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Enemies within these Shores
"We, of the far north, are drowning in immigrants who refuse to learn the language or assimilate into our way of life. These peasants, these wretched curs, are blights on our society." William Delahunty MP Spring 1939. To appease his electorate, Delahunty orders a police roundup of Italian sugarcane workers. With his marriage failing, he initiates a volatile affair with Amy. What will be her revenge? Summer 1941 . Canefarmer Luigi is a naturalized British citizen, yet he is classified as an enemy alien during the war. Captured and interned for three years, what will he find on his return? Autumn 1943 . Edith is the wife of Tony Zucchero, an accountant and canefarmer. When he is unjustly interned, her father refuses to help. How will a city girl manage the farm alone? Winter 1945. At Loveday Internment Camp, shell-shocked WW1 veteran Ted prevents a breakout and an uprising, and oversees secret experiments for the army. After the war, what will he do with his life? Enemies within these Shores is a page-turning saga that sweeps from the sugar towns of tropical north Queensland to the Riverland district of South Australia. Based on a true story, the novel brings the WW2 home front to life.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
263 pages, Paperback
Published November 13, 2017
2 people are currently reading
14 people want to read
About the author
Debbie Terranova
6 books20 followersDebbie Terranova is an Australian author of WWII historical fiction, crime mysteries, and gripping short stories. She has published four novels and several prize-winning short stories. Her self-styled genre is ‘fiction with a conscience’: fiction based on true events and controversial issues.
In 2022, she was awarded a special commendation in the 29th Scarlet Stiletto Awards for her story, a short crime mystery set on the gem-fields of Central Queensland.
She has a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology), a Master of Public Administration, and is a former human resources professional and Fellow of the State Library of Queensland (SLQ).
In 2022, she was awarded a special commendation in the 29th Scarlet Stiletto Awards for her story, a short crime mystery set on the gem-fields of Central Queensland.
She has a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology), a Master of Public Administration, and is a former human resources professional and Fellow of the State Library of Queensland (SLQ).
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
February 18, 2018
4.5★s
Wooranoora in far north Queensland was filled with cane farms being successfully managed and run by Italian immigrants in the main, back in 1939. But when the war threatened Australia, the Italians were declared "enemy aliens" and arrested.
William Delahunty, a local politician, had an agenda - with the election coming up, he was determined to keep his seat; his election for another term was paramount. What would he do to ensure his electorate remained happy enough to vote him back in?
Shipped to various POW internment sites across Australia, Luigi Innocenti and his brother Angelo were two who were sent to the Loveday Internment camp near Barmera in South Australia - both sent separately, they were stunned to see one another again and at the same camp. But Luigi despaired at what would become of their cane farm in their absence.
Tony Zucchero was also sent to Lovedale Internment camp, and his young wife Edith and small daughter Bella were left to manage the cane farm on their own. What was Edith to do? She was determined to continue to pay the bank; to survive until Tony was returned to her. But could she?
Enemies within these Shores by Aussie author Debbie Terranova is based largely on fact; characters fictionalised, also the small township of Wooranoora doesn't exist but similar towns in far north Queensland do. Luigi is based on the author's father-in-law, and the author's notes on research etc. is fascinating and makes the story authentic. The emotion and trauma for the men who were called "enemy aliens" for no reason other than heritage was tragic. I thoroughly enjoyed my first by this author, and have no hesitation in recommending Enemies within these Shores highly to fans of Australian historical fiction, set during WW2.
With thanks to the author for my digital copy to read and review.
Wooranoora in far north Queensland was filled with cane farms being successfully managed and run by Italian immigrants in the main, back in 1939. But when the war threatened Australia, the Italians were declared "enemy aliens" and arrested.
William Delahunty, a local politician, had an agenda - with the election coming up, he was determined to keep his seat; his election for another term was paramount. What would he do to ensure his electorate remained happy enough to vote him back in?
Shipped to various POW internment sites across Australia, Luigi Innocenti and his brother Angelo were two who were sent to the Loveday Internment camp near Barmera in South Australia - both sent separately, they were stunned to see one another again and at the same camp. But Luigi despaired at what would become of their cane farm in their absence.
Tony Zucchero was also sent to Lovedale Internment camp, and his young wife Edith and small daughter Bella were left to manage the cane farm on their own. What was Edith to do? She was determined to continue to pay the bank; to survive until Tony was returned to her. But could she?
Enemies within these Shores by Aussie author Debbie Terranova is based largely on fact; characters fictionalised, also the small township of Wooranoora doesn't exist but similar towns in far north Queensland do. Luigi is based on the author's father-in-law, and the author's notes on research etc. is fascinating and makes the story authentic. The emotion and trauma for the men who were called "enemy aliens" for no reason other than heritage was tragic. I thoroughly enjoyed my first by this author, and have no hesitation in recommending Enemies within these Shores highly to fans of Australian historical fiction, set during WW2.
With thanks to the author for my digital copy to read and review.
January 15, 2018
*https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
Enemies within these Shores is a historical fiction novel, penned by Australian author Debbie Terranova. It is a touching story that brings to life a neglected chapter in our nation’s history books, the internment of Italian sugar cane workers from Queensland, in World War II. Inspired by true events, directly drawn from the first hand experiences of the author’s family, this is a novel that has much to say about policy, politics, freedom, discrimination and culture in Australia’s dark past.
Enemies within these Shores opens in the early echoes of World War II, in the state of Queensland. William James Delahunty is the representative for his electorate in Endeavour, located in far north Queensland. Delahunty makes a bold move and requests the police gather all Italian sugar cane workers. It is a controversial move that directly impacts many families and hard working citizens of the state. What follows is the continued round up of these ‘enemy aliens’, from the opening of the war in 1939, through to the end of the war in 1945. Enemies within these Shores explores the process of ripping these men away from their lives and families, to be transported to internment camps. It is also the story of those left behind on the home front, forced to step up in the fight for survival and in the hope that one day they will be reunited again with their loved ones.
It is so important to have books such as Enemies within these Shores published. Debbie Terranova has done a fine job with this novel, bringing to life a chapter in Australia’s past that has been overlooked. Centralising a fictional narrative around the events of the round up and internment of Italian workers in far north Queensland, gives a voice to those impacted by these events.
Terranova’s meaningful narrative is told through the eyes of a number of key characters. Through the experiences of these characters, we learn about their pasts, their current lives working in the cane fields of Queensland, the conditions of their internment and a little of life following their imprisonment. Each character has a moving story, which comes with a strong air of authenticity. I can easily see how the characters featured in Enemies within these Shores are modelled on real life figures.
Terranova strives to cover all bases in her involving novel. From the politician, Delahunty, who as a protagonist gives us an insight into the political side, the policies and pressures from the government to intern these men. Then there are the guards that worked at these camps, charged with controlling these men. We learn how these internment camps later housed not only Italian workers, but Nazi’s and eventually the Japanese. The final and most moving perspective for me personally in this book was the women left behind. Through the character story of Edith Zucchero, a very brave and admirable protagonist, we learn how women had to remain strong, holding together the farms and properties to ensure continued survival.
Enemies within these Shores is grounded in a solid level of research. This can be evidenced by the quality of the narrative itself, the author’s note, the references and acknowledgments section and finally, the detailed bibliography. In addition, the author explains in the opening of her novel that this is a book very much informed by the firsthand accounts of her husband’s Italian family, who were subjected to the internment camps. For me, the strength in this novel lies in Terranova’s internment camp scenes. There was so much realism to these scenes that I felt like I was there as a prisoner with these men.
Enemies within these Shores exposes tough times and a particular segment in our nation’s history that I was only a little aware of, through my experience of reading another novel set around Cowra, another internment camp. I could quite shake the events and experiences of this novel. After I finished Enemies within these Shores, I felt compelled to complete a little bit of extra research on Loveday, the internment camp that features in this book. It is well worth following my lead if you want further information on what is a shameful chapter in Australia’s past. I am still astounded by this World War II political move, particularly as many of these men were long standing citizens, having lived and worked on Australia’s shores for generations. I highly recommend this insightful novel to all Australian readers, it is a good way to familiarise yourself with events from our not too distant past.
*I wish to thank the author, Debbie Terranova for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes.
Enemies within these Shores is book #4 of the Australian Women Writers Challenge
Enemies within these Shores is a historical fiction novel, penned by Australian author Debbie Terranova. It is a touching story that brings to life a neglected chapter in our nation’s history books, the internment of Italian sugar cane workers from Queensland, in World War II. Inspired by true events, directly drawn from the first hand experiences of the author’s family, this is a novel that has much to say about policy, politics, freedom, discrimination and culture in Australia’s dark past.
Enemies within these Shores opens in the early echoes of World War II, in the state of Queensland. William James Delahunty is the representative for his electorate in Endeavour, located in far north Queensland. Delahunty makes a bold move and requests the police gather all Italian sugar cane workers. It is a controversial move that directly impacts many families and hard working citizens of the state. What follows is the continued round up of these ‘enemy aliens’, from the opening of the war in 1939, through to the end of the war in 1945. Enemies within these Shores explores the process of ripping these men away from their lives and families, to be transported to internment camps. It is also the story of those left behind on the home front, forced to step up in the fight for survival and in the hope that one day they will be reunited again with their loved ones.
It is so important to have books such as Enemies within these Shores published. Debbie Terranova has done a fine job with this novel, bringing to life a chapter in Australia’s past that has been overlooked. Centralising a fictional narrative around the events of the round up and internment of Italian workers in far north Queensland, gives a voice to those impacted by these events.
Terranova’s meaningful narrative is told through the eyes of a number of key characters. Through the experiences of these characters, we learn about their pasts, their current lives working in the cane fields of Queensland, the conditions of their internment and a little of life following their imprisonment. Each character has a moving story, which comes with a strong air of authenticity. I can easily see how the characters featured in Enemies within these Shores are modelled on real life figures.
Terranova strives to cover all bases in her involving novel. From the politician, Delahunty, who as a protagonist gives us an insight into the political side, the policies and pressures from the government to intern these men. Then there are the guards that worked at these camps, charged with controlling these men. We learn how these internment camps later housed not only Italian workers, but Nazi’s and eventually the Japanese. The final and most moving perspective for me personally in this book was the women left behind. Through the character story of Edith Zucchero, a very brave and admirable protagonist, we learn how women had to remain strong, holding together the farms and properties to ensure continued survival.
Enemies within these Shores is grounded in a solid level of research. This can be evidenced by the quality of the narrative itself, the author’s note, the references and acknowledgments section and finally, the detailed bibliography. In addition, the author explains in the opening of her novel that this is a book very much informed by the firsthand accounts of her husband’s Italian family, who were subjected to the internment camps. For me, the strength in this novel lies in Terranova’s internment camp scenes. There was so much realism to these scenes that I felt like I was there as a prisoner with these men.
Enemies within these Shores exposes tough times and a particular segment in our nation’s history that I was only a little aware of, through my experience of reading another novel set around Cowra, another internment camp. I could quite shake the events and experiences of this novel. After I finished Enemies within these Shores, I felt compelled to complete a little bit of extra research on Loveday, the internment camp that features in this book. It is well worth following my lead if you want further information on what is a shameful chapter in Australia’s past. I am still astounded by this World War II political move, particularly as many of these men were long standing citizens, having lived and worked on Australia’s shores for generations. I highly recommend this insightful novel to all Australian readers, it is a good way to familiarise yourself with events from our not too distant past.
*I wish to thank the author, Debbie Terranova for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes.
Enemies within these Shores is book #4 of the Australian Women Writers Challenge
February 25, 2018
What a fascinating story about a a little known facet of Australian history. In this book, Terranova explores what life was like for Italian immigrants in Queensland during WW2. Based on family stories and thorough research, she explores their dilemma through a clever combination of fact and fiction. This book is beautifully written and brings the characters and locations to life in an engaging way. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
January 16, 2018
This book presents a fascinating but little known aspect of Australian history -the Italian immigrants who were interred during World War II. Set in the cane fields of northern Queensland, the suburbs of Brisbane and the different internment camps in which these “enemy aliens” (as they were known) were imprisoned, the story is both engaging and informative.
January 14, 2018
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Enemies within these Shores. The book held my attention all the way through, I engaged with the characters (real and fictional), and I learned new things about Australia's history. It fulfills all my expectations of historical fiction. Thank you!
January 19, 2023
Ten years in the making and based on extensive research, this novel brings the WW2 home front in Australia to life. Told through the eyes of four compelling characters, the narrative is about the internment of 'enemy aliens' along with the plight of the women they left behind.
The saga sweeps from the lush canefields of tropical north Queensland, to the 'big country town' of Brisbane, to the Loveday Internment Camps in rural South Australia.
Recommended holiday read!
The saga sweeps from the lush canefields of tropical north Queensland, to the 'big country town' of Brisbane, to the Loveday Internment Camps in rural South Australia.
Recommended holiday read!
April 28, 2018
I thoroughly enjoyed this well-researched novel about a little-known part of WWII history. Terranova's writing style is easy to read, yet full of evocative passages. Her characters are strong, well-rounded and highly believable. Overall, a great read that is hard to put down.
November 29, 2020
4.5 stars - it was a bit slow at the start but when it got going it was an interesting read
March 2, 2025
Highly recommended, well written and engrossing story. I have followed this true saga of Italian cane cutters from far north Queensland sent to internment camp during W2 through many drafts and it's a joy to read it in print. I first met Debbie Terranova when she and I were the only non-fiction writers in a Queensland Writers Centre course called Year of the Edit and we became writing buddies, supporting each other through the ups and downs to publication. She wisely moved this real story to fiction whereas I persevered as nonfiction with a garnish of magical realism, to publish a trilogy "Midnight Sun to Southern Cross." Over the decades, Debbie Terranova has honed her writing skills and subsequent books are polished page turners.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews