic. Some great characters in this book, although I didn’t overly connect with Fanny/Vianna some of the other characters were great, especially Mungo. I’m tossing up between 3 and 4 stars for this. I got lost a little in the middle part of the book – seemed to be hard to keep my focus on it for a while there. But mostly, I really liked it.
August 25, 2014
The Lace Balcony is the third Australian historical fiction novel with romantic elements to be released by Johanna Nicholls. I completely devoured her first two novels (Ghost Gum Valley & Ironbark) as early Australian fiction is quite rare to stumble across by modern day writers. So when I learned of this book’s release, I was really excited to read it.
Set in the late 1820’s, The Lace Balcony tells the story of Fanny Byron who arrives in Sydney with her 2 year old sister Daisy with no money or job. She’s vulnerable in a new country and needs an income to survive. A gentleman named Severin takes her under his wing and uses young Daisy as the motivating force behind Fanny making her fortune as the renowned Vianna Francis who makes a reputation for herself as the Sydney Town Venus. A courtesan who is ‘protected’ by Severin but performs as a singer/ entertainer luring in men to his gambling business. When the money runs low, he manipulates Vianna into a contract to perform 7 night’s straight; each night she is to choose a man to dine with and at the end of the week, she chooses the highest bidder to keep her as their mistress for one year in the hope of settling debts and ensuring young Daisy’s needs are met.
While her relationship with Severin is quite toxic; he is controlling and abusive; though she does develop affection for him and of course her survival is heavily dependent on his keeping. However, she is propelled forward knowing that she has experienced one fleeting moment with a young felon by the name of Will whom, on a whim, she kissed as his last request before he was executed. It is some time before she discovers that Will is actually Mungo Quayle and he wants to take her as his wife. In the midst of all this Mungo Quayle’s half-brother Felix L’Estrange is bidding on Severin’s gambling contract to win her as his mistress.
Three men, three different paths.
The Lace Balcony is told from the perspective of Fanny (a.k.a Vianna), Felix and Mungo as they each make choices that bring them together and inevitably drive them apart. It’s fair to say this story is quite lengthy at over 500 pages long and to be honest, it was well over the 100 page mark when it finally drew me in and kick started that desire to want to find out more. Up until that point it was a slow start and I was uncertain about where this story was heading.
While I enjoyed the plot twists and Mungo’s enthusiasm and passion invested in gaining Fanny’s trust and affections, I experienced mixed feelings about Fanny herself. As a reader I felt quite frustrated by her at times. I could completely understand her vulnerability and how a vulnerable woman can end up in an abusive relationship- especially during that time period… but it was frustrating to see Fanny, at times, play the martyr and have the belief that she deserved that life. Sometimes she was brave and stood up for herself and other times she was passive and helpless. Unfortunately her motivation to look after Daisy just didn’t feel that believable. Especially since any interaction with Daisy shared with the reader was quite minimal at the beginning of the story and then we don’t see her again after that… so Fanny’s connection and protectiveness of Daisy wasn’t instilled at the outset so her desire to continue choosing a life as a courtesan was even more frustrating because it was apparently all for this step-sister. As a reader I tended to like and relate to Mungo more than anyone else in the novel, so at least I could root for him to achieve his desires at the end of the story.
It probably sounds like I didn’t enjoy this story, but I actually did. I like the plot, I love the setting and era and I also enjoyed the varied secondary characters, but I really struggled to relate and empathise with Fanny (a.k.a Vianna) which did impact on my experience as a reader.
Set in the late 1820’s, The Lace Balcony tells the story of Fanny Byron who arrives in Sydney with her 2 year old sister Daisy with no money or job. She’s vulnerable in a new country and needs an income to survive. A gentleman named Severin takes her under his wing and uses young Daisy as the motivating force behind Fanny making her fortune as the renowned Vianna Francis who makes a reputation for herself as the Sydney Town Venus. A courtesan who is ‘protected’ by Severin but performs as a singer/ entertainer luring in men to his gambling business. When the money runs low, he manipulates Vianna into a contract to perform 7 night’s straight; each night she is to choose a man to dine with and at the end of the week, she chooses the highest bidder to keep her as their mistress for one year in the hope of settling debts and ensuring young Daisy’s needs are met.
While her relationship with Severin is quite toxic; he is controlling and abusive; though she does develop affection for him and of course her survival is heavily dependent on his keeping. However, she is propelled forward knowing that she has experienced one fleeting moment with a young felon by the name of Will whom, on a whim, she kissed as his last request before he was executed. It is some time before she discovers that Will is actually Mungo Quayle and he wants to take her as his wife. In the midst of all this Mungo Quayle’s half-brother Felix L’Estrange is bidding on Severin’s gambling contract to win her as his mistress.
Three men, three different paths.
The Lace Balcony is told from the perspective of Fanny (a.k.a Vianna), Felix and Mungo as they each make choices that bring them together and inevitably drive them apart. It’s fair to say this story is quite lengthy at over 500 pages long and to be honest, it was well over the 100 page mark when it finally drew me in and kick started that desire to want to find out more. Up until that point it was a slow start and I was uncertain about where this story was heading.
While I enjoyed the plot twists and Mungo’s enthusiasm and passion invested in gaining Fanny’s trust and affections, I experienced mixed feelings about Fanny herself. As a reader I felt quite frustrated by her at times. I could completely understand her vulnerability and how a vulnerable woman can end up in an abusive relationship- especially during that time period… but it was frustrating to see Fanny, at times, play the martyr and have the belief that she deserved that life. Sometimes she was brave and stood up for herself and other times she was passive and helpless. Unfortunately her motivation to look after Daisy just didn’t feel that believable. Especially since any interaction with Daisy shared with the reader was quite minimal at the beginning of the story and then we don’t see her again after that… so Fanny’s connection and protectiveness of Daisy wasn’t instilled at the outset so her desire to continue choosing a life as a courtesan was even more frustrating because it was apparently all for this step-sister. As a reader I tended to like and relate to Mungo more than anyone else in the novel, so at least I could root for him to achieve his desires at the end of the story.
It probably sounds like I didn’t enjoy this story, but I actually did. I like the plot, I love the setting and era and I also enjoyed the varied secondary characters, but I really struggled to relate and empathise with Fanny (a.k.a Vianna) which did impact on my experience as a reader.
December 6, 2020
A very engaging story about a courtesan who is kept by a controlling and abusive man. She performs at his nightclub as a singer to lure men in to gamble. However she only takes up with him because her mother dies and she is left to care for her young step-sister and they arrive in Sydney, Australia penniless and desperate. Before she meets her protector she grants a kiss to a young man facing the gallows and his sweet kiss lingers with her. She meets him again later and discovers he had changed places with another man, who preferred to hang than be sent to the notorious Moreton Bay Island prison. The step-brother of another man who also wants to possess her, he has no money of his own. Can she live the simple life of a country girl with the man she loves or is she too fond of the luxury lifestyle to which she has become accustomed. And what about her step-sister, whom her protector has sent away to be educated?
January 20, 2025
I love historical fiction and this book didn't disappoint. Although it was quite long (540 pages) I was able to stop and start it without losing the flow of the story. Some excellent characters - (Fanny/Vianna did infuriate me from time to time) but Mungo was the hero for me - to put up with her!! I'd like to read more books by this author and I'd love to visit Moreton Bay!
August 4, 2023
I struggled with this book after about the first few chapters. I found myself reading it just to get it finished. Some parts were enjoyable, many others, boring and long winded.
Never one to give up on a book I persevered and actually enjoyed the last quarter.
Never one to give up on a book I persevered and actually enjoyed the last quarter.
February 8, 2024
This is my first book by Johanna and I think I found it in a free street library so I was keen to read it as usual the cover appealed to me! I really enjoyed it some parts of the book I found a little long to get to the point and the ending surprised me a little.
