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Macquarie #4
The Wayward Son
Set in the mid 19th century, on the beautiful Island of Mull, the largest of Scotland’s Western Isles, on the estate of Jarvisfield owned by Lachlan Macquarie Jnr – a young man deeply unhappy with his lot in life. In love with Beth Jarvis – the young girl of mixed blood whom he had believed would be not be accepted in Scotland’s high society, leading him to marry someone else, now much to his regret.
Beth – the daughter of George Jarvis, who has thoughts of no other man but John Dewar, the young naval officer who loved her and left her.
John Dewar – a young lieutenant serving in the Royal Navy’s “West Africa Squadron” patrolling the coast of Sierra Leone to prevent privateers transporting captured African slaves in the hold of their ships.
A beautifully told dramatic and moving story of a young couple in love, and a young couple in hate, and the people around them who observe it all.
Based on the true story of the Macquarie, Jarvis and Dewar families, THE WAYWARD SON is a complete stand-alone novel in its own right, and is also the fourth and concluding book in the ‘Macquarie Series.
Beth – the daughter of George Jarvis, who has thoughts of no other man but John Dewar, the young naval officer who loved her and left her.
John Dewar – a young lieutenant serving in the Royal Navy’s “West Africa Squadron” patrolling the coast of Sierra Leone to prevent privateers transporting captured African slaves in the hold of their ships.
A beautifully told dramatic and moving story of a young couple in love, and a young couple in hate, and the people around them who observe it all.
Based on the true story of the Macquarie, Jarvis and Dewar families, THE WAYWARD SON is a complete stand-alone novel in its own right, and is also the fourth and concluding book in the ‘Macquarie Series.
327 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2013
80 people are currently reading
62 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
June 3, 2018
Outstanding!
This is an outstanding finale to an outstanding series regarding the life and descendants of Lachlan MacQuarie "Father of Australia."
The writing humanizes the historical characters in such a way as to be a pleasure to read otherwise staid historical facts. I have been totally engrossed in this story which encompassing the lives of the MacQuarie and Jarvis families in Scotland.
This final book of the series continues with the lives of Lachlan MacQuarie Jr and Beth Jarvis in Victorian Era Scotland. Physical description a of areas of Scotland are beautifully painted by this gifted author. All characters are equally well described and developed.
One of the perks within are the little-known historical trivia....highly interesting. Surprising factual history at times.
The sorry life of the son of such a renowned and celebrated man as Viceroy General MacQuarie is astonishing given his cossetted life and such esteemed parents. Alternatively, having come from the lowest of social origins and unheard of mixed race parentage, Beth Jarvis' story is worth the telling.
A great historical fiction read!!
This is an outstanding finale to an outstanding series regarding the life and descendants of Lachlan MacQuarie "Father of Australia."
The writing humanizes the historical characters in such a way as to be a pleasure to read otherwise staid historical facts. I have been totally engrossed in this story which encompassing the lives of the MacQuarie and Jarvis families in Scotland.
This final book of the series continues with the lives of Lachlan MacQuarie Jr and Beth Jarvis in Victorian Era Scotland. Physical description a of areas of Scotland are beautifully painted by this gifted author. All characters are equally well described and developed.
One of the perks within are the little-known historical trivia....highly interesting. Surprising factual history at times.
The sorry life of the son of such a renowned and celebrated man as Viceroy General MacQuarie is astonishing given his cossetted life and such esteemed parents. Alternatively, having come from the lowest of social origins and unheard of mixed race parentage, Beth Jarvis' story is worth the telling.
A great historical fiction read!!
October 6, 2013
JUST PUBLISHED -
Set in the mid 19th century, on the beautiful Island of Mull, on the estate of ‘Jarvisfield’ owned by Lachlan Macquarie Jnr – a young man deeply unhappy with his lot in life.
In love with Beth Jarvis – the young girl of mixed blood whom he believed would be not be accepted in Scotland’s high society, leading him to marry someone else, now much to his regret.
Beth – the daughter of George Jarvis, who has thoughts of no other man but John Dewar, the young naval officer who loved her and left her.
A beautifully told dramatic and moving story of a young couple in love, and a young couple in hate, and the people around them who observe it all.
Based on the true story of the Macquarie, Jarvis and Dewar families.
Set in the mid 19th century, on the beautiful Island of Mull, on the estate of ‘Jarvisfield’ owned by Lachlan Macquarie Jnr – a young man deeply unhappy with his lot in life.
In love with Beth Jarvis – the young girl of mixed blood whom he believed would be not be accepted in Scotland’s high society, leading him to marry someone else, now much to his regret.
Beth – the daughter of George Jarvis, who has thoughts of no other man but John Dewar, the young naval officer who loved her and left her.
A beautifully told dramatic and moving story of a young couple in love, and a young couple in hate, and the people around them who observe it all.
Based on the true story of the Macquarie, Jarvis and Dewar families.
May 30, 2018
The Macquarie books are terrific. Starting with Book 1: By Eastern Windows and continuing through 2: The Far Horizon 3: Jarvisfield 4: The Wayward Son, I followed the lives of the Macquarie family from Scotland to Australia and back. This is historical fiction. Macquarie existed in the founding of Australia from a penal colony to a nation.
Did I like the series? The first book was free and then I purchased the other three, so I guess you say I liked it.
Did I like the series? The first book was free and then I purchased the other three, so I guess you say I liked it.
June 7, 2018
The Fourth Book in the series
I read the 4 Macquarie books one right after the other! You become engrossed in the characters lives and care what happens to them. The plot carries over from one book to the next. Highly recommend!
I read the 4 Macquarie books one right after the other! You become engrossed in the characters lives and care what happens to them. The plot carries over from one book to the next. Highly recommend!
August 6, 2017
Love history
So very interesting...could hardly put it down...so glad that it had a good ending....full circle. Characters so very well thought of
So very interesting...could hardly put it down...so glad that it had a good ending....full circle. Characters so very well thought of
May 16, 2022
Gretta Curran Browne writes historical fiction with superb skill and understanding of what touches our hearts. She endeavors to stay true to the historical record of her story while instilling in the characters those strengths that make them honored, and those weaknesses that result in untimely, unnecessary death. She has the ability to keep you interested in what is happening & turning pages to find out what is going to happen to the most interesting of her characters. If you understand she is writing about actual people, places and historical events, Browne allows you to picture and be a part of that history. She never fails to have me wanting more every time I come to an end of one of her novels. This was the end of a great series of four of those novels. You can look up the leading characters with Google and Whikipedia to further your knowledge of their historical records. It is fascinating reading.
December 3, 2019
Great Finish
This was a great finish to a family saga that captured my interest and held it through all four books. Based on real people and their lives, it had its tragic incidents, including, in this story, a son gone astray who fell in with a friend who ended up leading him to his downfall in spite of the positive influences in his life. All was not lost, as the legacy of Lachlan Macquarie's ward he loved as a son lived on even as circumstances conspired to bury the family and memory of the man who gave the country of Australia its name and propelled it into its future.
This was a great finish to a family saga that captured my interest and held it through all four books. Based on real people and their lives, it had its tragic incidents, including, in this story, a son gone astray who fell in with a friend who ended up leading him to his downfall in spite of the positive influences in his life. All was not lost, as the legacy of Lachlan Macquarie's ward he loved as a son lived on even as circumstances conspired to bury the family and memory of the man who gave the country of Australia its name and propelled it into its future.
April 21, 2020
Stiisfied.
As a self exiled Scot, it was interesting to read about a history I knew nothing about. Well written so that it was a rush to pick up the subsequent books. Thank you, I will be reading the other books in your collections.
As a self exiled Scot, it was interesting to read about a history I knew nothing about. Well written so that it was a rush to pick up the subsequent books. Thank you, I will be reading the other books in your collections.
September 13, 2022
Such a great series!
Wow, this story spans generations, some good, some tragic, but all so interesting! This last book will have you crying, so keep the hankies handy! Wonderful read!
Wow, this story spans generations, some good, some tragic, but all so interesting! This last book will have you crying, so keep the hankies handy! Wonderful read!
March 19, 2023
Oh, divine!
I adore Greta Curran Browne's writing! She brings a boring historical story to life! All you feel is exactly how the characters in her books felt. Enjoy them while you can because they ended, for me, altogether too soon.
I adore Greta Curran Browne's writing! She brings a boring historical story to life! All you feel is exactly how the characters in her books felt. Enjoy them while you can because they ended, for me, altogether too soon.
March 4, 2019
Great Book!
I loved this book. It flowed so well that I was shocked when I finished it. It was so smooth!
I loved this book. It flowed so well that I was shocked when I finished it. It was so smooth!
March 19, 2021
A must read
I read the first book in the series then could not stop myself and read the next three. Great stories, great history. Just the type of books I enjoy the most
I read the first book in the series then could not stop myself and read the next three. Great stories, great history. Just the type of books I enjoy the most
February 23, 2022
excellent series
Each book of this set is a good read. Fascinating to get to know the life of a man who gave Australia its start.
Each book of this set is a good read. Fascinating to get to know the life of a man who gave Australia its start.
November 19, 2023
The Wayward Son
This is a good story told well. It is peopled with realistic characters. Overall very well paced and a joy to read.
This is a good story told well. It is peopled with realistic characters. Overall very well paced and a joy to read.
November 13, 2015
This book concludes a great four book series. Ms. Browne is an excellent story teller. All four books were extremely well written. This is a historical/factual-fiction/biography series. Though the cover for this book confuses me. I am not sure where a woman wearing a light dress with a bikini underneath comes into the story line. Anyway, I highly recommend this series.
December 27, 2015
Enjoyable
I liked the whole series. Spent some time looking up the people and places mentioned and does indeed follow their history somewhat accurately - well, it is historical fiction!
I liked the whole series. Spent some time looking up the people and places mentioned and does indeed follow their history somewhat accurately - well, it is historical fiction!
March 12, 2015
A fitting end
We should all be pleased the story ends positively after tragedy. Good to know there is a permanent remembrance in the preserved mausoleum.
We should all be pleased the story ends positively after tragedy. Good to know there is a permanent remembrance in the preserved mausoleum.
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November 20, 2018Ditto to below, book 4 of 4
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews