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Feuerpfad
Rote Erde, weiter Himmel die große Australiensaga. Als junge Ehefrau kommt Henrietta nach Australien. Die wilde Schönheit des Landes schlägt sie in den Bann. Aber mit dem autoritären Terence ist sie unglücklich. Als sie Paul begegnet, dem sensiblen Außenseiter, lernt sie endlich die Liebe kennen. Um jeden Preis muss Henrietta ihr Geheimnis bewahren
560 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
110 people are currently reading
814 people want to read
About the author
Judy Nunn
48 books345 followersJudy Nunn (born 13 April 1945) is an Australian actress and author.
Judy Nunn's career has been long, illustrious and multifaceted. After combining her internationally successful acting career with scriptwriting for television and radio, Judy decided in the 80s to turn her hand to prose. The result was two adventure novels for children, EYE IN THE STORM and EYE IN THE CITY, which remain extremely popular, not only in Australia but in Europe. Embarking on adult fiction in the early 90s, Judy's three novels, THE GLITTER GAME, CENTRE STAGE and ARALUEN, set respectively in the worlds of television, theatre and film, became instant bestsellers. Her subsequent bestsellers, KAL, BENEATH THE SOUTHERN CROSS, TERRITORY, PACIFIC, HERITAGE and FLOODTIDE confirm her position as one of Australia’s leading popular novelists.
Judy Nunn's career has been long, illustrious and multifaceted. After combining her internationally successful acting career with scriptwriting for television and radio, Judy decided in the 80s to turn her hand to prose. The result was two adventure novels for children, EYE IN THE STORM and EYE IN THE CITY, which remain extremely popular, not only in Australia but in Europe. Embarking on adult fiction in the early 90s, Judy's three novels, THE GLITTER GAME, CENTRE STAGE and ARALUEN, set respectively in the worlds of television, theatre and film, became instant bestsellers. Her subsequent bestsellers, KAL, BENEATH THE SOUTHERN CROSS, TERRITORY, PACIFIC, HERITAGE and FLOODTIDE confirm her position as one of Australia’s leading popular novelists.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
August 19, 2021
This is the first book I have read by Judy Nunn and I will be sure to read more.
The story is quite a saga spanning several centuries in parallel stories. There is Lucretia who is about to set sail from Holland to join her husband in the East Indies in the 16th century. She commissions a locket as a token of her love for husband and this winds up several centuries later surfacing in Darwin.
In the other story that commences in Darwin during WWII and the bombing by Japanese forces. Young Terrence Galloway, who is from a long line of station owners in the Northern Territory is a fighter pilot based in England and keen to get back home and defend his home state. He meets an English girl and brings her home as his wife. Henrietta has a lot of adjusting to do so settle into life in the outback. She hopes to find allegiance with Terrence's mother and sister but soon finds herself befriending the aboriginal staff who work on the station, something that is quite frowned upon.
There is a lot of Northern Territory history covered in the book and it was certainly intriguing from that perspective.
The story follows the ups and downs of the family and their friends right through to the '70's and the devastation of Cyclone Tracy.
This is a long story and be warned there are a couple scenes of rape and torture in this book that may be disturbing for some readers.
The story is quite a saga spanning several centuries in parallel stories. There is Lucretia who is about to set sail from Holland to join her husband in the East Indies in the 16th century. She commissions a locket as a token of her love for husband and this winds up several centuries later surfacing in Darwin.
In the other story that commences in Darwin during WWII and the bombing by Japanese forces. Young Terrence Galloway, who is from a long line of station owners in the Northern Territory is a fighter pilot based in England and keen to get back home and defend his home state. He meets an English girl and brings her home as his wife. Henrietta has a lot of adjusting to do so settle into life in the outback. She hopes to find allegiance with Terrence's mother and sister but soon finds herself befriending the aboriginal staff who work on the station, something that is quite frowned upon.
There is a lot of Northern Territory history covered in the book and it was certainly intriguing from that perspective.
The story follows the ups and downs of the family and their friends right through to the '70's and the devastation of Cyclone Tracy.
This is a long story and be warned there are a couple scenes of rape and torture in this book that may be disturbing for some readers.
June 2, 2016
Another sweeping Saga set in, and around, my stomping ground.
Knowing the setting well, I can assure you author Judy Nunn has done her research well. Connecting the Batavia shipwreck to the Top End dwelling characters was done very well - and having just been to Amsterdam, and loving history meant there was another draw for me.
But...
Just didn't draw me in as much as an earlier novel of hers did. I found my eyes glazing over sometimes despite her terrific descriptions. I also skimmed over some sections. Can't put my finger on why exactly because it was an interesting story right from the start of the bombing of Darwin up to the partial destruction of Darwin by Cyclone Tracy.
Knowing the setting well, I can assure you author Judy Nunn has done her research well. Connecting the Batavia shipwreck to the Top End dwelling characters was done very well - and having just been to Amsterdam, and loving history meant there was another draw for me.
But...
Just didn't draw me in as much as an earlier novel of hers did. I found my eyes glazing over sometimes despite her terrific descriptions. I also skimmed over some sections. Can't put my finger on why exactly because it was an interesting story right from the start of the bombing of Darwin up to the partial destruction of Darwin by Cyclone Tracy.
August 31, 2024
5 big beautiful stars.
A page-turner.
Listened to the audiobook via BorrowBox
Published by Bolinda audio
Read by John Gregg
Duration: 20 hrs, 57 min. 1.50x Speed
A page-turner.
Listened to the audiobook via BorrowBox
Published by Bolinda audio
Read by John Gregg
Duration: 20 hrs, 57 min. 1.50x Speed
February 10, 2021
This is cracking yarn, full of the history of our beautiful country particularly Darwin and the majestic Northern Territory. I love the way Judy Nunn creates characters who are worthy of love and worthy of hate yet appear to the world with an outer shell. I recommend anyone wanting to be appalled and amazed at the devastation, both of, the Japanese attack on Darwin, and the complete annihilation of the city because of cyclone Tracy. The first is the commencement of the book and the last near the closure.
I loved Henrietta from the start. Her lack of confidence and joy at meeting an Australian Fighter pilot and being swept off her feet. Her sorrow at having lost her parents and now living with her aunt in Wartime England, fading as she allowed Terrance Galloway to describe this far-off strange land, the Northern Territory. She never questioned why he chose her out of a stage full of modern beautiful girls, or why he pursued her. Then with her Aunts blessing, she married him and travelled to start a new life.
Terrance was not what he seemed. His father had given him a strict and demanding upbringing. Something he was to follow suit doing with his two boys. Henrietta had learned from the conception of the first son, that her husband had a madness in him and one she tried to avoid. It was a difficult life for her, and she put all her energy into creating a happy world for her children.
There are a lot of backstories in this book that fill the reader with joy. The Chinese man Foo Lee and his close friend the Englishman and journalist Paul who became Henrietta's, true love. All this was backed up by the story of the locket created in the 1700s for a woman in Holland who was travelling to be with her husband in the East Indies on the ill-fated Batavia. This gruesome tale leads the reader to the origins of this singularly distinctive locket that became a talisman for love and helped link the ages.
I recommend this as a lesson learned about Australians courage in the face of disaster. It is, as I said before, a cracking yarn.
I loved Henrietta from the start. Her lack of confidence and joy at meeting an Australian Fighter pilot and being swept off her feet. Her sorrow at having lost her parents and now living with her aunt in Wartime England, fading as she allowed Terrance Galloway to describe this far-off strange land, the Northern Territory. She never questioned why he chose her out of a stage full of modern beautiful girls, or why he pursued her. Then with her Aunts blessing, she married him and travelled to start a new life.
Terrance was not what he seemed. His father had given him a strict and demanding upbringing. Something he was to follow suit doing with his two boys. Henrietta had learned from the conception of the first son, that her husband had a madness in him and one she tried to avoid. It was a difficult life for her, and she put all her energy into creating a happy world for her children.
There are a lot of backstories in this book that fill the reader with joy. The Chinese man Foo Lee and his close friend the Englishman and journalist Paul who became Henrietta's, true love. All this was backed up by the story of the locket created in the 1700s for a woman in Holland who was travelling to be with her husband in the East Indies on the ill-fated Batavia. This gruesome tale leads the reader to the origins of this singularly distinctive locket that became a talisman for love and helped link the ages.
I recommend this as a lesson learned about Australians courage in the face of disaster. It is, as I said before, a cracking yarn.
March 31, 2023
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ .5
Actual rating 4.5 stars.
It is obvious that Nunn has done her research for this book. And I enjoyed the journey of the locket through out history.
This book also had shock value which always makes for a better read.
The characters were well thought out and realistic.
I would have given it 5 stars if not for the slow start that picked up about 30% in.
Actual rating 4.5 stars.
It is obvious that Nunn has done her research for this book. And I enjoyed the journey of the locket through out history.
This book also had shock value which always makes for a better read.
The characters were well thought out and realistic.
I would have given it 5 stars if not for the slow start that picked up about 30% in.
December 28, 2021
The Territory is a historical family saga of the Galloway Clan set in North Territory from the bombing of Darwin until the devastating cyclone Tracey. A wealthy woman commissioned a gift for her boyfriend, working in East Indies and ended up on a young man for protection, and the gift saved his life and started a legend. The Territory readers continue to follow the Galloway Clan to discover what happens.
The Territory is another fantastic book by Judy Nunn. The Territory bought out memories of my childhood living in Darwin, and I also learnt about the history of Darwin. I like Judy Nunn's portrayal of her characters and how they intertwine throughout this book. The Territory is well written and researched by Judy Nunn. I like Judy Nunn's description of The Territory's settings that allowed me to imagine being part of the book's plot.
The readers of The Territory will learn about the history of Darwin. Also, understand the courage and hardship of the residents.
I recommend this book.
The Territory is another fantastic book by Judy Nunn. The Territory bought out memories of my childhood living in Darwin, and I also learnt about the history of Darwin. I like Judy Nunn's portrayal of her characters and how they intertwine throughout this book. The Territory is well written and researched by Judy Nunn. I like Judy Nunn's description of The Territory's settings that allowed me to imagine being part of the book's plot.
The readers of The Territory will learn about the history of Darwin. Also, understand the courage and hardship of the residents.
I recommend this book.
September 13, 2019
A very good read. Thanks Judy Nunn for the history lesson on my hometown; Early settlers, the rich Chinese influence, bombing of Darwin, Tracy, the community of the Topend. Excellent research!
The weaving of the Batavia shipwreck throughout the saga made me read up a bit of history on the way.
Reckon you got a new fan!
The weaving of the Batavia shipwreck throughout the saga made me read up a bit of history on the way.
Reckon you got a new fan!
January 11, 2016
I really enjoyed this book. I especially enjoyed the bits and pieces of Australian history, Cyclone Tracey, the slavery of the Aboriginal people, the stolen generation, multicultural Darwin and the outback cattle station.
November 14, 2024
I definitely want to read more Judy Nunn books, absolutely loved this book.
July 28, 2021
The first Judy Nunn book l have read. I have heard only good things about her books and had been looking forward in experiencing her authorship. I was not disappointed. I now have the pleasure to reading Judy's other books. Her style and story telling reminds me of Brice Courtney's style.
May 12, 2012
I read an interview with Judy Nunn in Good Reading Magazine. She had interesting things to say, so I decided to read one of her books. "Territory" turned up on the book swap shelf at work, so I grabbed it.
I really enjoyed the story. The synopsis above doesn't do it justice, but is adequate enough. I enjoyed how the story of the Batavia and of the Galloway family were told in parallel and came together in the end.
I visited the maritime museum in Perth, WA two years ago and saw the re-created remains of the Batavia. It is an incredible story. Judy Nunn could have used another "vehicle" for the locket and its story, but I think the way she uses the Batavia and weaves it in to the tale of Darwin from the bombing in 1942 to Cyclone Tracy is brilliantly done.
How timely to read this story in 2012. We have just observed the 60th anniversary of the bombing of Darwin. The Australian government covered up the bombing and destruction so comprehensively that many Australians are still astounded to learn of what happened on our own shores. If nothing else, Territory brings these events to life.
It is true, however, that this is a work of fiction. It is a family saga that spans three generations. There's sex, violence and the account of events surrounding the Batavia is not for the faint hearted.
I found some elements predictable, but there are also twists that I didn't foresee. Gasp out-loud twists!
It was a good read.
I really enjoyed the story. The synopsis above doesn't do it justice, but is adequate enough. I enjoyed how the story of the Batavia and of the Galloway family were told in parallel and came together in the end.
I visited the maritime museum in Perth, WA two years ago and saw the re-created remains of the Batavia. It is an incredible story. Judy Nunn could have used another "vehicle" for the locket and its story, but I think the way she uses the Batavia and weaves it in to the tale of Darwin from the bombing in 1942 to Cyclone Tracy is brilliantly done.
How timely to read this story in 2012. We have just observed the 60th anniversary of the bombing of Darwin. The Australian government covered up the bombing and destruction so comprehensively that many Australians are still astounded to learn of what happened on our own shores. If nothing else, Territory brings these events to life.
It is true, however, that this is a work of fiction. It is a family saga that spans three generations. There's sex, violence and the account of events surrounding the Batavia is not for the faint hearted.
I found some elements predictable, but there are also twists that I didn't foresee. Gasp out-loud twists!
It was a good read.
April 5, 2014
Nunn tells an engaging story through historical and current eyes. She paints a picture of life on a cattle station and in Darwin through the eyes of the key character, Henrietta. Faced with domestic abuse, she endures it all for the sake of her children. Nunn manages to engender sympathy for all her characters, even the most hated ones.
October 10, 2015
Thoroughly enjoyed it. As I live in the Territory I recognised many of the family names in the book and enjoyed reading about what Darwin was like during the war years through to the devastation of Cyclone Tracy. A ripping yarn!
December 18, 2019
This was a vast, sweeping magnum opus. At over 20 hours in length (I only ever listen to audiobooks) it's not for the faint hearted, but it was ultimately a rewarding experience.
I struggled to form any attachment to the seemingly banal characters at the beginning of this sweeping tale but I found my rythym around the half way mark. Judy Nunn has used considerable talent to meticulously research the various locations and times to create a realistic account of three generations of the Galloway family living their lives on a cattle station in Darwin, and then juxtoposed this with what begins as the completely unrelated and tragic voyage of the Batavia, a Dutch ship that wrecked off the West Australian coast in the 16th century.
Serious topics are referenced throughout including domestic violence, rape, racism, the stolen generations of Aboriginal people, Chinese immigration in the early to mid 20th century, drug use and the Vietnam war but this is by no means a "pulp" novel. These topics are given serious treatment and portray the compexities of the human experience.
By the end of the book I could clearly picture all of the major characters. The author gave them such rich descriptions and I appreciated their individual voices.
Certain elements of this book felt a little pedestrian and "neat", and I found myself longing for some grittier and messier content. Some of the plot played out like a dramatic soap opera (an irony that is not lost on the author, I'm sure) but overall it was enjoyable and I was shocked at the ultimate twist that I did NOT see coming.
Would I recommend investing over 20 hours into this story? Probably not, unless you have an unsatiable urge to learn about the Darwin bombings or a penchant for historical Australian drama.
I struggled to form any attachment to the seemingly banal characters at the beginning of this sweeping tale but I found my rythym around the half way mark. Judy Nunn has used considerable talent to meticulously research the various locations and times to create a realistic account of three generations of the Galloway family living their lives on a cattle station in Darwin, and then juxtoposed this with what begins as the completely unrelated and tragic voyage of the Batavia, a Dutch ship that wrecked off the West Australian coast in the 16th century.
Serious topics are referenced throughout including domestic violence, rape, racism, the stolen generations of Aboriginal people, Chinese immigration in the early to mid 20th century, drug use and the Vietnam war but this is by no means a "pulp" novel. These topics are given serious treatment and portray the compexities of the human experience.
By the end of the book I could clearly picture all of the major characters. The author gave them such rich descriptions and I appreciated their individual voices.
Certain elements of this book felt a little pedestrian and "neat", and I found myself longing for some grittier and messier content. Some of the plot played out like a dramatic soap opera (an irony that is not lost on the author, I'm sure) but overall it was enjoyable and I was shocked at the ultimate twist that I did NOT see coming.
Would I recommend investing over 20 hours into this story? Probably not, unless you have an unsatiable urge to learn about the Darwin bombings or a penchant for historical Australian drama.
December 7, 2021
The story travels back and forth in time from that event to Darwin, including historically accurate details of major events in the town's history - the bombing of Darwin in 1942 and Cyclone Tracy in 1974. The role of Aboriginals and Chinese at the time is important to the plot.
The modern part of the story focuses on the Galloway family who run a large. Terrance Galloway, a WW2 fighter pilot, brings his new English wife, Henrietta home to their remote cattle station Bullalalla near Darwin. They have two sons. She is flung into her role as wife and mother. Her story becomes complicated by her husband’s mental instability. This is a great story, full of suspense and romance, with a wonderful ending.
The modern part of the story focuses on the Galloway family who run a large. Terrance Galloway, a WW2 fighter pilot, brings his new English wife, Henrietta home to their remote cattle station Bullalalla near Darwin. They have two sons. She is flung into her role as wife and mother. Her story becomes complicated by her husband’s mental instability. This is a great story, full of suspense and romance, with a wonderful ending.
April 22, 2024
Fantastic soap opera from a former soap actor, complete with such winning genre tropes as the secret bastard child and a return from certain death. Spanning the history of Darwin between its bombing during WW2 and its flattening by Tracy, it's well enough researched with some literary licence taken: for instance, it wasn't until 1984 that an Indigenous person first graduated with honours in anthropology from an Australian university, and she (Marcia Langton) did not enrol in her degree until 1977. There's a bit too much telling and not enough showing, but had this been published two decades earlier, Kennedy and Miller might have made it into a ten-part miniseries on prime time.
November 1, 2020
Another wonderful read by Judy Nunn. This time she delves into the half forgotten past of the invasion of Australia by Japan in 1942. The central character Henrietta Southern is an English war bride harvested by a bombastic complicated Australian pilot. She is flung into her role as wife and mother on a remote cattle station Bullalalla near Darwin. Her story becomes complicated by her husband’s mental instability. This is a great story, full of suspense and romance, with a wonderful ending.
Carinya
Carinya
May 27, 2020
Loved it! History, romance, heartache, intrigue, murder... i mean is there anything this book doesn't have? What a beautiful form of story telling Judy Nunn has. I love the way she intertwines an enormous understanding of history with such intriguing fiction. I thought telling two stories at the same time from different timelines would annoy me but it turned out to be one of the things I loved most about this book.
April 26, 2021
At first I found the switching between some of the main characters and timelines confusing but after a while it became much clearer.
Some aspects of the story were hard to read given their narrative/depth of storyline.
However I also cheered for several of the characters, cried over some pages and felt murderous towards a couple of others.
Wonderful descriptions of The Northern Territory and Darwin.
Some aspects of the story were hard to read given their narrative/depth of storyline.
However I also cheered for several of the characters, cried over some pages and felt murderous towards a couple of others.
Wonderful descriptions of The Northern Territory and Darwin.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 22, 2023
A book recommended my book club. I was so interested in it at the first few chapters. I thought it will provide more insights about normal Australian during WWII. I want to know their stories and their struggles.
But no, this book is not deep. And stories or drama which I should call can literally be staged at any time of history. The war merely serves as a background and that’s it.
This book tries to put too many elements in — WWII, aboriginal people, misogyny, 17th shipwreck, Vietnam war and so on. In the end, it becomes a mess and irritating long story.
But no, this book is not deep. And stories or drama which I should call can literally be staged at any time of history. The war merely serves as a background and that’s it.
This book tries to put too many elements in — WWII, aboriginal people, misogyny, 17th shipwreck, Vietnam war and so on. In the end, it becomes a mess and irritating long story.
May 30, 2025
It has been quite a few years since I have read a Judy Nunn book and I thoroughly enjoyed this story wound around facts and true history. I was engrossed and finished this book very quickly for a normally slow reader. She is a great story teller. Now I want to go back and re-read Maralinga because I remember it having quite an effect on me, to actually hear the truth of the tragedies that happened there. I highly recommend Territory
November 30, 2019
Wow! It took me a while to get a copy of this book - unfortunately I’d judged the book not by its cover but by the show the author had been in, just as ridiculous right!? Anyway I loved it! (The book). A few of the plot twists were kind of predictable/inevitable but I would get so absorbed reading this that I was weightless.
June 23, 2020
Couldn't put this one down! Absolutely loved the way the two women's lives mirrored each other's, and were connected by the locket. I'm fascinated by Australian history and, this book gave a fascinating perspective on the tragic occurrences, in both the Abrolhos Islands and Darwin. A very good read.
February 17, 2022
An entertaining multigenerational family story set in Northern Australia. Adventure, war, love and betrayal, all set in the harsh land of the Top End. It's also the history of the Dutch ship Batavia-1629. Although not as famous as the British ship Bounty, it has just as much drama: Mutiny, shipwreck, murder, and terror. A good read by a talented storyteller.
December 27, 2022
This is my second Judy Nunn novel and I’m already a convert. It’s amazing how deftly she weaves historical facts into her stories and how plausible it all becomes. This book has a parallel theme which works extraordinarily well as there is a common end goal to both stories - a beautiful symbol of love. The one story is about the sinking of The Batavia off the west coast of Australia and it’s consequences, and the parallel story is about a wealthy established family living on a cattle ranch in the Northern Territory. It’s an intriguing book, I thoroughly enjoyed it and found it a compelling read.
January 30, 2023
A family saga, starting in wartime UK and progressing to an outback station near Darwin and then moving on to Darwin ….and ending in the Netherland.
The book is almost two books in one as it also tells the story of a pendant’s origin and it’s journey how it came to be in Australia. The two stories eventually merge. I really enjoyed the story and the setting as I do like outback NT.
The book is almost two books in one as it also tells the story of a pendant’s origin and it’s journey how it came to be in Australia. The two stories eventually merge. I really enjoyed the story and the setting as I do like outback NT.
August 24, 2024
Brilliant- involving two complex stories that slowly converge, combining real historic events. Nunn’s descriptions of the events - real and imagined - domestic violence, the bombing of Darwin, Cyclone Tracy, all interwoven into her story were gripping. Loved it - altho I nearly gave up after one event, I was so involved with the characters - so glad I kept on reading. Very satisfying read.
February 21, 2018
Not a deep book but nonetheless a good read. I enjoyed the book but didn’t find myself literacy satisfied. Nothing wrong but nothing overly right. If you want a reasonable comfortable read just for relaxation you may enjoy
September 16, 2019
As I started reading this book; I was beginning to realise, I had read it. But as the story went on, I couldn’t put the book down.
I enjoyed it as much, as I had when I initially read it.
I LOVED IT. It’s WONDERFUL
I enjoyed it as much, as I had when I initially read it.
I LOVED IT. It’s WONDERFUL
September 19, 2021
Once again Judy Nunn has held me captivated with her books.
Territory is sweeping tale from 1628 to 1975. The story of the locket may be a work of fiction but the historical information regarding The Batavia, the bombing of Darwn and Cyclone Tracy were most interesting.
A very ejoyable read.
Territory is sweeping tale from 1628 to 1975. The story of the locket may be a work of fiction but the historical information regarding The Batavia, the bombing of Darwn and Cyclone Tracy were most interesting.
A very ejoyable read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews