Leap of Faith

by Jenny Pattrick

A vivid novel about ingenuity and hard slog, crooks and dreamers, bootleggers and love.

Billy is a young, impressionable dreamer. In 1907, he strikes off on his own, keen to prove himself an able worker on the new railroad. It’s being cut through steep mountainsides and across deep gullies to join the two ends of the Main Trunk Line. Also drawn to the remote worker settlements are miners from Denniston, young men fresh off the boat, sly-groggers, temperance campaigners, women following their menfolk, local Maori and a varied assortment of people after a new life or a quick buck.

Among them is a preacher, Gabriel Locke, who is running from a shady past and determined to avoid the daily grind. With untimely and suspicious deaths, the horrendous weather, impossible deadlines, the rugged landscape and a blossoming romance, it will take a lot more than a leap of faith for this disparate group to complete the railroad and build the magnificent Makatote viaduct . . .

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical

Paperback

Published April 3, 2017

About the author

Jenny Pattrick is an acclaimed historical novelist, whose The Denniston Rose, and its sequel Heart of Coal, are among New Zealand's bestselling novels. In 2009 she received the New Zealand Post Mansfield Fellowship. She has been active in the arts community, and has also written stories, songs and shows for children.

Jenny Pattrick has been awarded the OBE for services to the arts, the 1990 medal, is featured in the Wellington Girls' College Hall of Fame and has received the NZ Post Katherine Mansfield Prize.

Reviews

[Jesse Reiss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Returning from a trip to New Zealand where I stumbled upon this book in the airport, I was grabbed by the viaduct I had just seen that week on the cover. I had just spent a couple days around Horopito and Ohakune where my family has heritage. My Great Grandmother (Ida Coldstream) was a midwife in the camps that built the railways through the mountains. My family has stories of my family growing up in the area.

Now to find an incredible story filled with lively characters struggling with this great enterprise through the New Zealand wilderness... What a treat. I've hiked the Old Coach road and walked along the old viaduct she writes about. I've seen the old abandoned schoolhouse where my grandmother went to school. The characters in the book came to life in so many ways.

I'd recommend this book to anyone that wants a great historical fiction novel that truly delivers.

Jesse Reiss
Los Angeles

[Annette Mouat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jenny Pattrick also wrote Denniston Rose and this is a similar type of historical NZ story. In fact the author has brought across a couple of characters from Denniston Rose, one being Rose herself (but you don’t need to read that book first). Whilst fiction, it’s based around true events - the construction of the Makatote railway viaduct in the Ruapehu area in the early 1900s. It was a harsh and dangerous environment.

I very much enjoyed this book, probably mainly because of having travelled in that area the descriptions of the environment were vivid. The history too was fascinating, but sobering to think of people living and working in such tough conditions. There were some interesting characters that I could easily picture and some laugh out loud moments (and some sad ones too).

Would be 4.5 stars if I could give half stars!

[Angelique Simonsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

once again jenny pattrick delivers! i love her historical nz fiction. this one is set in the central north island. i loved Billys and ruris characters.

[Angela Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best selling New Zealand novelist Jenny Patrick draws the reader in with her description of a bungy jumper throwing himself from a viaduct bridge situated in the Central North Island, an image repeated as a central theme of the story of building of the bridge a century earlier. The story of the bridge with the added tension of an overly optimistic deadline brings together a gripping tale of its construction and a disparate cast of engineers, labourers, temperance campaigners and an itinerant preacher.
As well as being an entertaining read, this is an interesting insight into New Zealand pioneering history and shows all the signs of being well researched.
The author is an absolute gem. It’s a pity that she has not yet found her place in international book markets. As for me, I’m off to find her other books.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pattrick, an experienced New Zealand historic novelist, brings the Volcanic Plateau to life in her latest book Leap of Faith.

Set in 1907, Pattrick takes the reader on a journey on what life may have been like for those drawn to the area by the railroad work, to construct the Makatote viaduct. This pioneering work made it possible to travel the whole length of the North Island, from Wellington to Auckland, by train.

Working on the railroad is somber and tough, with co-op gangs incentivised by targets to ensure the railroad is completed on time. It’s also a harsh and, at times, perilous environment. Despite these conditions, the railroad attracts a variety of characters.

Read my full review on the BookSellers NZ Blog
https://booksellersnz.wordpress.com/2...

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The history in this story was interesting, covering the building of the Makatote Viaduct on the Main Trunk Line in the North Island of New Zealand in 1907.

The invented story of a young man coming under the spell of a nefarious, charismatic preacher was pretty good but let down by quite an average standard of writing, and also an unnecessary hopping back and forth between the past (told in third-person) and the present (told in first person).

[Philippa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am always interested in reading NZ historical fiction. While this is a good insight into life in a pioneer railway settlement and the construction of the Matakohe viaduct, the characters and plot are stereotypical. I also found it a bit contrived to include characters from her book Deniston Rose.

[Nadine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well known for book called Denniston Rose which is on my list but not picked up yet. Saw this one in the library and thought I'd give it a go. This about building of the railway and viaducts near Oakune, now the same line as the Northern scenic, previously known as the Northerner, linking wellington and Auckland. Enjoyable novel with some factual elements.

[Carolyn Jury · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5. I really enjoyed the story. I was brought up around this area & lived in Taumarunui (on the main trunkline). I travelled to Wellington several times for courses via the rail. I found it easy to visualise the settings & weather. How they managed to live in tents in winter I don't know!

[Vicky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoy Jenny Pattrick's writing and the way she brings the scenery and characters to life. Life was grim in those days and hard work in inhospitable conditions but the characters rise above their lot to make something of every day.

[Sheila Pritchard · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy Patrick’s ability to combine researched history with a novel that has a gripping plot. This book makes me want to ride the main truck line from Auckland to Wellington with new eyes and new admiration.

[Shirley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book all my life I have driven past these viaducts and thought how wonderful they were and wondered how they were built this book certainly gives you some information how difficult they were to build and the conditions the workers and their families lived in.

[Edith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book about the history of the building of the Makatote viaduct. Love the way the story was told. Loved this book and will be reading more by Jenny.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, set in NZ. Great history of the building of viaducts through story and tying in Rose from the Denniston books. Recommend.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this well researched novel,especially it's ties to NZ railway history in a part of the country I am quite familiar with. ..

[Rachael Skudder · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these books. I love how they are written about our beautiful country New Zealand and I love the characters.

[Sandra Milliken · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and couldn't put it down. I only gave it 4 stars because I didn't like the ending.

[Cath · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable fictionalised take on a brief period in NZ's history

[Alison Hydes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting tale.

[Susan Wilson]

I’ve stopped after 100 pages as the story and the characters just could not engage me.

[Cat Randle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gripping and clear and easy to read history of the final years of the Makatoe Vidaduct and joining of the main trunk line.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just love reading New Zealand historical themes. This made me want to journey by train to see the viaduct and remember the foke that worked so much hardy than today's to create roads with their bare hands. Love Jenny Patrick's writing and will read more.

[Amelia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good book from Jenny Pattrick.
Again some difficult topics covered, so not a happy book, but smooth to read and easy to follow.

2022 re-read: So loving the evoking of the small towns that used to be bustling and have now vanished - like Karioi (near Ohakune).

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

NZ stories are always good to read and I found this interesting but very light. Looking forward to hearing Jenny speak