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Woolgrowers Companion #1
The Woolgrower's Companion
‘A wonderful new voice in literary rural fiction' Australian Women's WeeklyAustralia 1945. Until now Kate Dowd has led a sheltered life on Amiens, her family’s sprawling sheep station in northern New South Wales. The horrors of war have for the most part left her untouched. But with her father succumbing to wounds he’s borne since the Great War, the management of the farm is increasingly falling on Kate’s shoulders.With only the sheep-rearing book The Woolgrower’s Companion to guide her, Kate rises to the challenge. However the arrival of two Italian POW labourers unsettles not only the other workers, but Kate too - especially when she finds herself drawn to the enigmatic Luca Canali.Then she receives devastating news. The farm is near bankrupt and the bank is set to repossess. Given just eight weeks to pay the debt, Kate is now in a race to save everything she holds dear.‘A heart-breaking tale beautifully told . . . This compelling story of war and love, of family and prejudice is magical’ Kathryn Stockett, author of The Help‘This sweeping epic set in rural NSW is about love, family and testing our mettle – and it’s compulsively readable. Just the thing for those lazy summer days’ Marie Claire
381 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 27, 2017
39 people are currently reading
566 people want to read
About the author
Joy Rhoades
3 books53 followersI grew up in a small town in the bush in Queensland, Australia. I spent my time with my head in a book, or outdoors – climbing trees, playing in dry creek beds, or fishing for yabbies in the railway dam under the big sky. Some of my favourite memories were visiting my grandmother’s sheep farm in rural New South Wales where my father had grown up. She was a fifth generation grazier, a lover of history, and a great and gentle teller of stories. My childhood gave me two passions: a love of the Australian landscape and a fascination with words and stories.
I left the bush at 13 when I went to boarding school in Brisbane. I stayed on there to study law and literature at the University of Queensland. After, my work as a lawyer took me first to Sydney and then all over the world, to London, Hong Kong, Singapore, Tokyo and New York. But I always carried in my head a strong sense of my childhood: the people, the history, the light and the landscape. Those images have never left me and they would eventually become The Woolgrower’s Companion. It’s a story I’ve felt I had to tell.
I currently live in London with my husband and our two young children. But I miss the Australian sky.
I left the bush at 13 when I went to boarding school in Brisbane. I stayed on there to study law and literature at the University of Queensland. After, my work as a lawyer took me first to Sydney and then all over the world, to London, Hong Kong, Singapore, Tokyo and New York. But I always carried in my head a strong sense of my childhood: the people, the history, the light and the landscape. Those images have never left me and they would eventually become The Woolgrower’s Companion. It’s a story I’ve felt I had to tell.
I currently live in London with my husband and our two young children. But I miss the Australian sky.
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June 29, 2018
Book Reviewed by Stacey on www.whisperingstories.com
New South Wales, Australia, 1945, Kate Dowd lives on a sheep farm with her father Ralph Stimson and aborigine housekeeper, fourteen-year-old Daisy. Her husband Jack is off fighting in the Second World War.
Although Italy were now an ally in the war, their Prisoners of War (POWs) are still to be kept as prisoners. They are sent to work as part of a government scheme and the family acquire two men Luca Canali and Vittorio Bottinella to work on their farm.
As well as being wary of the two new arrivals, Kate is concerned about her father who seems to be losing his mind after the death of her mother two years ago. Things come to a head when the bank manager speaks to her and tells her that the bills haven’t been paid in some time and that the family has just eight weeks to find the money to clear the debts or the farm will be sold.
This naive young girl who has had no dealing with the running of the farm quickly realises that it is up to her to save their home and livelihood and that means she rapidly needs to learn about the ins and outs of the family business.
I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed ‘The Woolgrower’s Companion’ I’m not a big historical fiction lover and the idea of the book being set on a sheep station in the Australian outback doesn’t scream excitement, but it was actually really enjoyable and addictive. It is essentially a love story too with an ending I wasn’t expecting.
Kate is a young woman having to learn to grow up very quickly. Her mother always told her to keep out of the going on to do with the farm, so when she needs to step in and essentially take over it is all new to her, even though she has grown up on the farm. She has also lived quite the sheltered life too so in some situations she was quite naive in the way she thought about things or the way she handled situations.
Ms Rhoades deals with lots of issues that were going on in the country (and in some respects across the world) in the 1940s. From racism to the plight of the aborigine people and also the strict social codes that were in place. These issues were all handled with care and were obviously well researched.
At the back of the book, there are numerous recipes for the mouthwatering food mentioned throughout. There are also questions that have been set by the author for book clubs to use to discuss the story.
Having spent two days sitting in the sun reading this and enjoying every minute of it, I now can’t wait until the sequel is released to carry on the story.
New South Wales, Australia, 1945, Kate Dowd lives on a sheep farm with her father Ralph Stimson and aborigine housekeeper, fourteen-year-old Daisy. Her husband Jack is off fighting in the Second World War.
Although Italy were now an ally in the war, their Prisoners of War (POWs) are still to be kept as prisoners. They are sent to work as part of a government scheme and the family acquire two men Luca Canali and Vittorio Bottinella to work on their farm.
As well as being wary of the two new arrivals, Kate is concerned about her father who seems to be losing his mind after the death of her mother two years ago. Things come to a head when the bank manager speaks to her and tells her that the bills haven’t been paid in some time and that the family has just eight weeks to find the money to clear the debts or the farm will be sold.
This naive young girl who has had no dealing with the running of the farm quickly realises that it is up to her to save their home and livelihood and that means she rapidly needs to learn about the ins and outs of the family business.
I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed ‘The Woolgrower’s Companion’ I’m not a big historical fiction lover and the idea of the book being set on a sheep station in the Australian outback doesn’t scream excitement, but it was actually really enjoyable and addictive. It is essentially a love story too with an ending I wasn’t expecting.
Kate is a young woman having to learn to grow up very quickly. Her mother always told her to keep out of the going on to do with the farm, so when she needs to step in and essentially take over it is all new to her, even though she has grown up on the farm. She has also lived quite the sheltered life too so in some situations she was quite naive in the way she thought about things or the way she handled situations.
Ms Rhoades deals with lots of issues that were going on in the country (and in some respects across the world) in the 1940s. From racism to the plight of the aborigine people and also the strict social codes that were in place. These issues were all handled with care and were obviously well researched.
At the back of the book, there are numerous recipes for the mouthwatering food mentioned throughout. There are also questions that have been set by the author for book clubs to use to discuss the story.
Having spent two days sitting in the sun reading this and enjoying every minute of it, I now can’t wait until the sequel is released to carry on the story.
August 4, 2018
*https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
4.5 stars
The Woolgrower’s Companion is a historical fiction novel, penned by debut novelist Joy Rhoades. It is an immersive pastoral tale that combines a hint of romance and a touching coming of age story, along with serious issues that plague the sheep station of Amiens, the central setting focus of the novel.
Opening in the year 1945, The Woolgrower’s Companion zones in on the story of one woman, Kate Dowd, living on her family’s expansive sheep station property in the north of New South Wales. Although the end of the war is looming and Kate’s life has remained sheltered since the outbreak of war, a change occurs when Kate’s father’s health takes a turn for the worst. Suddenly, Kate is thrust in a very different position on her family’s property in order to maintain their livelihood. With the help of a book, The Woolgrower’s Companion, a guide of sorts, Kate begins to take charge of Amiens. Kate’s life also changes when two Italian POW labourers are sent in to help the failing Amiens, which has been subject to drought and fledgling profits. One of the POW labourers, Luca Canali, begins to capture Kate’s heart, which offers complications for this young married woman. As Kate continues to plough through in an effort to save her family’s legacy from utter destruction and bankruptcy, she is also faced with a number of personal crises.
I am going to sound like a broken record, but I will say it again. Often the best stories, especially in the historical fiction genre, are those drawn from real life experiences. These lived experiences allow the lines of fiction and real life to blur. The end result is often a superior historical novel, rich in experience, authenticity and honesty. This is the case with The Woolgrower’s Companion, the impressive debut novel by Joy Rhoades. The Woolgrower’s Companion is a novel drawn from the first hand experiences of the author’s grandmother, who lived on an agricultural property in outback Australia during the war years. The Woolgrower’s Companion is carefully composed and it is also inspired by the struggles faced by the author’s grandmother. It adds much weight to this compelling tale.
There are a number of resounding themes in this novel. Firstly, Rhoades diligently works to highlight the Australian female experience of World War II, which is not often brought to the floor. When the book opens, we get the feeling that Kate is a carbon copy of women in this era and how they were expected to conduct themselves. Kate is a dutiful daughter and wife. She immediately comes across as naive and sheltered. She is not expected to voice her opinion, or step on the toes of the men around her. However, The Woolgrower’s Companion is a novel that explores the coming of age story of a woman who must step into the shoes of a man and perform duties that are outside the role of women at this time.
Other aspects of this superior historical novel that are thoroughly deserving of our attention is the treatment of indigenous Australians in The Woolgrower’s Companion. Through a sub character, Kate’s maid Daisy, we gain a greater understanding of the plight of Aboriginal women in this era. Rhoades touches on the stolen generation and the treatment of half-caste individuals. It is a cruel history lesson, but an important one to highlight. Linked to this are the social mores and attitudes prevalent in relation to the POW labourers and the Italian people by Australian citizens. This aspect of the narrative represents another scathing history lesson.
Rhoades also focuses her novel on issues of PTSD, still largely unrecognised at this point in time. Kate’s father is clearly suffering the effects of PTSD from his time in the Great War. His condition seems to be exacerbated by his wife’s death, the state of affairs on his property and his failing memory. Rhoades works hard to illuminate this sad experience for the reader.
The beacon of light in The Woolgrower’s Companion comes in the form of Kate’s and Luca Canali, the POW labourer sent to work on Amiens, relationship. Rhoades handles their interactions well; she captures the forbidden romance, sexual tension, dependence and sense of longing that passes between the two characters. It is a bittersweet romance and memorable exchanges between the two drew me further into the pages of this novel.
Readers will find Rhoades excels in her presentation of the time period and pure Australian setting. Rhoades peppers her first novel with rounds of stunning descriptive prose, evoking the arid landscape, as well as the common fauna that inhabits rural Australia. Rhoades also takes us deep into the heart of the outback through her writing, which accurately represents the harsh conditions, heat, sparseness and the dry conditions, where you are constantly battling the elements. The setting aspect of The Woolgrower’s Companion impressed me greatly.
Before I make my closing comments on The Woolgrower’s Companion, I must acknowledge the physical composition of this novel, which I appreciated very much. Each chapter opening begins with an introductory quote from The Woolgrower’s Companion, a book that acts as a bible to Kate when she must take the reins of Amiens. It was a lovely touch that added a sense of originality to the novel. I also urge you to read the Author’s Note and even try the wholesome Country Women’s Association recipes contained at the back of this book.
The Woolgrower’s Companion is a poignant tale that encapsulates a short-term, ten months in the life of a determined young woman and her fight against the land, as well as the establishment. It is a soulful and touching tribute to Australia’s past, its people and the land.
The Woolgrower’s Companion is book #88 of the Australian Women Writers Challenge
4.5 stars
The Woolgrower’s Companion is a historical fiction novel, penned by debut novelist Joy Rhoades. It is an immersive pastoral tale that combines a hint of romance and a touching coming of age story, along with serious issues that plague the sheep station of Amiens, the central setting focus of the novel.
Opening in the year 1945, The Woolgrower’s Companion zones in on the story of one woman, Kate Dowd, living on her family’s expansive sheep station property in the north of New South Wales. Although the end of the war is looming and Kate’s life has remained sheltered since the outbreak of war, a change occurs when Kate’s father’s health takes a turn for the worst. Suddenly, Kate is thrust in a very different position on her family’s property in order to maintain their livelihood. With the help of a book, The Woolgrower’s Companion, a guide of sorts, Kate begins to take charge of Amiens. Kate’s life also changes when two Italian POW labourers are sent in to help the failing Amiens, which has been subject to drought and fledgling profits. One of the POW labourers, Luca Canali, begins to capture Kate’s heart, which offers complications for this young married woman. As Kate continues to plough through in an effort to save her family’s legacy from utter destruction and bankruptcy, she is also faced with a number of personal crises.
I am going to sound like a broken record, but I will say it again. Often the best stories, especially in the historical fiction genre, are those drawn from real life experiences. These lived experiences allow the lines of fiction and real life to blur. The end result is often a superior historical novel, rich in experience, authenticity and honesty. This is the case with The Woolgrower’s Companion, the impressive debut novel by Joy Rhoades. The Woolgrower’s Companion is a novel drawn from the first hand experiences of the author’s grandmother, who lived on an agricultural property in outback Australia during the war years. The Woolgrower’s Companion is carefully composed and it is also inspired by the struggles faced by the author’s grandmother. It adds much weight to this compelling tale.
There are a number of resounding themes in this novel. Firstly, Rhoades diligently works to highlight the Australian female experience of World War II, which is not often brought to the floor. When the book opens, we get the feeling that Kate is a carbon copy of women in this era and how they were expected to conduct themselves. Kate is a dutiful daughter and wife. She immediately comes across as naive and sheltered. She is not expected to voice her opinion, or step on the toes of the men around her. However, The Woolgrower’s Companion is a novel that explores the coming of age story of a woman who must step into the shoes of a man and perform duties that are outside the role of women at this time.
Other aspects of this superior historical novel that are thoroughly deserving of our attention is the treatment of indigenous Australians in The Woolgrower’s Companion. Through a sub character, Kate’s maid Daisy, we gain a greater understanding of the plight of Aboriginal women in this era. Rhoades touches on the stolen generation and the treatment of half-caste individuals. It is a cruel history lesson, but an important one to highlight. Linked to this are the social mores and attitudes prevalent in relation to the POW labourers and the Italian people by Australian citizens. This aspect of the narrative represents another scathing history lesson.
Rhoades also focuses her novel on issues of PTSD, still largely unrecognised at this point in time. Kate’s father is clearly suffering the effects of PTSD from his time in the Great War. His condition seems to be exacerbated by his wife’s death, the state of affairs on his property and his failing memory. Rhoades works hard to illuminate this sad experience for the reader.
The beacon of light in The Woolgrower’s Companion comes in the form of Kate’s and Luca Canali, the POW labourer sent to work on Amiens, relationship. Rhoades handles their interactions well; she captures the forbidden romance, sexual tension, dependence and sense of longing that passes between the two characters. It is a bittersweet romance and memorable exchanges between the two drew me further into the pages of this novel.
Readers will find Rhoades excels in her presentation of the time period and pure Australian setting. Rhoades peppers her first novel with rounds of stunning descriptive prose, evoking the arid landscape, as well as the common fauna that inhabits rural Australia. Rhoades also takes us deep into the heart of the outback through her writing, which accurately represents the harsh conditions, heat, sparseness and the dry conditions, where you are constantly battling the elements. The setting aspect of The Woolgrower’s Companion impressed me greatly.
Before I make my closing comments on The Woolgrower’s Companion, I must acknowledge the physical composition of this novel, which I appreciated very much. Each chapter opening begins with an introductory quote from The Woolgrower’s Companion, a book that acts as a bible to Kate when she must take the reins of Amiens. It was a lovely touch that added a sense of originality to the novel. I also urge you to read the Author’s Note and even try the wholesome Country Women’s Association recipes contained at the back of this book.
The Woolgrower’s Companion is a poignant tale that encapsulates a short-term, ten months in the life of a determined young woman and her fight against the land, as well as the establishment. It is a soulful and touching tribute to Australia’s past, its people and the land.
The Woolgrower’s Companion is book #88 of the Australian Women Writers Challenge
April 6, 2017
This was a great story which I enjoyed; my type of storyline with the added interesting inclusion of the Italian POW's.
The characters were believable but sparsely developed, which in this case wasn't an issue- it was almost a feature, and it was told wholly from Kate's perspective. At times, I would have liked to have read Luca's perspective on things!
The one thing that originally drew me to this book was the cover! Beautiful.
My only reason for giving this a 3-star rating was the ending! Not happy with the rather abrupt ending at all...perhaps a sequel is on the cards??
The characters were believable but sparsely developed, which in this case wasn't an issue- it was almost a feature, and it was told wholly from Kate's perspective. At times, I would have liked to have read Luca's perspective on things!
The one thing that originally drew me to this book was the cover! Beautiful.
My only reason for giving this a 3-star rating was the ending! Not happy with the rather abrupt ending at all...perhaps a sequel is on the cards??
June 27, 2018
With WW2 raging abroad, life is tough for those eking out a living on Australian homesteads.
Oh heavens. If anyone were to ask me for an example of a perfect read, The Woolgrower’s Companion would be it. I truly adored it. Joy Rhoades seems to have looked inside my heart, found what touches it completely and used every element in her writing so that I am emotionally bereft at having finished the book. I read the last page, burst into tears and took quite a while to stop sobbing! The Woolgrower’s Companion broke me completely and I loved it as a result.
The plotting is flawless. This may be billed as a love story, which it is – and an absolutely wonderful one at that, but it is so much more besides. Alongside love there is family, authority, feminism, mystery, violence, grief and pure unadulterated joy. There’s prejudice, history and geography too so that reading The Woolgrower’s Companion is like being conveyed straight to the 1940s and experiencing every nuance of life at the time. Sometimes Joy Rhoades shocks her reader, sometimes she thrills them, but always she entertains, captivates and enthralls them. All life is experienced between these pages. The attention to detail in the descriptions of nature surrounding Amiens sheep station gives a cinematic piquancy that is astounding.
Part of the complete entrancement of this book is that it is impossible not to be involved with the characters. I worried about them all the time, especially Kate and Daisy, when I wasn’t actually reading about them. I thought Harry was a magnificent creation. He provides such an effective light relief as well as some of the most poignant aspects and his speech is so natural that I could hear him as if he were by my side. Daisy too has such presence and I was outraged at the prejudice against the Aboriginal people of the time.
It illustrates the fabulous quality of Joy Rhoades’ writing that the ‘quotations’ at the start of each chapter reflect perfectly what is happening without once undermining her glorious storytelling. The inclusion of recipes at the end of the book also helps convince the reader that this isn’t a work of fiction, but an account of real people’s lives – people whom we care about.
The Woolgrower’s Companion is a sublime book. It thrums with emotion and drama and held me completely spell-bound. I didn’t want it to end and feel adrift without it. It is amazing and I want everyone to have the joy (and pain) of reading it.
https://lindasbookbag.com/2018/06/27/...
Oh heavens. If anyone were to ask me for an example of a perfect read, The Woolgrower’s Companion would be it. I truly adored it. Joy Rhoades seems to have looked inside my heart, found what touches it completely and used every element in her writing so that I am emotionally bereft at having finished the book. I read the last page, burst into tears and took quite a while to stop sobbing! The Woolgrower’s Companion broke me completely and I loved it as a result.
The plotting is flawless. This may be billed as a love story, which it is – and an absolutely wonderful one at that, but it is so much more besides. Alongside love there is family, authority, feminism, mystery, violence, grief and pure unadulterated joy. There’s prejudice, history and geography too so that reading The Woolgrower’s Companion is like being conveyed straight to the 1940s and experiencing every nuance of life at the time. Sometimes Joy Rhoades shocks her reader, sometimes she thrills them, but always she entertains, captivates and enthralls them. All life is experienced between these pages. The attention to detail in the descriptions of nature surrounding Amiens sheep station gives a cinematic piquancy that is astounding.
Part of the complete entrancement of this book is that it is impossible not to be involved with the characters. I worried about them all the time, especially Kate and Daisy, when I wasn’t actually reading about them. I thought Harry was a magnificent creation. He provides such an effective light relief as well as some of the most poignant aspects and his speech is so natural that I could hear him as if he were by my side. Daisy too has such presence and I was outraged at the prejudice against the Aboriginal people of the time.
It illustrates the fabulous quality of Joy Rhoades’ writing that the ‘quotations’ at the start of each chapter reflect perfectly what is happening without once undermining her glorious storytelling. The inclusion of recipes at the end of the book also helps convince the reader that this isn’t a work of fiction, but an account of real people’s lives – people whom we care about.
The Woolgrower’s Companion is a sublime book. It thrums with emotion and drama and held me completely spell-bound. I didn’t want it to end and feel adrift without it. It is amazing and I want everyone to have the joy (and pain) of reading it.
https://lindasbookbag.com/2018/06/27/...
January 30, 2023
Setting: New South Wales, Australia; 1945-7.
Kate Stimson lives with her father on their sheep and cattle ranch called Amiens as the Second World War draws to its close. As two Italian prisoners-of-war arrive to help on the ranch, Kate finds herself strangely drawn to one of them whilst her husband, Jack, is away training new recruits having been injured earlier in the war.
Kate also has to contend with her father's increasingly erratic behaviour and unexpectedly discovers that the farm is deeply in debt to the bank - although her father denies that this is the case. In trying to sort out their finances, Kate finds herself under pressure from the local bank manager, Addison, who seems determined to foreclose on Amiens - unless Kate 'responds' to him.
In the midst of several drought years, Kate must also deal with issues surrounding the teenage Aboriginal girl assigned to them and also the arrival of the farm manager's young nephew, who has recently been orphaned....
This is an excellent family saga - great characters, including the landscape itself - with attitudes towards Aboriginal people, women at work, heredity and the effects of the two World Wars all being very indicative of the time and place. The ending of the book left scope for a continuation of the story - in fact I discovered there IS a second book, The Burnt Country, but this is not available either in our library or even on Amazon UK and sadly only available elsewhere online at a prohibitive price for me. Well worth a read! - 8.5/10.
Kate Stimson lives with her father on their sheep and cattle ranch called Amiens as the Second World War draws to its close. As two Italian prisoners-of-war arrive to help on the ranch, Kate finds herself strangely drawn to one of them whilst her husband, Jack, is away training new recruits having been injured earlier in the war.
Kate also has to contend with her father's increasingly erratic behaviour and unexpectedly discovers that the farm is deeply in debt to the bank - although her father denies that this is the case. In trying to sort out their finances, Kate finds herself under pressure from the local bank manager, Addison, who seems determined to foreclose on Amiens - unless Kate 'responds' to him.
In the midst of several drought years, Kate must also deal with issues surrounding the teenage Aboriginal girl assigned to them and also the arrival of the farm manager's young nephew, who has recently been orphaned....
This is an excellent family saga - great characters, including the landscape itself - with attitudes towards Aboriginal people, women at work, heredity and the effects of the two World Wars all being very indicative of the time and place. The ending of the book left scope for a continuation of the story - in fact I discovered there IS a second book, The Burnt Country, but this is not available either in our library or even on Amazon UK and sadly only available elsewhere online at a prohibitive price for me. Well worth a read! - 8.5/10.
July 9, 2019
“Mr Harold Kenneth John McGintey was a much smaller man than his name had suggested. Kate had some difficulty seeing much of him at all behind the big desk. He reminded her of an elderly wombat, low to the ground and slow-moving”
By early 1945, graziers in the Northern Tablelands of NSW were in the grip of an unrelenting drought. Coupled with the scarcity of able-bodied men, who were either fighting in the war, or casualties of it, the situation was dire enough that many property owners welcomed the Rural Employment Scheme. Although Italy had joined the Allies, Italian POWs remained prisoners and were forced to work on farms, despite the community’s enormous sense of resentment and distrust.
Great War veteran, Ralph Stimson had worked hard to build up his Soldier Settler Block into a substantial property, Amiens. He is grateful for the arrival of Luca Canali and Vittorio Bottinella, even if his manager, Keith Grimes is wary. Young Harry Grimes, the manager’s now-orphaned great-nephew has arrived on the same train, destined to live in Keith’s cottage.
With her husband, Jack at war, her mother, Janice, who had always discouraged Kate’s involvement in the paddocks, now two years dead, and her father, who handles all the finances, now acting strangely, Kate is concerned. When Alwyn Addison, the officious (and rather oily) bank manager informs Kate that she will need to make plans to vacate the property unless the overdraft payment is made within eight weeks, she discovers just how perilous their financial situation really is.
Added to her worries is the recent skittiness of fourteen-year-old Daisy, their Aboriginal domestic, and the looks and gentle manner of the POW assigned to help her with the garden are distracting, especially to a woman wedded in haste and separated from Jack after a mere six months of marriage. Of course, for the POWs, fraternisation is an offence attracting jail time. And when Kate thinks nothing more can go wrong, the situation worsens.
What a wonderful debut novel! Rhoades captures the mood and feel of the mid-forties farming community with consummate ease. Her descriptive prose is often breathtaking, and Kate’s strong love for Amiens (and her determination to save it from the bank) is well-conveyed. Each chapter is prefaced with a quote from The Woolgrower’s Companion, whose text is often quite apt for the events of that chapter. Her extensive research is apparent in every chapter and her characters are multi-faceted, not necessarily behaving quite as expected. Seven traditional recipes are included at the end, along with Book Club Questions.
Other novels have been written around the theme of Italian POWs working on the land, notably Susan Temby’s The Bread with Seven Crusts, Goldie Goldbloom’s The Paperbark Shoe and Fiona Palmer’s The Sunnyvale Girls, and there are probably hundreds more stories to be told, but none is a carbon copy, and The Woolgrower’s Companion has its own originality. Apart from the treatment of Italian POWs in Australia, Rhoades also touches on the Stolen Generation, PTSD and early dementia. This is a great read and readers will look forward to more from this talented author.
By early 1945, graziers in the Northern Tablelands of NSW were in the grip of an unrelenting drought. Coupled with the scarcity of able-bodied men, who were either fighting in the war, or casualties of it, the situation was dire enough that many property owners welcomed the Rural Employment Scheme. Although Italy had joined the Allies, Italian POWs remained prisoners and were forced to work on farms, despite the community’s enormous sense of resentment and distrust.
Great War veteran, Ralph Stimson had worked hard to build up his Soldier Settler Block into a substantial property, Amiens. He is grateful for the arrival of Luca Canali and Vittorio Bottinella, even if his manager, Keith Grimes is wary. Young Harry Grimes, the manager’s now-orphaned great-nephew has arrived on the same train, destined to live in Keith’s cottage.
With her husband, Jack at war, her mother, Janice, who had always discouraged Kate’s involvement in the paddocks, now two years dead, and her father, who handles all the finances, now acting strangely, Kate is concerned. When Alwyn Addison, the officious (and rather oily) bank manager informs Kate that she will need to make plans to vacate the property unless the overdraft payment is made within eight weeks, she discovers just how perilous their financial situation really is.
Added to her worries is the recent skittiness of fourteen-year-old Daisy, their Aboriginal domestic, and the looks and gentle manner of the POW assigned to help her with the garden are distracting, especially to a woman wedded in haste and separated from Jack after a mere six months of marriage. Of course, for the POWs, fraternisation is an offence attracting jail time. And when Kate thinks nothing more can go wrong, the situation worsens.
What a wonderful debut novel! Rhoades captures the mood and feel of the mid-forties farming community with consummate ease. Her descriptive prose is often breathtaking, and Kate’s strong love for Amiens (and her determination to save it from the bank) is well-conveyed. Each chapter is prefaced with a quote from The Woolgrower’s Companion, whose text is often quite apt for the events of that chapter. Her extensive research is apparent in every chapter and her characters are multi-faceted, not necessarily behaving quite as expected. Seven traditional recipes are included at the end, along with Book Club Questions.
Other novels have been written around the theme of Italian POWs working on the land, notably Susan Temby’s The Bread with Seven Crusts, Goldie Goldbloom’s The Paperbark Shoe and Fiona Palmer’s The Sunnyvale Girls, and there are probably hundreds more stories to be told, but none is a carbon copy, and The Woolgrower’s Companion has its own originality. Apart from the treatment of Italian POWs in Australia, Rhoades also touches on the Stolen Generation, PTSD and early dementia. This is a great read and readers will look forward to more from this talented author.
February 24, 2018
This quite fascinating book is a work of fiction (but based on a real life relative of the author) which takes us to the outback station of Amiens, where Kate Dowd and her father are trying, in 1945, to hold the sheep station together with most of the workers shipped off to fight in WWII, and through a vicious drought. Into this Italian POWs come as cheap labour for the station and Kate's reaction to one of them is adding to her confusion.
Kate's world is a complicated one, her mother is dead, her husband is shipped of in the army without having been married for long enough to really know him even. Her father is succumbing more and more to what the reader will recognise as PTSD, but which to Kate is terrifying and mystifying.
Amiens needs her and she battles to provide what it needs, but she is fighting tradition and the social constraints on women as well as her own doubts.
I really enjoyed this novel. I thought the descriptions of a rural town, station and the societies around it were inspired. The 'flavour' and the voices of the people were very convincing and quite fascinating. This book does not shy away from the tough parts of the 40's, the rapid racism that permeated societies treatment of aboriginal people is a facet of the story, as is the rigid social stratification and sexism of the times. Kate struggles against them most realistically, never falling out of the character or the mentality of a girl of her time.
In the early parts of the book, I felt there were character flaws in Kate's behaviour and several plot building elements annoyed me, so it was a bit of a slow start for me. However, the story and Kate redeem themselves, and by the end I was finding it difficult to put down.
Kate's world is a complicated one, her mother is dead, her husband is shipped of in the army without having been married for long enough to really know him even. Her father is succumbing more and more to what the reader will recognise as PTSD, but which to Kate is terrifying and mystifying.
Amiens needs her and she battles to provide what it needs, but she is fighting tradition and the social constraints on women as well as her own doubts.
I really enjoyed this novel. I thought the descriptions of a rural town, station and the societies around it were inspired. The 'flavour' and the voices of the people were very convincing and quite fascinating. This book does not shy away from the tough parts of the 40's, the rapid racism that permeated societies treatment of aboriginal people is a facet of the story, as is the rigid social stratification and sexism of the times. Kate struggles against them most realistically, never falling out of the character or the mentality of a girl of her time.
In the early parts of the book, I felt there were character flaws in Kate's behaviour and several plot building elements annoyed me, so it was a bit of a slow start for me. However, the story and Kate redeem themselves, and by the end I was finding it difficult to put down.
April 17, 2021
“Mr Harold Kenneth John McGintey was a much smaller man than his name had suggested. Kate had some difficulty seeing much of him at all behind the big desk. He reminded her of an elderly wombat, low to the ground and slow-moving”
By early 1945, graziers in the Northern Tablelands of NSW were in the grip of an unrelenting drought. Coupled with the scarcity of able-bodied men, who were either fighting in the war, or casualties of it, the situation was dire enough that many property owners welcomed the Rural Employment Scheme. Although Italy had joined the Allies, Italian POWs remained prisoners and were forced to work on farms, despite the community’s enormous sense of resentment and distrust.
Great War veteran, Ralph Stimson had worked hard to build up his Soldier Settler Block into a substantial property, Amiens. He is grateful for the arrival of Luca Canali and Vittorio Bottinella, even if his manager, Keith Grimes is wary. Young Harry Grimes, the manager’s now-orphaned great-nephew has arrived on the same train, destined to live in Keith’s cottage.
With her husband, Jack at war, her mother, Janice, who had always discouraged Kate’s involvement in the paddocks, now two years dead, and her father, who handles all the finances, now acting strangely, Kate is concerned. When Alwyn Addison, the officious (and rather oily) bank manager informs Kate that she will need to make plans to vacate the property unless the overdraft payment is made within eight weeks, she discovers just how perilous their financial situation really is.
Added to her worries is the recent skittiness of fourteen-year-old Daisy, their Aboriginal domestic, and the looks and gentle manner of the POW assigned to help her with the garden are distracting, especially to a woman wedded in haste and separated from Jack after a mere six months of marriage. Of course, for the POWs, fraternisation is an offence attracting jail time. And when Kate thinks nothing more can go wrong, the situation worsens.
What a wonderful debut novel! Rhoades captures the mood and feel of the mid-forties farming community with consummate ease. Her descriptive prose is often breathtaking, and Kate’s strong love for Amiens (and her determination to save it from the bank) is well-conveyed. Each chapter is prefaced with a quote from The Woolgrower’s Companion, whose text is often quite apt for the events of that chapter. Her extensive research is apparent in every chapter and her characters are multi-faceted, not necessarily behaving quite as expected. The audio version is read by Edwina Wren.
Other novels have been written around the theme of Italian POWs working on the land, notably Susan Temby’s The Bread with Seven Crusts, Goldie Goldbloom’s The Paperbark Shoe and Fiona Palmer’s The Sunnyvale Girls, and there are probably hundreds more stories to be told, but none is a carbon copy, and The Woolgrower’s Companion has its own originality. Apart from the treatment of Italian POWs in Australia, Rhoades also touches on the Stolen Generation, PTSD and early dementia. This is a great read and readers will look forward to more from this talented author.
By early 1945, graziers in the Northern Tablelands of NSW were in the grip of an unrelenting drought. Coupled with the scarcity of able-bodied men, who were either fighting in the war, or casualties of it, the situation was dire enough that many property owners welcomed the Rural Employment Scheme. Although Italy had joined the Allies, Italian POWs remained prisoners and were forced to work on farms, despite the community’s enormous sense of resentment and distrust.
Great War veteran, Ralph Stimson had worked hard to build up his Soldier Settler Block into a substantial property, Amiens. He is grateful for the arrival of Luca Canali and Vittorio Bottinella, even if his manager, Keith Grimes is wary. Young Harry Grimes, the manager’s now-orphaned great-nephew has arrived on the same train, destined to live in Keith’s cottage.
With her husband, Jack at war, her mother, Janice, who had always discouraged Kate’s involvement in the paddocks, now two years dead, and her father, who handles all the finances, now acting strangely, Kate is concerned. When Alwyn Addison, the officious (and rather oily) bank manager informs Kate that she will need to make plans to vacate the property unless the overdraft payment is made within eight weeks, she discovers just how perilous their financial situation really is.
Added to her worries is the recent skittiness of fourteen-year-old Daisy, their Aboriginal domestic, and the looks and gentle manner of the POW assigned to help her with the garden are distracting, especially to a woman wedded in haste and separated from Jack after a mere six months of marriage. Of course, for the POWs, fraternisation is an offence attracting jail time. And when Kate thinks nothing more can go wrong, the situation worsens.
What a wonderful debut novel! Rhoades captures the mood and feel of the mid-forties farming community with consummate ease. Her descriptive prose is often breathtaking, and Kate’s strong love for Amiens (and her determination to save it from the bank) is well-conveyed. Each chapter is prefaced with a quote from The Woolgrower’s Companion, whose text is often quite apt for the events of that chapter. Her extensive research is apparent in every chapter and her characters are multi-faceted, not necessarily behaving quite as expected. The audio version is read by Edwina Wren.
Other novels have been written around the theme of Italian POWs working on the land, notably Susan Temby’s The Bread with Seven Crusts, Goldie Goldbloom’s The Paperbark Shoe and Fiona Palmer’s The Sunnyvale Girls, and there are probably hundreds more stories to be told, but none is a carbon copy, and The Woolgrower’s Companion has its own originality. Apart from the treatment of Italian POWs in Australia, Rhoades also touches on the Stolen Generation, PTSD and early dementia. This is a great read and readers will look forward to more from this talented author.
June 30, 2018
It wasn’t as much of reading this book as it was experiencing the life changing transformation that took place of Kate Dowd. Kate really had been the little woman who was taken care of in every way possible to the point of, to put it blankly, being pretty useless at most things. Kate lives with her father on the family sheep ranch in Australia, it is 1945 and they have just taken in two Italian POW men to help out on the farm during one of the worst droughts they have ever lived through. Kate’s husband is away in the army and her widowed father’s health isn’t at it’s best. When the bank come knocking on the door Kate has to either roll over and give in roll her sleeves up and find out what she is really made of.
What a tremendous story this is. It was like Pygmalion in reverse because the lady of the house really had to learn how to be one of the boys if she was to save the day. I loved this new Kate that was terrified inside but just kept coming back. It had the elements that make me be involved with the punch in the air victories but with paragraphs on the same page that you could have knocked me down with a feather because of the injustice of it all because she was a woman.
Although a love story, this is a book more about a woman finding a passion inside her not only for a man but for life, for the farm, the animals and injustices of racism. Joy Rhoades brings to life the blood sweat and tears of her characters and harsh realities of an era full of prejudices in a land that refused to tamed by any man or woman. I am delighted that a second book is promised too. There is so much more that I want to know about Kate’s life and where it will lead her to.
What a tremendous story this is. It was like Pygmalion in reverse because the lady of the house really had to learn how to be one of the boys if she was to save the day. I loved this new Kate that was terrified inside but just kept coming back. It had the elements that make me be involved with the punch in the air victories but with paragraphs on the same page that you could have knocked me down with a feather because of the injustice of it all because she was a woman.
Although a love story, this is a book more about a woman finding a passion inside her not only for a man but for life, for the farm, the animals and injustices of racism. Joy Rhoades brings to life the blood sweat and tears of her characters and harsh realities of an era full of prejudices in a land that refused to tamed by any man or woman. I am delighted that a second book is promised too. There is so much more that I want to know about Kate’s life and where it will lead her to.
June 27, 2018
I’m on a roll for reading fantastic historical fiction and The Woolgrower’s Companion was no exception! It’s a fabulous read, full of history detail, heartbreak, endurance and love.
I loved the beautiful descriptions of Australia, in particular the wonderful sunsets. The author so vividly described the rugged landscape that I felt I could feel the heat on my face and the dust in my mouth. It was fascinating to learn more about Australian history during the war and to discover they also had rationing and had a shortage of workers due to men away fighting. I’ve always thought they were largely uneffected like America so it was interesting to learn otherwise.
My favourite character was Kate. I thought she was so strong and determined trying to keep the farm going and keep everything together. She obviously loves her father and her home which is very touching to see. When she falls in love I was so happy for her as I felt she deserved it after everything she’d been through.
The love affair was wonderful to read about as it felt so real. It was so tender and sweet which was even more touching when contrasted against such a rugged harsh landscape. It was a great to see Kate let her hair down a bit and get a break from the stress of her life. I was on tenderhooks throughout the book wondering what would happen and hoping for a happy ending.
The Woolgrower’s Companion is a fairly easy read which I mean as a compliment. Joy’s writing just draws you into the story and makes you care about the characters you meet there. I wanted to keep reading to find out more about them and to discover what would happen to them. I was quite sad to finish the book and leave them behind but I understand that the author is currently working on a sequel so I’ll look forward to reading that!
Huge thanks to Sian Devine and Vintage books for inviting me onto the blog tour and for my copy of this book. If you like beautifully written, heartbreaking historical fiction with a wonderful romance at its centre you’ll love this book!
I loved the beautiful descriptions of Australia, in particular the wonderful sunsets. The author so vividly described the rugged landscape that I felt I could feel the heat on my face and the dust in my mouth. It was fascinating to learn more about Australian history during the war and to discover they also had rationing and had a shortage of workers due to men away fighting. I’ve always thought they were largely uneffected like America so it was interesting to learn otherwise.
My favourite character was Kate. I thought she was so strong and determined trying to keep the farm going and keep everything together. She obviously loves her father and her home which is very touching to see. When she falls in love I was so happy for her as I felt she deserved it after everything she’d been through.
The love affair was wonderful to read about as it felt so real. It was so tender and sweet which was even more touching when contrasted against such a rugged harsh landscape. It was a great to see Kate let her hair down a bit and get a break from the stress of her life. I was on tenderhooks throughout the book wondering what would happen and hoping for a happy ending.
The Woolgrower’s Companion is a fairly easy read which I mean as a compliment. Joy’s writing just draws you into the story and makes you care about the characters you meet there. I wanted to keep reading to find out more about them and to discover what would happen to them. I was quite sad to finish the book and leave them behind but I understand that the author is currently working on a sequel so I’ll look forward to reading that!
Huge thanks to Sian Devine and Vintage books for inviting me onto the blog tour and for my copy of this book. If you like beautifully written, heartbreaking historical fiction with a wonderful romance at its centre you’ll love this book!
April 11, 2017
The Woolgrower's Companion is set on a sprawling sheep station in Northern New South Wales, Australia ~ era 1945.
The main character, Kate is left to look after and manage her father's property named Amiens with only The Woolgrower's Companion to guide her. (See the excerpts at the beginning of each chapter).
Her father has borne war wounds from the Great War and has been affected and in doing so has become vague and neglectful of his duties, it is all left up to his daughter, Kate to take over management which she does in her own way.
Kate is independent and tries to be strong in saving the property but along the way she treads through many different paths, some to destruction and hurt.
There are some important factors Kate leaves unseen or cannot forsee.
The descriptions of the Australian birdlife and landscape portrayed in this novel are beautiful.
Read this great new novel, The Woolgrower's Companion and find out.
This is a great Australian read.
I really enjoyed it.
There's a touch of romance with Luca from Italy and some traditional Aussie recipes from The Country Women's Association Cookbook at the back to savour and enjoy!
I'm glad I picked this one off the shelf.
Read with a homemade Anzac biscuit or a freshly baked scone with jam 'n fresh cream and a good, strong cup of tea.
The Woolgrower's Companion by Joy Rhoades.
Recommended.
The main character, Kate is left to look after and manage her father's property named Amiens with only The Woolgrower's Companion to guide her. (See the excerpts at the beginning of each chapter).
Her father has borne war wounds from the Great War and has been affected and in doing so has become vague and neglectful of his duties, it is all left up to his daughter, Kate to take over management which she does in her own way.
Kate is independent and tries to be strong in saving the property but along the way she treads through many different paths, some to destruction and hurt.
There are some important factors Kate leaves unseen or cannot forsee.
The descriptions of the Australian birdlife and landscape portrayed in this novel are beautiful.
Read this great new novel, The Woolgrower's Companion and find out.
This is a great Australian read.
I really enjoyed it.
There's a touch of romance with Luca from Italy and some traditional Aussie recipes from The Country Women's Association Cookbook at the back to savour and enjoy!
I'm glad I picked this one off the shelf.
Read with a homemade Anzac biscuit or a freshly baked scone with jam 'n fresh cream and a good, strong cup of tea.
The Woolgrower's Companion by Joy Rhoades.
Recommended.
June 27, 2018
Well, what can I say about this book, other than; It is incredibly moving and astoundingly good. Really, this book is really too good for words! The Woolgrowers Companion is Ms Rhoades debut and, my goodness what an introduction, this highly talented author is going to go very far in the world of historical fiction. I love the fact that ‘The Woolgrowers Companion’ is based on the real-life story of one of the author’s ancestors, and at the start of each chapter is a little quote from The Wool Growers Companion which fits in beautifully with the way the story and chapter is going. This is an astonishing, emotionally raw and beautifully written book which handles some very difficult subjects, but Ms Rhoades has covered them with the upmost care.
Set during 1945 in North South Wales, Australia where a young woman, Kate Dowd who has always been brought up to be a proper lady by her later mother has had to cast aside her lady-like gloves and behavior to help on her family farm; Amiens along with her increasing worrisome father; who built up the farm from scratch at the end of WW1. With the war nearing an end, the area is dry with drought and lack of able-bodied men, all gone due to the war which including her husband of six months; Jack. Amiens is the recipient of two Italian POW’s; Luca and Vittorio her father is very grateful for the help and so is Kate that is until she is given one of them to help her in the kitchen garden.
She becomes increasingly drawn to handsome and gentlemanly Luca, he isn’t at all what she expected when they had agreed to take on two POW’s. He is polite, hardworking and kind she knows she shouldn’t take an interest in Luca and he knows that fraternizing with the local girls is punishable with imprisonment and, yet there is a spark between them. To add to Kate’s worries her father has been borrowing money that they can’t possibly pay back, and the horrible bank manager is on the war path to take Amiens from them.
This book is simply stunning! Ms Rhoades has a rare gift for story-telling, she entices and enthrall’s with her articulate writing and rich, atmospheric detail that transports you from your armchair to 1945 Australia. Her attention to detail is min-blowing, the plot and characters are perfect, the story moves forward in a very natural and at times surprising way, each scene is full of historic details and mood of the times and characters. Rhoades has created a beautiful story that I can guarantee will stay with you long after you close the last page.
There are some very harsh and brutal moments such as racism, bigotry, PTSD and early stages Dementia which, Rhoades deals with it all in a respectful and honest and in a way that leaves a real sense of what these characters are going through. The authors genuine love of the story and her extensive research is evident on every page.
This really is something special, it is a fascinating and moving portrayal of the time from a new author whose career I am looking forward to reading more from.
Set during 1945 in North South Wales, Australia where a young woman, Kate Dowd who has always been brought up to be a proper lady by her later mother has had to cast aside her lady-like gloves and behavior to help on her family farm; Amiens along with her increasing worrisome father; who built up the farm from scratch at the end of WW1. With the war nearing an end, the area is dry with drought and lack of able-bodied men, all gone due to the war which including her husband of six months; Jack. Amiens is the recipient of two Italian POW’s; Luca and Vittorio her father is very grateful for the help and so is Kate that is until she is given one of them to help her in the kitchen garden.
She becomes increasingly drawn to handsome and gentlemanly Luca, he isn’t at all what she expected when they had agreed to take on two POW’s. He is polite, hardworking and kind she knows she shouldn’t take an interest in Luca and he knows that fraternizing with the local girls is punishable with imprisonment and, yet there is a spark between them. To add to Kate’s worries her father has been borrowing money that they can’t possibly pay back, and the horrible bank manager is on the war path to take Amiens from them.
This book is simply stunning! Ms Rhoades has a rare gift for story-telling, she entices and enthrall’s with her articulate writing and rich, atmospheric detail that transports you from your armchair to 1945 Australia. Her attention to detail is min-blowing, the plot and characters are perfect, the story moves forward in a very natural and at times surprising way, each scene is full of historic details and mood of the times and characters. Rhoades has created a beautiful story that I can guarantee will stay with you long after you close the last page.
There are some very harsh and brutal moments such as racism, bigotry, PTSD and early stages Dementia which, Rhoades deals with it all in a respectful and honest and in a way that leaves a real sense of what these characters are going through. The authors genuine love of the story and her extensive research is evident on every page.
This really is something special, it is a fascinating and moving portrayal of the time from a new author whose career I am looking forward to reading more from.
June 30, 2018
If you’re a fan of historical fiction, I highly recommend you read this historical drama set against the backdrop of WWII. The war is coming to an end, but for Kate, the fight is just beginning. Rhoades’ writing brings this story to life in a captivating way, through her detailed descriptions of the climate, so atmospheric, the political stance of society and the historical accuracy – I had no idea Italians were POW in Australia. What really stood out for me was the strength of Rhoades writing, how she handled sensitive subject matter, such as Kate’s father’s mental health, and the treatment of the Aboriginal people, among other things – it was never dramatic or sensationalised, instead it felt like a true account. One I believed in, one I was invested in.
Kate is a brilliant character, while I loved the setting of this novel, The Woolgrower’s Companion is very much Kate’s coming-of-age – in love and in life. There’s a kindness and a determination to her character, and as the story progresses you quietly see Kate come into her own. I say quietly because much of this novel is subtle, it’s realistic and has you believing in it. Kate is human, and you see her flaws, but you root for her, to save the farm, you also root for her happiness. I’m not a huge fan of romance but I loved the way it was written in this novel, like the rest of this novel it was subtle – a forbidden love, where the risk is high – from the offset, you’re hoping for a happy ending for Kate, but nothing is simple in love and war…
The issues of race and class were expertly handled in this novel; it was interesting to see how Kate’s character evolved within these constraints. Also to see her fight against the patriarchy, for no one believed a woman could save, and run, a farm. Equally interesting was the character of Daisy, a young Aboriginal maid, I’ll say nothing more about her character, as it’s for you to discover for yourself, just know my heart was with Daisy throughout.
The Woolgrower’s Companion took me by surprise, in that I wasn’t expecting to love it as much as I did. You can see the thought that went into penning it, the care that went into its delivery, the heart that brought it to life. It is an extremely impressive debut. There’s so much more I could talk about regarding the plot, but I think you should just read the book and discover it for yourself. The Woolgrower’s Companion is a coming-of-age novel, a novel of survival, a novel of forbidden love, a novel of endurance, and most importantly, a novel you need to read this summer!
*My thanks to the Joy Rhoades, Sian Devine and Vintage for providing me with a free copy of this book*
Kate is a brilliant character, while I loved the setting of this novel, The Woolgrower’s Companion is very much Kate’s coming-of-age – in love and in life. There’s a kindness and a determination to her character, and as the story progresses you quietly see Kate come into her own. I say quietly because much of this novel is subtle, it’s realistic and has you believing in it. Kate is human, and you see her flaws, but you root for her, to save the farm, you also root for her happiness. I’m not a huge fan of romance but I loved the way it was written in this novel, like the rest of this novel it was subtle – a forbidden love, where the risk is high – from the offset, you’re hoping for a happy ending for Kate, but nothing is simple in love and war…
The issues of race and class were expertly handled in this novel; it was interesting to see how Kate’s character evolved within these constraints. Also to see her fight against the patriarchy, for no one believed a woman could save, and run, a farm. Equally interesting was the character of Daisy, a young Aboriginal maid, I’ll say nothing more about her character, as it’s for you to discover for yourself, just know my heart was with Daisy throughout.
The Woolgrower’s Companion took me by surprise, in that I wasn’t expecting to love it as much as I did. You can see the thought that went into penning it, the care that went into its delivery, the heart that brought it to life. It is an extremely impressive debut. There’s so much more I could talk about regarding the plot, but I think you should just read the book and discover it for yourself. The Woolgrower’s Companion is a coming-of-age novel, a novel of survival, a novel of forbidden love, a novel of endurance, and most importantly, a novel you need to read this summer!
*My thanks to the Joy Rhoades, Sian Devine and Vintage for providing me with a free copy of this book*
July 4, 2018
I enjoyed listening and discussing this audio book with my driving companion as it encompassed a wide range of early 40's Australian history. I didn't know Italian POW's were transported from Europe and elsewhere and brought to work on rural farms. Rhoades' explanation of the treatment of Aboriginals was interesting as she tried to give historical reference to the modern reader the poor treatment of non-white Australians. There were many inconsistencies in the story (like the foreman not allowing the POW's to ride a bicycle in case they tried to escape, yet they drove the farm's trucks!). I thought the author's story telling was good, except for the romantic bits, which felt contrived. Her writing about the sleazy bank manager was much better and more realistic.
July 5, 2018
Historical romance with a bit of grit - this is an assured debut from Joy Rhoades and sheds light on a lot of hidden stories from a period in history that doesn't have a lot of diverse voices. The Woolgrower's Companion is set in country Australia in 1945 and its central cast includes young Aboriginal people, Italian POWs and, primarily, a young woman trying to save her family farm as her (somewhat tyrannical) father begins a steady decline. A quite heartbreaking tale, as the hardships all the characters face are not shied away from at all, this is a vividly told novel - you can almost smell the dried gum leaves and feel the heat of the Australian countryside as you read. The recipes at the back are a lovely touch too.
December 7, 2018
It's a very good Australian story. I truly enjoyed reading. But it wasn't gripping me. And while I read it I wasn't terribly keen or committed to the story. And so it will take 3 stars.
June 14, 2017
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A detailed and well written account of life on the land at the conclusion of WWII in Australia. Times are tough, the drought goes on and personal circumstances make life for Kate a challenge to say the least.
‘You were right, you know,’ Meg called. ‘Sheilas have to be brave every bloody day. Men just need it in bursts, the bastards.’
I enjoyed how each chapter title included a quote from, ‘The Woolgrower’s Companion’; and how the author tried to tie in the text to events that were to immediately unfold. Aside from an interesting narrative, there are many topical issues fictionalised which made for interesting reading.
Firstly there are the Australian Aborigines and the ‘Stolen Generation’ - the whole racism issue and the way society treated, especially young Aboriginal girls, in these circumstances is well handled I feel. There is also the anxiety Kate faces concerning her father’s behaviour. Twofold here as on the one hand he faces PTSD from his time in the war and the loss of his wife, followed by what would appear to be the onset of dementia. A traumatic time for all involved, and once again I feel that the author realistically portrayed both the anguish for family and the great sadness for this largely non prescribed disease of the 1940s. I appreciated also how the book presented the strict social codes of the time with regards to Kate and her relationships with everyone from her father, to absent husband, to Aboriginal maid, to even her dealings with the bank manager. Kate’s struggle to evolve in these various roles is again authentic and gently portrayed. Finally we have the addition of Italian POWs brought to Australia to work on outback stations. Shipped from POW camps for labour on these farms, is a fact I was not familiar with and found most interesting.
A little slow at times and with characters needing a little more depth (for example it would have been good to have alternate narrators and not just Kate - what of her father? husband? Luca?) to truly feel engaged with these sad circumstances. However, the author has done her research, even down to all the Australian slang, making this a recommended read should this time period appeal to you.
A detailed and well written account of life on the land at the conclusion of WWII in Australia. Times are tough, the drought goes on and personal circumstances make life for Kate a challenge to say the least.
‘You were right, you know,’ Meg called. ‘Sheilas have to be brave every bloody day. Men just need it in bursts, the bastards.’
I enjoyed how each chapter title included a quote from, ‘The Woolgrower’s Companion’; and how the author tried to tie in the text to events that were to immediately unfold. Aside from an interesting narrative, there are many topical issues fictionalised which made for interesting reading.
Firstly there are the Australian Aborigines and the ‘Stolen Generation’ - the whole racism issue and the way society treated, especially young Aboriginal girls, in these circumstances is well handled I feel. There is also the anxiety Kate faces concerning her father’s behaviour. Twofold here as on the one hand he faces PTSD from his time in the war and the loss of his wife, followed by what would appear to be the onset of dementia. A traumatic time for all involved, and once again I feel that the author realistically portrayed both the anguish for family and the great sadness for this largely non prescribed disease of the 1940s. I appreciated also how the book presented the strict social codes of the time with regards to Kate and her relationships with everyone from her father, to absent husband, to Aboriginal maid, to even her dealings with the bank manager. Kate’s struggle to evolve in these various roles is again authentic and gently portrayed. Finally we have the addition of Italian POWs brought to Australia to work on outback stations. Shipped from POW camps for labour on these farms, is a fact I was not familiar with and found most interesting.
A little slow at times and with characters needing a little more depth (for example it would have been good to have alternate narrators and not just Kate - what of her father? husband? Luca?) to truly feel engaged with these sad circumstances. However, the author has done her research, even down to all the Australian slang, making this a recommended read should this time period appeal to you.
July 12, 2017
3.5 stars. This was slow to get going but there's enough interest to keep you reading. Once I hit 2/3 the way through I couldn't put it down. The ending felt a little up in the air but still a good read.
March 17, 2018
An easy, enjoyable read with a great storyline. Touches on themes of class, PTSD, Indigenous issues. I really enjoyed the ending and the fact that it was left a little ambiguous and the storyline wasn't neatly tied up with all the readers' questions answered.
September 20, 2018
First of all, a huge thank you to the author, Joy Rhoades for getting in touch and asking whether I'd be interested in reviewing her novel and to Virago UK for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review. I had already seen some very positive reviews of this book from my fellow bloggers and was really looking forward to getting stuck in. I'm a big fan of historical fiction, especially when based around the Second World War period and even more so when we get to hear about a country aside from Germany, France, Holland or Britain that was based so far away from the immediate troubles but you could still see the devastating effects that the war had on the communities. I particularly love reading about countries that I've never visited before and the landscape and culture were so vividly drawn in The Woolgrower's Companion that I could almost imagine I was right there experiencing everything our characters are going through at that point in their lives.
Our female lead for the novel is Kate Dowds who lives on an estate, Amiens that farms primarily sheep, with her father in New South Wales. The year is 1945 and Kate soon finds out that the family are in dire financial straits with the terrifying possibility that Amiens will be re-claimed by the bank and that her and her father will be forced to leave and find a new home and livelihood. Kate's father hasn't been the same since he returned from the Great War, his memory decidedly unreliable and his moods changeable, prone to uncharacteristic outbursts. Additionally, two Italian prisoners of war have recently arrived at Amiens in order to help with the daily work, Luca and Vittorio but instead of being put at ease and relieved by their presence, Kate feels increasingly threatened and confused. Brought up as a lady and not accustomed to the hard work of running a farm, Kate must not only step up and take on more responsibility for running Amiens due to her fathers ill-health but she must also find a way to raise the money to save the family from an increasingly dire situation. However, as the money continues to trickle away, her father slowly deteriorates, the bank closes in and the tension between workers heightens on the estate, Kate begins to realise how desperate her life has really become and must draw on all her abilities to rescue them all.
Although it took me a little while to become fully invested in this story, by about halfway through I had become enraptured with both the plot and the characters, particularly our female lead, Kate, the struggles she goes through and the patience, strength and determination she displays to try and get herself and her father out of a very sticky situation. I've had personal experience with witnessing a person I know with PTSD and I fully understand how frightening, heart-breaking and frustrating it can be not only for the individual going through it but for the people around that it also affects and so my heart broke a little bit for Kate each time we saw a scene with her and her father. His reactions to his daughter were so familiar and reminiscent of my own experiences that at times, it was difficult to read but at the same time, highly rewarding as I felt even more connected to Kate than when I first began the novel.
Finally, I appreciated that the author didn't make this novel a typical love story which it could quite easily have been. Perhaps the reader might realise where the narrative is heading eventually but I was delighted that it wasn't all about the romance. It was much more about Kate as a character, her struggles and triumphs, the difficult relationship with her father, the treatment of the Aboriginal people and in effect, it was more a love story to Australia itself as the description of the land and the creatures within it was nothing short of magnificent and so visceral in the details. I would definitely be interested in reading more from Joy Rhoades in the future and was mesmerised by a truly captivating story.
For my full review and many more, please visit my blog at http://www.bibliobeth.com
Our female lead for the novel is Kate Dowds who lives on an estate, Amiens that farms primarily sheep, with her father in New South Wales. The year is 1945 and Kate soon finds out that the family are in dire financial straits with the terrifying possibility that Amiens will be re-claimed by the bank and that her and her father will be forced to leave and find a new home and livelihood. Kate's father hasn't been the same since he returned from the Great War, his memory decidedly unreliable and his moods changeable, prone to uncharacteristic outbursts. Additionally, two Italian prisoners of war have recently arrived at Amiens in order to help with the daily work, Luca and Vittorio but instead of being put at ease and relieved by their presence, Kate feels increasingly threatened and confused. Brought up as a lady and not accustomed to the hard work of running a farm, Kate must not only step up and take on more responsibility for running Amiens due to her fathers ill-health but she must also find a way to raise the money to save the family from an increasingly dire situation. However, as the money continues to trickle away, her father slowly deteriorates, the bank closes in and the tension between workers heightens on the estate, Kate begins to realise how desperate her life has really become and must draw on all her abilities to rescue them all.
Although it took me a little while to become fully invested in this story, by about halfway through I had become enraptured with both the plot and the characters, particularly our female lead, Kate, the struggles she goes through and the patience, strength and determination she displays to try and get herself and her father out of a very sticky situation. I've had personal experience with witnessing a person I know with PTSD and I fully understand how frightening, heart-breaking and frustrating it can be not only for the individual going through it but for the people around that it also affects and so my heart broke a little bit for Kate each time we saw a scene with her and her father. His reactions to his daughter were so familiar and reminiscent of my own experiences that at times, it was difficult to read but at the same time, highly rewarding as I felt even more connected to Kate than when I first began the novel.
Finally, I appreciated that the author didn't make this novel a typical love story which it could quite easily have been. Perhaps the reader might realise where the narrative is heading eventually but I was delighted that it wasn't all about the romance. It was much more about Kate as a character, her struggles and triumphs, the difficult relationship with her father, the treatment of the Aboriginal people and in effect, it was more a love story to Australia itself as the description of the land and the creatures within it was nothing short of magnificent and so visceral in the details. I would definitely be interested in reading more from Joy Rhoades in the future and was mesmerised by a truly captivating story.
For my full review and many more, please visit my blog at http://www.bibliobeth.com
July 7, 2018
You could be forgiven for thinking that The Woolgrower's Companion would be what I call a 'Mammy's book' from looking at the cover but it has so much depth and emotion that it is far from the family saga I was initially expecting. Each chapter starts with an extract from a sheep farmer's manual published in 1906: The Woolgrower's Companion; this is so authentic that I thought it was a real book and I was astonished to find that it was Joy Rhoades' very own creation.
The story revolves around Kate: a woman in a man's world. As her father becomes more and more incapable of running the farm, the responsibility falls to Kate but a lot of the men aren't willing to work for a sheila. Some men don't have any choice, as they are Italian prisoners of war and have been shipped to Australia to work on the land until the war is over.
Unbeknown to Kate, her father has been running up debts with local traders and more importantly with the bank. Now the bank are knocking at the door and demanding their money back. Kate sells what little items of value that she has but she still falls short; there's only one thing of value left, a rare yellow sapphire, but Kate's father doesn't know where he has hidden it. With time running out, Kate is set to lose more than the farm as she finds herself getting closer to Luca, one of the POWs. With a husband she barely knows away at war, Kate could easily lose her heart to Luca if she's not careful.
This book is so beautifully written that it creeps into your heart so slowly at first but it very quickly takes root, culminating in an emotional explosion as events around Kate unfold. I found the plight of the aborigines very moving and it's something I haven't thought about before but the way they were treated is shocking, after all, Australia was their country first. I absolutely love learning something whilst I am reading fiction books and I found it fascinating that so many Italian prisoners of war were sent to Australia. I suppose returning home after the war must have been daunting for the Italian soldiers, with many having no families left, so some Australians sponsored the Italians to return; it's so lovely to think that those who were once enemies became friends.
What an exceptional debut from Joy Rhoades and an absolute joy to read. The Woolgrower's Companion is a beautiful, authentic and multi-faceted historical novel that has more depth than the Pacific Ocean. I am delighted that this is only the beginning of Kate's story and I am already looking forward to the sequel.
I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
The story revolves around Kate: a woman in a man's world. As her father becomes more and more incapable of running the farm, the responsibility falls to Kate but a lot of the men aren't willing to work for a sheila. Some men don't have any choice, as they are Italian prisoners of war and have been shipped to Australia to work on the land until the war is over.
Unbeknown to Kate, her father has been running up debts with local traders and more importantly with the bank. Now the bank are knocking at the door and demanding their money back. Kate sells what little items of value that she has but she still falls short; there's only one thing of value left, a rare yellow sapphire, but Kate's father doesn't know where he has hidden it. With time running out, Kate is set to lose more than the farm as she finds herself getting closer to Luca, one of the POWs. With a husband she barely knows away at war, Kate could easily lose her heart to Luca if she's not careful.
This book is so beautifully written that it creeps into your heart so slowly at first but it very quickly takes root, culminating in an emotional explosion as events around Kate unfold. I found the plight of the aborigines very moving and it's something I haven't thought about before but the way they were treated is shocking, after all, Australia was their country first. I absolutely love learning something whilst I am reading fiction books and I found it fascinating that so many Italian prisoners of war were sent to Australia. I suppose returning home after the war must have been daunting for the Italian soldiers, with many having no families left, so some Australians sponsored the Italians to return; it's so lovely to think that those who were once enemies became friends.
What an exceptional debut from Joy Rhoades and an absolute joy to read. The Woolgrower's Companion is a beautiful, authentic and multi-faceted historical novel that has more depth than the Pacific Ocean. I am delighted that this is only the beginning of Kate's story and I am already looking forward to the sequel.
I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
February 1, 2026
Mildly entertaining but a bit bland. Lots happening with lots of themes - the war (both the major ones) & ongoing impact on participants, the treatment of POWs, attitudes to women & aborigines in the 1940s, the challenges of farming in a drought, banks. And a love story at its core. But it felt a little remote - I didn't really feel like I understood several of the key (male) characters - particularly the husband & the POW.
August 14, 2020
One of those books were you just feel all cosy and happy.
I could have read this in two days, but I was loving it so much that I didn’t want it to end. I didn’t want to finish it. But it was beautiful
I could have read this in two days, but I was loving it so much that I didn’t want it to end. I didn’t want to finish it. But it was beautiful
November 10, 2017
A compelling and quintessential Australian drama about the strength of one woman to triumph through adversity, a beautiful read
dnf
March 4, 2019I am bored, and when one is bored then give up
January 2, 2026
Amazing book Well written.
September 29, 2021
Enjoyable historical novel.
April 4, 2017
A light read, but predictable plot and kind of disappointing ending ... needs a sequel!
June 30, 2018
Set towards the end of World War 2, Kate Dowd lives with her father on their sheep station Amiens, in the Australian outback. Kate’s husband Jack (whom she married after not knowing him for long) is away training soldiers. Also living on the farm are Grimes, who oversees the day to day running of the farm, his young nephew Henry, some Aboriginal farm workers, a 14-year-old aboriginal housekeeper Daisy and 2 Italian POW labourers. Her father’s mental health is failing and Kate finds herself taking on a lot of the day to day management of the farm, and is shocked to find the farm is nearly bankrupt. She has just 8 weeks to pay off the debt or loose the farm and her home.
Kate’s life until now has been sheltered and she finds she must step up to the challenges of managing the farm, repaying the debt and looking after her father.
I really like historical books, especially those set in more recent times and those that teach me about different cultures. I know little about Australia and this book describes the racism towards the Aboriginal people and how they were essentially treated as slaves. I also didn’t know about the Italian POW labourers that were drafted in to help on the land while the men were away fighting.
The growth in Kate’s character is marvellous to see – she goes from a naïve young woman to a strong character and the strength she is showing by the end of the book makes me want to cheer!
I’d have liked to see the characters padded out a little more – they all seem to drink a lot of tea and eat a lot of bikkies but there is something missing from the book that makes me feel I’ve not really connected to them. There are a couple of plot points that I figured out very early on in the book – maybe the clues are too obvious (or I am remarkably clever!) but it’s a shame I had them figured out or I would have been suitably surprised!
It ends without everything being resolved and I'm pleased to say Joy is working on a sequel!
Kate’s life until now has been sheltered and she finds she must step up to the challenges of managing the farm, repaying the debt and looking after her father.
I really like historical books, especially those set in more recent times and those that teach me about different cultures. I know little about Australia and this book describes the racism towards the Aboriginal people and how they were essentially treated as slaves. I also didn’t know about the Italian POW labourers that were drafted in to help on the land while the men were away fighting.
The growth in Kate’s character is marvellous to see – she goes from a naïve young woman to a strong character and the strength she is showing by the end of the book makes me want to cheer!
I’d have liked to see the characters padded out a little more – they all seem to drink a lot of tea and eat a lot of bikkies but there is something missing from the book that makes me feel I’ve not really connected to them. There are a couple of plot points that I figured out very early on in the book – maybe the clues are too obvious (or I am remarkably clever!) but it’s a shame I had them figured out or I would have been suitably surprised!
It ends without everything being resolved and I'm pleased to say Joy is working on a sequel!
July 12, 2017
The Woolgrower’s Companion is the story of a woman’s personal growth entwined with a love story. Kate is a young, newly-married woman whose husband is away training troops during the second World War. Burdened by debt and drought, she and her father are trying to keep Amiens, the family sheep property financial with the aid of a few farm hands and aboriginal workers and two Italian POWs. Kate is struggling to overcome the influence of traditional Australian attitudes in an era when women saw pearls as the symbol of respectable womanhood, men were tough and gritty, and the aboriginal culture was valued only for the work done in the kitchen or on a horse. Foreign cultures were regarded with suspicion and not to be trusted yet Kate gradually realises that a relationship is developing between herself and one of the POWs.
Kate has to manage her father’s death, and learn to confront the dominating male arrogance towards women who whose place was in the home not in running a property. Bias and cultural ignorance are hurdles she overcomes growing more confident with each challenge.
I enjoyed reading Joy’s debut novel about outback Australia in the 1940s and I think she has captured the essence of those times and the attitudes, snobbery and cultural ignorance of the small town community. The lead characters are interesting and my only criticism is that I yearned for greater depth in her characterisation.
The ending leaves the reader wondering if Kate will be successful in retaining the property Amiens and whether she can make a success of her marriage to Jack.
Kate has to manage her father’s death, and learn to confront the dominating male arrogance towards women who whose place was in the home not in running a property. Bias and cultural ignorance are hurdles she overcomes growing more confident with each challenge.
I enjoyed reading Joy’s debut novel about outback Australia in the 1940s and I think she has captured the essence of those times and the attitudes, snobbery and cultural ignorance of the small town community. The lead characters are interesting and my only criticism is that I yearned for greater depth in her characterisation.
The ending leaves the reader wondering if Kate will be successful in retaining the property Amiens and whether she can make a success of her marriage to Jack.
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