Arcadia

by Morrissey Di

A modern mystery born in a timeless Tasmanian forest from Australia's favourite storyteller, with new novel Before the Storm out now.In the 1930s, in an isolated and beautiful corner of southern Tasmania, a new young wife arrives at her husband's secluded property - Arcadia. Stella, an artist, falls in love with Arcadia's wild, ancient forest. And when an unknown predator strikes, she is saved by an unusual protector...Two generations later, Stella's granddaughter, Sally, and her best friend, Jessica, stumble over Stella's secret life in the forest and find themselves threatened in turn.What starts as a girls' adventurous road trip becomes a hunt for the story of the past, to solve the present, and save their future...A breathtaking Tasmanian tale of ancient forests; of art and science; of love and, above all, of friendship.

Genres: Fiction, Audiobook, Mystery, Australia, Historical Fiction, Romance, Adventure

400 pages, Hardcover

First published October 16, 2018

Reviews

[Suz · Rating 3 out of 5]

A rather contrived novel, but good enough for three stars. Rather straight forward dialogue, and I always notice in this author's work, some chosen words fit into the older generation, not the younger generation that the characters belong to.

Jessica and Sally are lifelong friends and when mysterious things start happening at Sally's farm, Arcadia, friendships are rediscovered. The lush forest surrounds become the central part of the novel, and the lengths others will go to claim some of this forests beauty has no bounds.

Stella, Sally's grandmother falls in love with the forest surrounding Arcadia, and she spends many hours exploring and drawing her finds. Trouble dwells and thus begins the story of unexpected family links. Sally and Jessica bond over a road trip to discover the past and Sally's role in it.

Tasmania is described beautifully and it is evident the authors research into all things environmental. A little bit of suspense and a splash of romance make this an enjoyable read. Die hard Di Morrissey fans will like this I am sure.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

When you pick up a book by Australian author Di Morrissey you know it’s going to be filled with fabulous descriptions, an engaging storyline, well research and Arcadia was no exception. The way the landscape and bush land of Tasmania is written in this books has the reader feeling as if they are right there.

Arcadia took me on a wonderful and captivating journey exploring Tasmania, friendships and love with a little mystery added to the mix. Recommend.

[Amanda - Mrs B's Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

*https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
4.5 stars
Finally it is Tasmania’s turn in the spotlight, thanks to director Di Morrissey! One of my favourite Australian storytellers makes her annual return with Arcadia, a book that is a deep evocation of Tasmania and it is also one locale I have dying for Morrissey to tackle. Arcadia is a novel full of finesse and a deep sense of place. I enjoyed it very much.

Arcadia sees intrepid Australian storyteller Di Morrissey travel to Tasmania, revealing a contemporary story of friendship and a fateful road trip that unlocks secrets of the past. Arcadia also travels back in time to the 1930s, where we meet Stella, a young wife and talented artist, who discovers the true beauty of the forest and inhabitants that surround her property. When Stella finds herself deep in the forest one day, seeking ideas for her artwork, she is confronted with a dangerous situation and an unlikely hero comes to her rescue. Decades later, Stella’s granddaughter Sally, along with her childhood friend, work to uncover Stella’s secret life, but this is a dark path, unleashing a threat to the two friend’s lives. Arcadia is a book that sees a convergence of the past, present and the future, all through the work of two determined and fearless women on a life changing road trip.

I have a long standing reading relationship with Di Morrissey, I have read the bulk of her novels, save for four from her extensive backlist. I always look forward to her end of the year release with a sense of excitement. My anticipation stepped up a notch this year when I discovered that Morrissey was basing her latest and twenty sixth novel in twenty seven years in Tasmania, my most favourite part of Australia (save for my own birthplace and home of Perth, Western Australia). I know after listening to a number of media interviews with Di Morrissey, that Arcadia is another labour of love and it is a wonderful rendition to Tasmania. I know Tasmanians or those like myself who hold this part of Australia in high regard will be impressed by what Arcadia has to offer.

Firstly, I must praise Di Morrissey for her depiction of Tasmania. Morrissey always strives to provide a rich sense of place in her novels and Arcadia is no exception. I know Morrissey completed a thorough research trip around Tasmania to inform her latest novel and these travel vignettes shine through Arcadia. Through Morrissey’s descriptive prose we feel the mist, cold, brooding atmosphere, isolation and the tranquil, but almost prehistoric beauty of this locale. I feel like more than any other state in Australia, that there is unspoilt beauty to Tasmania that we must work to preserve. I think Morrissey does a good job of not only representing Tasmania, but also drawing our attention to the need to protect Tasmania’s pristine natural beauty.

Essentially, I feel at the heart of Arcadia is the road trip between the two contemporary female leads, Sally and Jessica. Arcadia is not only a story about Tasmania, it is the tale of a homecoming and two close childhood friends, their reconnection and their relationship. Morrissey explores this friendship dynamic well, looking at how distance, family and career directions can put strains on a relationship. Arcadia is also story of hope, as we learn that we often have that one special friend, who is a friend for life, no matter what through Sally and Jessica. This was a touching side step to Arcadia.

The best aspect about Arcadia, apart for the magical setting, was the past narrative, which is Stella’s story set in the 1930s and beyond. I soon found myself wrapped up in Stella’s life and plight. I loved the references made to Stella’s career as an artist. Morrissey highlights Stella’s difficulties in having her work taken seriously, especially as she is a wife of a highly regarded doctor. Linked to Stella’s story is a wonderful ecological narrative thread involving the plight of the masked owl. This was a beautiful touch to the novel and I adored the protection this creature offered to Stella, it was so rewarding.

Another aspect Arcadia explores and this is centered on the mystery side of the novel is the environment and a discovery that is made. This allows Morrissey to show us what she has gleaned in the way of knowledge on Tasmania’s old growth forests, their growth and the hidden gems that exists flora wise in these majestic regions. This area was fascinating and I really appreciated learning about the medicinal properties of fungi. There is plenty to take away as reader from these sequences of the novel and a look at the suggested reading list at the end was certainly very inspiring.

There are many other appealing elements to Arcadia; from a timeless love story, to personal sacrifice, a family mystery, the art links, the foodie tourism aspects and the environmental issues at stake due to land clearing that are seriously threatening Tasmania. On a side note, as a fan of owls, I adored the masked owl images embossed on the opening and closing pages of my print edition of Arcadia, it was a great touch.

Di Morrissey never fails to sink the reader into a fascinating reading journey through each and every one of her novels. My reading love affair with Di Morrissey continues, Arcadia is both entertaining and thought provoking, it also comes high recommended.

*Thanks extended to Pan Macmillan for providing a free copy of this book for review purposes.

Arcadia is book #132 of the Australian Women Writers Challenge

[Dale Harcombe · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the 1930s Stella, comes to live at, Arcadia, her husband’s secluded property in Southern Tasmania. Stella, falls in love with Arcadia and its forest. When she is threatened by a man, a masked owl swoops down to save her. The owl becomes her protector and friend. Stella creates a lot of paintings of the area and her protector owl. The other story takes place with Stella’s granddaughter Sally who, with her best friend, Jessica, uncovers secrets that have been hidden for years. They find friends willing to help them as they seek to understand more of the past. And things that will affect the future. But they also find themselves under threat.
I loved the end papers of this book with the black and white drawings of the masked owl. As a lover of owls I have to say Nyx, as Stella calls the owl, was my favourite character. The story starts off interestingly enough and the setting of Tasmania, is wonderfully described. I have never been to Tasmania but it was conveyed so well it was easy to visualise it. It is obvious a lot of research has gone into this story.
Sadly, though I started enthusiastically, I found my attention being tested at times from about the middle of the book. It felt like too much overload of information about the environment and environmental concerns and not enough attention to the characters and story. The mystery was fairly predictable as was the romance side of things. It’s been a long time since I have read a Di Morrissey book and I was looking forward to it. But because of the issues raised above it was just a three star read for me.

[Brooke - Brooke's Reading Life · Rating 3 out of 5]

*www.onewomansbbr.wordpress.com
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**3.5 stars**

Arcadia by Di Morrissey. (2018).

In the 1930s, young wife and artist Stella lives in an isolated and beautiful corner of southern Tasmania on her husband's secluded property, Arcadia. Stella loves the wild and ancient forest when one day she meets her future unusual protector...
In modern times, Stella's granddaughter Sally lives on Arcadia with her family. She and her best friend Jessica stumble across Stella's secret life and decide to hunt down the full story which leads to them being threatened...

I've read a few other books by this highly successful and popular author and I have to be honest and say I preferred them to this one, although this book is perfectly pleasant to read. The underlying message of protecting our beautiful natural environment is strong and while I think this is an important message, a few times in this book I felt it was a bit randomly introduced into conversation between characters and so didn't quite flow along. All of the scenery described through the book sounded truly amazing and appealing. The story includes a little mystery, a little suspense and a little romance but at the heart of it is the friendship between Sally and Jessica; in a time of stress in her life Jessica knows she can rely on her lifelong friend while working out what she wants in life.
I'm sure many readers would enjoy this story of friendship, art, science, love and nature.

[Alexandra · Rating 1 out of 5]

My first, and last, Di Morrisey book. This book was boring, predictable and poorly written. It had so much potential but everything about it was just so blah.

[Bec K · Rating 2 out of 5]

Started off promising but became very preachy about the environment and predictable. Not much to it, but as it was just getting to the climax it just .... finished, all wrapped up in one page with no drama or real explanation at all. I keep giving her books the benefit of the doubt but I think this has got to be the last one for me.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the descriptions of the forests of Tasmania!

I first read this in May 2020, and I’ve reread it 5 years later and it’s better than the first time. Perhaps because I’ve been to Tasmania about 6 months ago, so I’ve seen some of the landscape where this is set. 4.5★

[Liza Perrat · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable read, evoking the atmosphere of unspoiled Tasmania and the threat it faces of environmental damage. Storyline entertaining, despite a fairly predictable outcome.

[Theresa Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s no doubting Di Morrissey’s claim to the title ‘Australia’s favourite storyteller’. She certainly knows how to deliver a good story. With its blend of family mystery, suspense, history and environmental awareness, Arcadia is a compelling novel that highlights the Tasmanian wilderness at its very best.

“She’d always been drawn to this quiet green world of ancient giants. This was more than schoolroom rhetoric of the great rainforests being the ‘lungs of the planet’; there was a reason these trees had stood as sentries for centuries. And yet how many millions of them had died in such a short amount of time, due to the actions of humans and climate? We’ve learned so little, she thought.”

While there is an historical storyline embedded throughout Arcadia, it is predominantly a contemporary story. There was a lot of intrigue set up within the historical narrative that from a history point of view, I’d have loved to have seen explored further. Smuggling, a secret affair, poaching, the polio epidemic; this was all touched on, but only in a passing sense. More time was given to the contemporary story, which at times, moved along a little too slowly and with less intrigue than the historical angle. This could be more me and my tastes though as everyone knows I prefer historical fiction over contemporary.

The setting was sublime and well realised on the page. I loved the seclusion of Arcadia and the way it was relatively untouched, not just in the environmental sense, but in the way generations of the one family were still living there, using some of the same furniture and drinking from the same teacups, wearing the same sturdy gumboots and toiling in the same garden beds. It’s in this world building that Di’s talents really show as she knows exactly how to bring a place to life for her readers. And I know a lot about mushrooms now, more than I ever imagined I would! A highlight for me was the bond between Stella and ‘her’ owls. That was a truly special aspect of this story.

Arcadia is a good read with wide appeal. As a hardback, it would make an ideal Christmas gift.


Thanks is extended to Pan Macmillan Australia for providing me with a copy of Arcadia for review.

[Cynthia · Rating 3 out of 5]

The landscape of Tasmania is wonderfully described in this story, being both wild and comforting. There is mystery, friendship and love in there but the overiding message is all about the environment. While this is an important message I think it could of been handled a little more subtlety and let the story and characters shine more.

[Angela · Rating 1 out of 5]

What an absolute abomination! A vague, half hearted plot that most of the time did not make sense. I respect a book that makes you feel it has been cleverly crafted, with layers of meanings, this was the opposite. Contrived circumstances, just to make a story “work”, flat, unrealistic characters, with no depth who always talked in a “chirpy” manner, even if they were “angry”. Half way through the book suspense randomly started to build but then completely just stopped, for no explained reason. I only finished reading it as it was a gift and I wanted to see if it redeemed itself by the end - sadly it only got worse! I was originally keen to give it a go as it is set in Tasmania, but rather than conveying a real sense of Tassie, the book read like it had been commissioned by Tasmania’s Tourist Board, long and frequent descriptions of Tasmania’s attractions in perky, flowery prose. No one talks like that!!! And then the fungi - omg! Long and descriptive statements, trying to pose as conversations between characters, but sounded like the were statements straight out of Encylopedia Brittanica - again, no one talks that that! Maybe the author/publishers should really try to save a forest, and stop printing crap books like this one!

[Sharron · Rating 1 out of 5]

Shame! I used to enjoy Di Morrissey's books but they are now nothing but vehicles to push her environmental agenda. Incredibly repetitive verbiage , a thin contrived story that barely qualified as a plot. The book was boring and disappointingly predictable. I assume Ms. Morrissey has disdained advice from editors as it is poorly written. I was disappointed as a story set in Tasmania had so much potential, however, it was completely underwhelming!

[Jen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Terrible. Just terrible.
Plot was thing and predictable and far too Brady bunch. The writing itself was painful to read.
Wish I could un-read this.

[patmarli1 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tasmania, its old-growth forests, its waterways, its produce and its mycelium - or underground fungus colonies - are featured in this romantic mystery. They make this a fascinating read. The mystery elements kept me intrigued and I really enjoyed the research that shaped the story of Tasmania's ongoing challenge to remain a pristine natural beauty when also a pastoral playground. However, I struggled with the pace of the novel and domestic elements of the narrative. At times I wanted the author to push the ‘go’ button on the plot and save the dialogue for another time. Overall however, it was an enjoyable read and the characters were likeable and interesting. I will now try another of Di Morrissey’s novels to sample what else she writes.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good yarn from Ms Morrissey. Although her plots tend to be formulaic, an amazing amount of research goes into each novel. The settings are all real places, carefully researched and lovingly recreated.


As with many of her books, there is an environmental aspect, something very close to the author's heart. It was only when I attended a talk by Di Morrissey a few years ago that I realised how much effort and money she has expended on environmental causes throughout Australia. This gave me far more respect for her and her novels.

[Craig and Phil · Rating 4 out of 5]

https://www.instagram.com/happyvalley...

[Sandy J · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just a bit of a bore, could have been 100 pages shorter

[Sarah Johnston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Di Morrissey always writes a good story and this novel is no different. Set in Tasmania and told in two separate timelines this is an engaging and easy to read novel. The author shows a real concern for environmental issues and these are at the core of the Tasmanian setting with it old growth forests. The outcome is predictable but I felt it ended rather too abruptly, however a light, easy holiday read.

[Mira · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was quite excited for this book! Reading the blurb, it definitely struck quite a few chords-historical accounts, female friendships, TASMANIA with its stunning scenery and atmosphere, maybe a splash of mystery and magical realism...gorgeous.

However, perhaps Di Morrissey's style is just not my cup of tea because the characters all felt somewhat flat, one-note, and preachy; I appreciate discussions of mycology and global warming (possibly more than most), but do I want six uninterrupted paragraphs of a character unnaturally info-dumping about deforestation? Not quite. Furthermore, I found that some of the most interesting aspects of the novel and character arcs/choices (especially concerning Stella's life in Arcadia in the 1930s) were glossed over, and the tension was continuously undercut by meandering, inane details. The book completely lost momentum halfway through, and it was incredibly distracting to have characters in their 30s talk like octogenarians. Overall, a frustrating and contrived read.

So, I certainly don't plan to read anything else from this author, BUT I will say that Arcadia did impart some beauty of prose regarding Tasmania, and reminded me of how much I loved the island. Plus, by buying this I supported one of my favourite local bookstores, and I plan to leave it in my local charity shop, where hopefully it will provide more pleasure and entertainment to its next owner!

[Marian Hearn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was disappointed by this book. Not sure if it is because I live in Tasmania and just could not place where situations were set and distances and times between places. This is always confusing when fiction is set in real places. I also found the outcome very predictable. I have read all of Di Morrissey's other books with varied degree of liking.

[angeline]

DNFed 18%

No 30-something year old speaks like that in 2018...

I kind of knew from the start this wouldn't be my kind of book, given the last time I read a Di Morrissey book I DNFed it. But I got this as a gift, and so I thought I should give it a chance. And I honestly did try, but it's just really not my thing.

[Lisa · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book reminded me of reading Enid Blyton as a child. Thin plot and basic dialogue. The case is solved and everything works out charmingly perfect in the end. It’s as if the Famous Five grew up and continued their good work.

[Thomas Greenbank · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my first ever Di Morrissey book. I chose it because of the setting (I lived in Tassie for a time) and her reputation. I doubt if I'll ever read another of her works.
Some reviewers here have panned Arcadia severely. I'm giving it three stars, as I did manage to finish it.
The basic storyline, I found interesting, but underdone. The characters were very one-dimensional and saccharine-sweet. The only really interesting character (the antagonist) existed only as a shadow lurking in the background. He had no dialogue, and very little input into the story. A big opportunity lost, in my opinion.
Reading this book felt like attending a lecture on ecology and environmental awareness. I'm all for preserving the planet and all that. When I read a novel, however, I want to be entertained, not lectured to.
Sorry, Di, but this didn't do a lot for me. It was flat, plodding, and also badly edited. Having said that, so many traditionally published works these days read like they were edited by eighth-graders so that's nothing unusual.

[Cynthia Grove · Rating 3 out of 5]

Conflicted about how to rate this. Have read it as a book club book. The first 100 pages or so were not impressive with echoes of other works and lacking engagement.
As I progressed through the book, after Sal and Jess start on their car trip, I began to be interested in the story. The actual mystery referred to in the book was a bit forced and felt almost like a side issue. The environmental issues that other reviewers have mentioned were actually quite interesting in the way they were written and for that reason the forced mystery is easily forgivable.

Perhaps a too-neat rounding up for the book's end.

Amusingly I found a connection with another book of the same name. Genres, time, subject matter, writing style are as different as possible between the two. The themes underlying each story are very similar- how humans can destroy a planet, how time can restore much, and so it goes.

[Seadaz · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a wonderful tale.

Loved the story, the characters were a nice mix, author was able to describe them in such a way that the reader feels they know them.

I was a bit dubious about Dan at first and thought he may have been one of the baddies and arrived on the scene in a convenient manner, I was wrong he was one of the good ones.

I agree with what other readers have said about the abundance of the author weaving into the story the ideology of being green, environmentalists etc etc - yes it does take over a bit and become somewhat preachy - but as a reader you can skim past those particular parts without losing the story.

Still an enjoyable book.

[Tim Arundell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Di Morrissey writes with such skill about Acadia that it is easy to visualise and almost smell the setting. The way she wove the story with such likeable characters over 4 generations kept you wanting to read ‘one more chapter’ before bedtime. Her obvious knowledge of and connection to natural environments has led to me following up with reading about old growth forests in Tasmania and the wide use and potential use of fungi in saving our planet. It was also very satisfying to read about characters with loving and respectful relationships.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

At first I thought I wouldn't finish this thinking it was a bit corney. In the end I enjoyed this book about friendship, relationships, family, Tasmania and the environment. Two friends get back together after years of separation and their friendship takes off from where it left. Set on one of the friends family farm which has been in the family for several generations. Occasionally the story flips back to the grandmother's life.
The book is strongly about our link to the earth and our care of it.

[Jenny Rushforth · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a WONDERFUL read. Thank you so much Di Morrissey. Arcadia takes you right into the rain forests of Tasmania. It also validated for me, the importance of knowing or getting to know your “family History”.
Arcadia was unputdownable.
Since we’ve been traveling around Australia in our Motorhome, I’ve been reading Di Morrissey’s books. I love the history & the research Di does for her books.
Di is an AMAZING Author

[Denita · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy reading novels by Di Morrissey as she writes descriptions so vividly. This story is set in Tasmania and she describes the surroundings with depth and feeling. I have yet to visit Tasmania but after reading this book I feel I must make the journey sooner rather than later.

After saying that I do find her books are written in a style that could be described as old fashioned but as a well loved Australian author her technique must be appreciated by a vast majority of readers.