The Bay

by Di Morrissey

THE BAY is a beautiful and peaceful town on the Australian east coast; a melting pot of city escapees, alternative lifestylers, feral dropouts, lost souls, backpackers, and men and women in search of love and a new sense of identity.WHEN Sydney corporate wife Holly Jamieson turns forty-five she shocks her husband by buying an old house in The Bay with plans to transform it into a charming B & B. What began as a gesture of independence changes her life. Holly soon discovers that beneath its tranquil surface, The bay is a whirlpool of passions and conflict. It was once a whaling town, then a sleepy resort that became trendy, and now developers are moving in for the kill. Holly, her family, and an unusual band of new friends are in the battle lines - and not always on the same side.THIS is a story of contemporary issues, but the ghosts of the past haven't left town. THE BAY captures the atmosphere of a unique place and its poeple so you can feel that you are there.THE BAY is a place to change your life.

Genres: Chick Lit, Audiobook, Contemporary, Fiction, Adult Fiction

468 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Di Morrissey (born 18 March 1943 in Wingham, New South Wales) is one of Australia's most popular female novelists. She grew up in the remote surrounds of Pittwater, north of Sydney, Australia.

Growing up she counted famous Australian actor Chips Rafferty as a close mentor and friend who helped provide for her and her mother after the death of her father as a child, sending them overseas to California to live with family.

In her later years, Di went on to become a journalist on London's Fleet Street, and worked for CBS in Honolulu, where she lived with her husband who was in the foreign service, and even had a small role in the series Hawaii Five-0, a guest role in season three, episode seven, 1970 starring as 'Alicia Anderson'.

After moving back to Australia, Di published her first book 'Heart of the Dreaming' which instantly became a bestseller. Since then Di has published another 17 bestsellers, her latest being 'The Silent Country'.

Reviews

[Sue Gerhardt Griffiths · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[Chiro Pipashito T H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice book, the characters are so lively. The journal of Hanna Nielson and the description of whaling during the late 19th century Australia were spellbinding. And best of all, this book made me interested in reading more about whales- their biology , history of whaling and also conservation of whales.

[Fiona Mayle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely book. Gorgeous tales about the different people that live within a community. How we can grow and change our lives for the better if we allow ourselves to stop, listen and be loved and encouraged by others.
I love Di's books, as you always learn great history about another fabulous place in Australia or somewhere abroad. Makes you want to jump on a plane and go there for yourself !!

[Margaret Hogbin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first book of Di's I read. Wow was fascinating. Going back in time and the beauty of the scenery & the history of the story was wonderful. Couldn't put it down . From then on I was hooked on her books.

[Suz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nope, don’t remember this one either.

[Gabrielle Trenbath · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy read, great for taking on holiday

[Leah Toohey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Di Morrissey's books, and this one was yet another easy enjoyable read. Although, there are a lot of characters in this book so I found it a little hard to keep track on them all at first. Eventually I got a grip on who's who and fell into the stories of each of the characters. Set in the fictional Beacon Bay, which is based on Byron Bay, it's a charming story about moving to a new town, a town that is soulful and spiritual, which is threatened by developers wanting to cash in on the unspoilt paradise. The story is about embracing the true essence of the town and it's community, allowing meaningful relationships to build, and eventually finding oneself on a deeper level...after all isn't that why people escape to Byron Bay in real life?

[Leah Hyndman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a good one to read on a summer holiday! There are quite a few characters to remember - but usually a couple of sentences are included to remind you who they are again. At times I found the explanations of how wonderful it is to live in 'the Bay' pretty full on - but I noted that this book is written in 2001 so I think a lot has changed since then and the Bay - which is obviously Byron has become more commercialised.
Eventually some of the laborious details about the idyllic lifestyles do add to some plot twists etc (without giving anything away).
I also enjoyed reading Di Morrisey's journey to the Bay at the end.
On a personal note it was beautiful to read the description of a whale experience near Hervey Bay and Fraser Island as I have experienced in that very location.

[Paul McBride · Rating 5 out of 5]

You could tell the author had a personal connection to this story, but still an enjoyable fast read.
A town like Boulder Colorado set on a beautiful bay in Australia, loaded with people trying to find themselves and make real differences and changes in their lives. The adds her usual historical additions in this case a whaling wife who lived there in the 1890’s through the then 20th century. As usual by the end of the book most everything comes full circle.

[Kat Ashworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Packed with characters and plot lines. I especially enjoyed it because of the clear portrayal of the Byron Bay region, even though Morrissey made a subtle attempt at changing names. It was as inspiring portrayal of how Australian communities have the power to stand up to corporate greed and development.... if they choose too.

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved parts of this book, but found it hard to keep track of all of the characters being introduced throughout the first half of the book. The mystery was intriguing towards the end and I could not put it down. I found the story's links to Byron Bay interesting.

[Lozza · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this such a lovely story and very easy to read. I think I enjoyed it even more because I have been to this place and could identify with its beauty. A few unexpected twists, a little romance, a bit of history, and a demonstration of community strength at its best. Really enjoyed this book.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/14337772

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutlet loved it. Her books never fail to please and keep me reading when I should be focusing on mor proctical matters.

[Lorraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it, a few little twists. The book is based on Bryson Bay. It has some stories on Whales now and in the past.

[Tanya Boulter · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was recommended after seeing Di Morrissey at Mt Barker library. Must admit this book fell way short for me and she is not a very compelling author to listen to either.

[Ranjana · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lovely captivating drama set in beautiful Byron Bay

[Debra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed

[Narelle Patton · Rating 3 out of 5]

An entertaining yarn with some interesting but somewhat stereotypical characters. I found the mix of fiction and fact decreased my enjoyment of this book. The fictional town of Beacon Bay was easily identified as Byron Bay.

[Kathleen Hagen]

The Bay, by Di Morrissey, narrated by Kate Hood, produced by Bolinda Audio, downloaded from audible.com.

Holly Jamison, a Sydney corporate wife, at the age of 45, decides to buy a B. and B. in The Bay, a town on the east coast of Australia. She uses all of her own money and savings to buy the house and to restore it. Her husband, a corporate builder, has his own plans for The Bay, including putting up a huge development which would transfer and completely ruin the pristine landscape that exists there. Holly becomes involved with new friends and with retaining the pristine quality of The Bay, in othe words, directly opposed to her husband’s plans. This is a very good book which spans the times from the whaling seasons, to the trendy little hippie town, to the current town which is fighting to maintain its uniqueness and not be devoured by developers. This is a heart-warming story of characters who come together to live life the way they want to live it, and to fight to keep The Bay the way it is. The essay after the end of the book indicates that Morrissey was really talking about Byron’s Bay, a real Australian bay with much of the uniqueness claimed by The Bay. An excellent feel-good book.

[Dale Pearce · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Sydney corporate wife Holly Jamieson turns 40, she shocks her husband by buying an old house in The Bay, a beautiful and peaceful town on the Australian east coast, and transforming it into a charming B&B.

What began as a gesture of independence changes her life. Holly soon discovers that beneath its tranquil surface, The Bay is a whirlpool of passions and conflicts.

Once a whaling town, then a sleepy resort that became trendy… and now developers are moving in for the kill. Holly, her family, and an unusual band of new friends are in the battle lines.

[Alexandra Cornwell · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very easy research/write book for anyone who has any knowledge of the battle over development sites in Byron Bay in particular, and the Far North Coast of NSW in general.
Knowing the places that she is writing about (they are thinly disguised by other names but are easily identifiable as Bangalow, Nimbin, The Channon, Mullumbimby and Byron Bay) made it somewhat difficult to read.

[Ann · Rating 2 out of 5]

Why do I always get the feeling when reading a Di Morrissey book that she is trying to teach me something and cloaking it, rather badly, in fiction. On the upside, she paints a warm picture of Byron Bay.

[Glenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

So clearly about Byron Bay.

[Gayle · Rating 3 out of 5]

great read

[Kimberley · Rating 3 out of 5]

A simple, easy to read book, good to chill out after Christmas. It is an amusing description of life in the Byron Bay region.

[Maree · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read, is it about Byron Bay, that is the question.

[Tracy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too cheesy and corny. Might have been better if I read it rather than listened to it. Voices were somewhat off putting

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was not what I had expected but it turned out to be a very interesting and enjoyable book to read, fantastic.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was the first Di Morrissey book I have read. I wanted to like it but the characters were just so cliched and the plot predictable.