December 19, 2014
Auf dieses Buch habe ich mich sehr gefreut, denn das Cover finde ich total schön und auch der Klappentext verspricht eine interessante Geschichte. Das Buch handelt von einer jungen Frau, Vianna, die im Jahre 1827 nach Australien flüchtet, dort aber in die Fänge eines gnadenlosen Ausbeuters gerät, der sie als Konkubine arbeiten lässt. Doch sie kann nicht fliehen, denn er hat sie in der Hand: nur Severin weiß, wo Viannas kleine Schwester ist. Er ahnt allerdings nicht, dass Vianna Freunde gefunden hat, die bereit sind, ihr zu helfen – denn sowohl Mungo als auch Felix, zwei konkurrierenden Halbbrüder, haben ihr Herz an Vianna verloren.
Der Schreibstil ist sehr angenehm und gewinnend, lässt sich leicht lesen und macht einfach Spaß. Er ist sehr bildhaft, so dass ich mir alles gut vorstellen kann und ich mich nach Australien in eine andere Zeit versetzt fühlte. Der Einstieg in die Geschichte ist etwas gemächlich und zunächst wusste ich nicht recht, wohin die Reise gehen wird, manche Stellen fand ich zugegebenermaßen auch etwas langatmig. Es werden nach und nach die drei Protagonisten vorgestellt, denn dieses Buch hat nicht nur einen Hauptcharakter, sondern direkt drei. Und um diese entwickelt sich die Geschichte langsam. Felix, Mungo und Vianna sind drei grundverschiedene Menschen, alle drei waren mir sympathisch, auch wenn ich nicht immer alle Handlungsweisen von ihnen verstehen konnte. Am liebsten mochte ich allerdings Mungo, der etwas verwegene und draufgängerische Bruder von Felix, der zwar kaum einen Fettnapf auslässt, sich aber trotz vieler widriger Umstände durchzusetzen weiß. An ihm mochte ich vor allem seine pfiffige Art – er hat es immer wieder geschafft, mich zu überraschen und mir ein Schmunzeln auf die Lippen zu zaubern. Sein Halbbruder Felix dagegen ist eher reserviert, überhaupt kein Draufgänger, sondern eher ein romantischer und vor allem schüchterner Kerl, der nicht recht weiß, mit Frauen umzugehen. In seiner unbeholfenen Art aber hatte auch er wieder etwas Liebenswertes. Vianna mochte ich zwar auch, sie aber konnte ich in ihren Handlungen am wenigsten verstehen – mal erscheint sie sehr patent und ideenreich, dann aber wieder ist sie sehr naiv, zurückhaltend und unentschlossen. Irgendwie schien mir ihre Figur nicht so richtig schlüssig – dabei ist sie aber dennoch sympathisch, und ich habe mit ihr mitgefiebert.
Nach und nach wird dann auch klar, wohin sich die Geschichte entwickelt – zum einen geht es um die Suche der kleinen Schwester von Vianne, zum anderen aber auch um die pikante Dreiecksgeschichte, die sich zwischen Vianne, Mungo und Felix entspannt. Man erfährt viel über das gesellschaftliche Leben in Australien, aber auch über verurteilte Zwangsarbeiter und deren Bedingungen, im Busch zu arbeiten. Es geht um Liebe und Freundschaft und um den Kampf des Überlebens. Dabei gab es immer wieder spannende und fesselnde Kapitel und Szenen, dann aber auch wieder Abschnitte, die mich leider nicht so fesseln konnten und die ich dann eher langatmig fand, weil einfach nicht so viel passierte. Im letzten Drittel des Buches geht es dann noch mal so richtig rasant zu und die Ereignisse überschlagen sich. Das Ende selber mochte ich dann leider nicht, denn es war mir zu plötzlich und zu rund und alle Probleme schienen sich plötzlich in Luft aufgelöst zu haben.
Gefallen an dem Buch hat mir vor allem die Atmosphäre, die die Autorin geschaffen hat. Ich habe mich wirklich nach Australien versetzt gefühlt, habe beim Lesen immer Bilder vor Augen gehabt, sowohl von den verschiedenen Landschaften und Orten als auch von den Figuren. Der Schreibstil hat mich eingefangen und es geschafft, mich an einen anderen Ort in eine andere Zeit zu versetzen – und das war wirklich toll.
Mein Fazit
Eine interessante Geschichte, die den Leser nach Australien in das frühe 19. Jahrhundert entführt und mit dem angenehmen und einladenden Schreibstil Bilder von Landschaften und Szenen vor dem eigenen Auge entstehen lässt. Die Charaktere sind gut gezeichnet, und alle drei Protagonisten – so verschieden sie auch waren – habe ich ins Herz geschlossen. Die Geschichte entwickelt sich zu einer spannenden Suche nach einer verlorenen Schwester und einer pikanten Dreiecksgeschichte zwischen den Protagonisten – so gerne ich mich auch nach Australien versetzt fühlte, fand ich die eine oder andere Stelle etwas langatmig. Mit etwas weniger Seiten hätte mich das Buch wahrscheinlich überzeugen können, so vergebe ich 3,5/5 Sternen.
Der Schreibstil ist sehr angenehm und gewinnend, lässt sich leicht lesen und macht einfach Spaß. Er ist sehr bildhaft, so dass ich mir alles gut vorstellen kann und ich mich nach Australien in eine andere Zeit versetzt fühlte. Der Einstieg in die Geschichte ist etwas gemächlich und zunächst wusste ich nicht recht, wohin die Reise gehen wird, manche Stellen fand ich zugegebenermaßen auch etwas langatmig. Es werden nach und nach die drei Protagonisten vorgestellt, denn dieses Buch hat nicht nur einen Hauptcharakter, sondern direkt drei. Und um diese entwickelt sich die Geschichte langsam. Felix, Mungo und Vianna sind drei grundverschiedene Menschen, alle drei waren mir sympathisch, auch wenn ich nicht immer alle Handlungsweisen von ihnen verstehen konnte. Am liebsten mochte ich allerdings Mungo, der etwas verwegene und draufgängerische Bruder von Felix, der zwar kaum einen Fettnapf auslässt, sich aber trotz vieler widriger Umstände durchzusetzen weiß. An ihm mochte ich vor allem seine pfiffige Art – er hat es immer wieder geschafft, mich zu überraschen und mir ein Schmunzeln auf die Lippen zu zaubern. Sein Halbbruder Felix dagegen ist eher reserviert, überhaupt kein Draufgänger, sondern eher ein romantischer und vor allem schüchterner Kerl, der nicht recht weiß, mit Frauen umzugehen. In seiner unbeholfenen Art aber hatte auch er wieder etwas Liebenswertes. Vianna mochte ich zwar auch, sie aber konnte ich in ihren Handlungen am wenigsten verstehen – mal erscheint sie sehr patent und ideenreich, dann aber wieder ist sie sehr naiv, zurückhaltend und unentschlossen. Irgendwie schien mir ihre Figur nicht so richtig schlüssig – dabei ist sie aber dennoch sympathisch, und ich habe mit ihr mitgefiebert.
Nach und nach wird dann auch klar, wohin sich die Geschichte entwickelt – zum einen geht es um die Suche der kleinen Schwester von Vianne, zum anderen aber auch um die pikante Dreiecksgeschichte, die sich zwischen Vianne, Mungo und Felix entspannt. Man erfährt viel über das gesellschaftliche Leben in Australien, aber auch über verurteilte Zwangsarbeiter und deren Bedingungen, im Busch zu arbeiten. Es geht um Liebe und Freundschaft und um den Kampf des Überlebens. Dabei gab es immer wieder spannende und fesselnde Kapitel und Szenen, dann aber auch wieder Abschnitte, die mich leider nicht so fesseln konnten und die ich dann eher langatmig fand, weil einfach nicht so viel passierte. Im letzten Drittel des Buches geht es dann noch mal so richtig rasant zu und die Ereignisse überschlagen sich. Das Ende selber mochte ich dann leider nicht, denn es war mir zu plötzlich und zu rund und alle Probleme schienen sich plötzlich in Luft aufgelöst zu haben.
Gefallen an dem Buch hat mir vor allem die Atmosphäre, die die Autorin geschaffen hat. Ich habe mich wirklich nach Australien versetzt gefühlt, habe beim Lesen immer Bilder vor Augen gehabt, sowohl von den verschiedenen Landschaften und Orten als auch von den Figuren. Der Schreibstil hat mich eingefangen und es geschafft, mich an einen anderen Ort in eine andere Zeit zu versetzen – und das war wirklich toll.
Mein Fazit
Eine interessante Geschichte, die den Leser nach Australien in das frühe 19. Jahrhundert entführt und mit dem angenehmen und einladenden Schreibstil Bilder von Landschaften und Szenen vor dem eigenen Auge entstehen lässt. Die Charaktere sind gut gezeichnet, und alle drei Protagonisten – so verschieden sie auch waren – habe ich ins Herz geschlossen. Die Geschichte entwickelt sich zu einer spannenden Suche nach einer verlorenen Schwester und einer pikanten Dreiecksgeschichte zwischen den Protagonisten – so gerne ich mich auch nach Australien versetzt fühlte, fand ich die eine oder andere Stelle etwas langatmig. Mit etwas weniger Seiten hätte mich das Buch wahrscheinlich überzeugen können, so vergebe ich 3,5/5 Sternen.
March 6, 2016
3.5 stars
When Fanny Byron arrives in Sydney in 1827, she is hoping to start a new life. Just escaping prison term, she arrives in this new established part of the world with her young sister Daisy. With no references, immediately Fanny finds she in unable to gain work in a respectable trade to support herself and her sister. When a man named Severin enters her life at a time where she is most vulnerable, Fanny becomes “Vianna”. Severin uses Vianna as a vehicle to support his gambling business. Severin draws gentlemen into his business through Vianna’s singing, dancing and entertaining. Vianna works tirelessly seven days a week at Severin's every beck and call, in order to support her sister. Although Vianna’s story is the focus, it is also about the two men who fall deeply in love with her.
The Lace Balcony is a solid piece of Australian historical fiction that specifically focuses on early settlement. There is no doubt that author Johanna Nicholls is extremely well versed in the era. She recreates a fascinating period in Australia’s early development through Fanny/Vianna’s story. The setting and time period is the true strength in this book. I loved being able to completely immerse myself in this highly interesting point in our country’s history. The Lace Balcony contains a strong plot and although the book is rather lengthy, it tells a strong tale of survival, love and power. In terms of characters, I did find I enjoyed the secondary characters of Mungo and Felix much more than the main protagonist Fanny/Vianna. I did sympathise with Fanny’s plight in the earlier parts of the novel, however as it progressed, my connection to her seemed to lessen rather than hasten. Despite my reservations about the main character, I do believe The Lace Balcony provides a voice to the women of pioneering Australia. Vianna’s struggle for the simple of act ensuring the survival of herself and sister Daisy in those tough days was admirable.
This is a book I would recommend to readers who want to learn more about Australia’s history from a strong female voice. I look forward to exploring author Johanna Nicholls backlist to learn more about Australia’s early days of settlement.
When Fanny Byron arrives in Sydney in 1827, she is hoping to start a new life. Just escaping prison term, she arrives in this new established part of the world with her young sister Daisy. With no references, immediately Fanny finds she in unable to gain work in a respectable trade to support herself and her sister. When a man named Severin enters her life at a time where she is most vulnerable, Fanny becomes “Vianna”. Severin uses Vianna as a vehicle to support his gambling business. Severin draws gentlemen into his business through Vianna’s singing, dancing and entertaining. Vianna works tirelessly seven days a week at Severin's every beck and call, in order to support her sister. Although Vianna’s story is the focus, it is also about the two men who fall deeply in love with her.
The Lace Balcony is a solid piece of Australian historical fiction that specifically focuses on early settlement. There is no doubt that author Johanna Nicholls is extremely well versed in the era. She recreates a fascinating period in Australia’s early development through Fanny/Vianna’s story. The setting and time period is the true strength in this book. I loved being able to completely immerse myself in this highly interesting point in our country’s history. The Lace Balcony contains a strong plot and although the book is rather lengthy, it tells a strong tale of survival, love and power. In terms of characters, I did find I enjoyed the secondary characters of Mungo and Felix much more than the main protagonist Fanny/Vianna. I did sympathise with Fanny’s plight in the earlier parts of the novel, however as it progressed, my connection to her seemed to lessen rather than hasten. Despite my reservations about the main character, I do believe The Lace Balcony provides a voice to the women of pioneering Australia. Vianna’s struggle for the simple of act ensuring the survival of herself and sister Daisy in those tough days was admirable.
This is a book I would recommend to readers who want to learn more about Australia’s history from a strong female voice. I look forward to exploring author Johanna Nicholls backlist to learn more about Australia’s early days of settlement.
October 25, 2015
The Lace Balcony Johanna Nicholls
It is not often that an Australian Historical novel captures me to this extent. The author knows her time slot, her research and attention to detail shows in her writing. I was captured from start to finish. The characters quickly become your friends, you sigh and cheer as you turn the pages, the places she describes, in your mind you are there. Suffice to say I loved this book. I had a couple of later nights than I planned on reading it because I didn't want to put it down. A raw gem describing Australia in its coming of age to something much more than a penal colony in the antipodes. Yes it is Fiction, but there is so much of our history integrated within the telling, it is a delight to read. At the bottom of the front cover it states Australia's Finest Historical Writer and I would have to agree with that. From the very first page you are transported back to early Australia from 1827-1832 in and around Sydney, and to some extent at the beginning of this book to Moreton Bay Penal colony. Journey back into Australia's history with both fictional and interwoven within this story are many Historical factual characters whose names you will recognise for their input into the shaping of early Australia. Yes it is a love story, one of class distinction, autocratic rule and rogues, but Australians have always barracked for the underdog. One young lady who never forgets a particular kiss and one Currency Lad who remembers not only the kiss but everything about her is indelibly imprinted in his mind of that one short moment. It is what mentally keeps him going when his body is screaming out to give up. If you like Australian history tied together with a heartfelt story do yourself a favour and read this book.
It is not often that an Australian Historical novel captures me to this extent. The author knows her time slot, her research and attention to detail shows in her writing. I was captured from start to finish. The characters quickly become your friends, you sigh and cheer as you turn the pages, the places she describes, in your mind you are there. Suffice to say I loved this book. I had a couple of later nights than I planned on reading it because I didn't want to put it down. A raw gem describing Australia in its coming of age to something much more than a penal colony in the antipodes. Yes it is Fiction, but there is so much of our history integrated within the telling, it is a delight to read. At the bottom of the front cover it states Australia's Finest Historical Writer and I would have to agree with that. From the very first page you are transported back to early Australia from 1827-1832 in and around Sydney, and to some extent at the beginning of this book to Moreton Bay Penal colony. Journey back into Australia's history with both fictional and interwoven within this story are many Historical factual characters whose names you will recognise for their input into the shaping of early Australia. Yes it is a love story, one of class distinction, autocratic rule and rogues, but Australians have always barracked for the underdog. One young lady who never forgets a particular kiss and one Currency Lad who remembers not only the kiss but everything about her is indelibly imprinted in his mind of that one short moment. It is what mentally keeps him going when his body is screaming out to give up. If you like Australian history tied together with a heartfelt story do yourself a favour and read this book.
April 8, 2016
Easy to read. Great characters and lots of interesting Australian history. I really enjoyed this book.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews