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A Diamond in the Dust: The powerful story of how one woman overcame tragedy to forge an outback empire
The powerful true story of how one woman turned outback dust into a diamond empire. Within minutes of landing in Kununurra, Frauke Bolten had made up her mind to get on a plane back home to Germany. It was 1981 and the dusty frontier town was no place for a woman. However, Frauke stayed, determined to help her husband carve out a new life farming. Tragedy struck just three years later when Friedrich took his own life and she was left to raise their family alone. Twenty-six years after she sold her first necklace off the back porch, Kimberley Fine Diamonds in Kununurra is now home to one of the world’s largest collections of Argyle pink diamonds, with a client list that includes Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman. Frauke is credited for not only pioneering an industry, but for putting the tiny outback town and its precious diamonds on the map.A Diamond in the Dust is a tale of love and loss, hardship and heartache, but ultimately the inspiring story of how a young girl from Germany overcame tragedy to pioneer a diamond empire in one of the most unforgiving terrains on earth.
267 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2018
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January 13, 2019
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These words come directly from Frauke Bolten-Boshammer, who is the subject of the memoir, A Diamond in the Dust. Frauke is also the co-narrator of this book which she shares with Sue Smethurst, a senior journalist. A Diamond in the Dust is a very accessible non fiction title, reminding the reader of what it means to be human and survive life’s knocks.
When German born Frauke Bolten arrived in the one of Australia’s most remote locations, Kununurra, which borders the NT and WA, she knew her life was going to be forever changed. This young mother of three had already survived time in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), but what she now faced in Australia was something entirely different altogether. Frauke soon learnt of the challenges of living in remote Australia. From farming failures, to threats from Mother Nature and learning to live alongside some the world’s deadliest creatures, Frauke lived to tell the tale. Amongst the daily struggles just to survive, the family faced incredible loss, many lows and the sense of isolation that comes not only from living in the Kimberley, but the distance between their ancestral home in Germany. But Frauke is a pioneer and an entrepreneur. She begins a lucrative business selling diamonds from her backyard to tourists. Eventually this leads to the establishment of her very own diamond empire that specialises in rare pink diamonds.Through it all, Frauke and her family, grow and prosper, but they also are delivered some serious blows. A Diamond in the Dust charts one staunch German woman’s pure grit and determination to prosper in a land that can swallow you whole.
Reading A Diamond in the Dust by Frauke Bolten-Boshammer and Sue Smethurst is a little like being the observer while someone puts on a family projector. Reel upon reel of vivid images of Frauke’s life appeared before my eyes, as I placed my myself in her shoes. Frauke’s journey begins as a young girl in Germany. The book charts her childhood briefly, along with her early career, her courtship to her husband Friedrich, their move to Rhodesia, the family’s return to Germany and eventually their brave move to Kununurra. Each scene in Frauke’s life is well told, so this is an ideal memoir for those who are just starting out to explore non fiction titles.
What I enjoyed the most about A Diamond in the Dust was the fish out of water feeling expressed by Frauke. Her husband is determined not to fail in his new life in Australia, there is no option for him to return to Germany defeated. While Frauke’s young children relish in their new outback life, their mother struggles. We learn a great deal about the migrant experience in Australia. Frauke explains how she experienced language barriers, acclimatising to the heat, difficulties in obtaining food and services and their ignorance in terms of agricultural techniques suitable for Australia. What also pulled me in were the little flourishes on the Bolten’s German background. I loved hearing about the traditional cooking, dish preparation, customs, Christmas celebrations and Frauke’s propensity to open her home to many (including Hollywood stars). She is clearly a generous and giving woman.
What also made this book so genuine were the scenes where Frauke described unwelcome intruders, such as snakes, or a crocodile that was chased out of the house, it was quite unbelievable! It also gives the reader a very conclusive understanding of what everyday life would be like in such an inhospitable land.
Where A Diamond in the Dust succeeds is in its side focus on mental health in rural areas. We learn how suicide does not discriminate and touches the young and old, both male and female in the outback. I hope drawing attention to this through her own personal and painful experiences, Frauke can open up essential channels of conversation that should occur around this vital area of need.
On a different note, I was taken aback by Frauke’s establishment of her diamond business. She truly is a woman to aspire to and her ingenuity meant she soared, high above anyone’s expectations. She is incredibly influential and an excellent figurehead for the Kununurra community and the surrounding Kimberley region.
The only drawback of A Diamond in the Dust that I feel I must highlight is the layout of the book. I welcomed the personal photographs included which added another visual layer to the unfolding life story. However, their particular placement in the text meant that it ruined some of the unfolding story for me, some life events were covered in these photographs which I actually had not read about yet in the memoir, so it was spoiler! Save viewing the photographs until the end!
Frauke Bolten-Boshammer is an everyday hero and we need more books about life’s pioneers. My heartfelt appreciation to Frauke and Sue Smethurst for scripting this excellent memoir on life, love, loss, survival and faith.
*Please note that a free copy of this book was provided to me for review purposes through Beauty & Lace and Simon & Schuster.
A Diamond in the Dust is book #3 of the 2019 Australian Women Writers Challenge
These words come directly from Frauke Bolten-Boshammer, who is the subject of the memoir, A Diamond in the Dust. Frauke is also the co-narrator of this book which she shares with Sue Smethurst, a senior journalist. A Diamond in the Dust is a very accessible non fiction title, reminding the reader of what it means to be human and survive life’s knocks.
When German born Frauke Bolten arrived in the one of Australia’s most remote locations, Kununurra, which borders the NT and WA, she knew her life was going to be forever changed. This young mother of three had already survived time in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), but what she now faced in Australia was something entirely different altogether. Frauke soon learnt of the challenges of living in remote Australia. From farming failures, to threats from Mother Nature and learning to live alongside some the world’s deadliest creatures, Frauke lived to tell the tale. Amongst the daily struggles just to survive, the family faced incredible loss, many lows and the sense of isolation that comes not only from living in the Kimberley, but the distance between their ancestral home in Germany. But Frauke is a pioneer and an entrepreneur. She begins a lucrative business selling diamonds from her backyard to tourists. Eventually this leads to the establishment of her very own diamond empire that specialises in rare pink diamonds.Through it all, Frauke and her family, grow and prosper, but they also are delivered some serious blows. A Diamond in the Dust charts one staunch German woman’s pure grit and determination to prosper in a land that can swallow you whole.
Reading A Diamond in the Dust by Frauke Bolten-Boshammer and Sue Smethurst is a little like being the observer while someone puts on a family projector. Reel upon reel of vivid images of Frauke’s life appeared before my eyes, as I placed my myself in her shoes. Frauke’s journey begins as a young girl in Germany. The book charts her childhood briefly, along with her early career, her courtship to her husband Friedrich, their move to Rhodesia, the family’s return to Germany and eventually their brave move to Kununurra. Each scene in Frauke’s life is well told, so this is an ideal memoir for those who are just starting out to explore non fiction titles.
What I enjoyed the most about A Diamond in the Dust was the fish out of water feeling expressed by Frauke. Her husband is determined not to fail in his new life in Australia, there is no option for him to return to Germany defeated. While Frauke’s young children relish in their new outback life, their mother struggles. We learn a great deal about the migrant experience in Australia. Frauke explains how she experienced language barriers, acclimatising to the heat, difficulties in obtaining food and services and their ignorance in terms of agricultural techniques suitable for Australia. What also pulled me in were the little flourishes on the Bolten’s German background. I loved hearing about the traditional cooking, dish preparation, customs, Christmas celebrations and Frauke’s propensity to open her home to many (including Hollywood stars). She is clearly a generous and giving woman.
What also made this book so genuine were the scenes where Frauke described unwelcome intruders, such as snakes, or a crocodile that was chased out of the house, it was quite unbelievable! It also gives the reader a very conclusive understanding of what everyday life would be like in such an inhospitable land.
Where A Diamond in the Dust succeeds is in its side focus on mental health in rural areas. We learn how suicide does not discriminate and touches the young and old, both male and female in the outback. I hope drawing attention to this through her own personal and painful experiences, Frauke can open up essential channels of conversation that should occur around this vital area of need.
On a different note, I was taken aback by Frauke’s establishment of her diamond business. She truly is a woman to aspire to and her ingenuity meant she soared, high above anyone’s expectations. She is incredibly influential and an excellent figurehead for the Kununurra community and the surrounding Kimberley region.
The only drawback of A Diamond in the Dust that I feel I must highlight is the layout of the book. I welcomed the personal photographs included which added another visual layer to the unfolding life story. However, their particular placement in the text meant that it ruined some of the unfolding story for me, some life events were covered in these photographs which I actually had not read about yet in the memoir, so it was spoiler! Save viewing the photographs until the end!
Frauke Bolten-Boshammer is an everyday hero and we need more books about life’s pioneers. My heartfelt appreciation to Frauke and Sue Smethurst for scripting this excellent memoir on life, love, loss, survival and faith.
*Please note that a free copy of this book was provided to me for review purposes through Beauty & Lace and Simon & Schuster.
A Diamond in the Dust is book #3 of the 2019 Australian Women Writers Challenge
December 12, 2018
Loved this tale of determination and overcoming adversity by Frauke Bolten-Boshammer with Sue Smethurst called 'A Diamond in the Dust'.
I found this to be an easy to read non-fiction tale about Frauke - her life, family and building of her business Kimberley Fine Diamonds. Frauke engages you as you read about the good times and the devastating and challenging times.
I always love getting to know the people and the places through non-fiction, I poured over the photos within the book getting to know Frauke’s family and found myself googling the places she spoke about Kununurra, Lake Argyle, Kelly’s Knob and Hidden Valley. The outback Frauke speaks about in her story is an additional character that we grow to love and hate, I learnt about the hardship the locals face with the wet season, crops and nature but also the beauty the area has to offer.
I think most will enjoy this book, I have recommended it to many already. Frauke’s story from a child in Germany to a successful business woman in the Australian Outback today deserves to be on everyone’s book shelves.
Thank you to Simon and Schuster and Beauty and Lace for the opportunity to read this book.
I found this to be an easy to read non-fiction tale about Frauke - her life, family and building of her business Kimberley Fine Diamonds. Frauke engages you as you read about the good times and the devastating and challenging times.
I always love getting to know the people and the places through non-fiction, I poured over the photos within the book getting to know Frauke’s family and found myself googling the places she spoke about Kununurra, Lake Argyle, Kelly’s Knob and Hidden Valley. The outback Frauke speaks about in her story is an additional character that we grow to love and hate, I learnt about the hardship the locals face with the wet season, crops and nature but also the beauty the area has to offer.
I think most will enjoy this book, I have recommended it to many already. Frauke’s story from a child in Germany to a successful business woman in the Australian Outback today deserves to be on everyone’s book shelves.
Thank you to Simon and Schuster and Beauty and Lace for the opportunity to read this book.
June 11, 2019
I listened to this on Audiobook. It was wonderful.
The twist and turns life takes us on is sometimes more than just a fun rollercoaster ride, it’s fraught with pain and heartache, and for Frauke Bolten-Boshammer there were many challenges and oceans of tears but Frauke tackles everything in a positive way. I love her determination and just getting on with it, such a gutsy and exceptional woman. Migrating with her family from Germany to the outback in Western Australia, setting up their home in Kununurra - a rugged, crazy hot and harsh environment, enduring Mother Nature’s wrath, living in close proximity to some dangerous creatures and becoming a successful business woman… - Frauke is truly inspiring.
The Kimberley region is on my bucket list and with my fingers tightly crossed hopefully we’ll be heading that way some time next year to explore the many local attractions: Kununurra, Lake Argyle, Kelly’s Knob, The Grotto, Cockburn Ranges, El Questro Station, etc.
The twist and turns life takes us on is sometimes more than just a fun rollercoaster ride, it’s fraught with pain and heartache, and for Frauke Bolten-Boshammer there were many challenges and oceans of tears but Frauke tackles everything in a positive way. I love her determination and just getting on with it, such a gutsy and exceptional woman. Migrating with her family from Germany to the outback in Western Australia, setting up their home in Kununurra - a rugged, crazy hot and harsh environment, enduring Mother Nature’s wrath, living in close proximity to some dangerous creatures and becoming a successful business woman… - Frauke is truly inspiring.
The Kimberley region is on my bucket list and with my fingers tightly crossed hopefully we’ll be heading that way some time next year to explore the many local attractions: Kununurra, Lake Argyle, Kelly’s Knob, The Grotto, Cockburn Ranges, El Questro Station, etc.
November 19, 2019
I was interested to read this memoir as I’ve been intrigued about the Kimberley since travelling through there in a caravan 6 years ago. I could feel the oppressive heat and the unique beauty of the landscape coming through the pages. Frauke’s life story is definitely worth a book; from her home in Germany, to Africa and finally Kunnanurra in Western Australia, her resilience and optimism is quite astonishing. She goes from being an obedient young wife to making her own big decisions that see her build a successful empire and large family.
There is tragedy in this story but also a sense of ease or maybe a particular type of German efficiency where things just happen, like catering for hordes of people with extravagant homemade buffets... I know she has a big coolroom but still! The heat, the flies, the crocodiles! So many hurdles to overcome, a ten hour drive to get practically anywhere and yet a business and new homes can be built, diverse crops can be grown and children can be well educated and travelled. What a legend.
There is tragedy in this story but also a sense of ease or maybe a particular type of German efficiency where things just happen, like catering for hordes of people with extravagant homemade buffets... I know she has a big coolroom but still! The heat, the flies, the crocodiles! So many hurdles to overcome, a ten hour drive to get practically anywhere and yet a business and new homes can be built, diverse crops can be grown and children can be well educated and travelled. What a legend.
January 31, 2019
Absolutely loved it. As someone who spent time in the bush I always enjoy books set in the outback.
“A Diamond In The Dust” is the true story of Frauke Bolten-Boshammer
Frauke herself proves to be a real diamond. Despite being dealt many tragedies, she deals with it all in a positive way. Not only getting back up and getting on with life, but achieving so much in the harsh outback
This is a story that follows Frauke from her birthplace in Germany to living in Africa and then the place she really made her mark: Kununurra in Western Australia
A story that is jam packed with a real gamut of life experiences. This is one strong gutsy woman
Thank you to Beauty and Lace and Simon and Schuster for the opportunity to read and review such an enjoyable book
February 7, 2021
Once I started this book I couldn’t put it down. ‘A Diamond in the Dust’ is an amazing story of hardship, resilience, grief, love and the importance of family. It made me laugh and it made me cry. Frauke is a true inspiration and I loved reading about her life. I highly recommend this book, especially if you’re from Kununurra and know of Frauke or her family.
October 4, 2020
This book has changed me, this book spoke to me and touched every bone, muscle, organ and emotion my body has! Wow just wow, Frauke, I adore you for your strength through all your hardship. What an admirable woman you are!
December 11, 2023
I don’t normally read autobiographies but this was very interesting with a lot of heartbreak. Fascinating to start life in Germany and end up farming in Kununurra before becoming a pink diamond dealer. Impressive, Frauke, impressive.
December 30, 2022
So wholesome and well written. Some parts are so sad, written so well you feel everything and truly care about the story. Nanna asked me to read it so even cuter
January 18, 2019
This is a compelling read. As a true account of this German family’s leap into the unknown of farming in the rugged Kimberley region of northwestern Western Australia, there are more trials and tribulations than could be put into a novel. The harshly magnificent Kimberley landscape also features strongly throughout the book. It's a totally down to earth account of failure, success, vulnerability, love and tragedy. The strength of character of Frauke comes through without any sentimentality. Nothing is held back. I read this over three nights and could not put it down.
March 2, 2019
What an incredible life story! So many adjectives that I can think of - poignant, devastating, tear-jerking, haunting - the list goes on. Easy to read, hard to forget. Having been to Kununurra I could visualise the area and the beauty of the landscape. You'll need your tissues for this one, but it is also uplifting and inspiring.
October 5, 2019
Really enjoyed.
July 24, 2020
A beautiful book. You will laugh and you will cry.
January 12, 2021
Frauke Bolten-Boshammer ist 1947 als Bauerntochter in Schleswig Holstein geboren. Ihr Vater erzog seine Kinder nach dem frühen Tod seiner Frau eine Weile allein. Die Autorin ist zwar knapp kein Kriegskind mehr, jedoch durch einen Vater geprägt, der Kriegsteilnehmer im Zweiten Weltkrieg war und von dem erwartet wurde, keine Gefühle zu zeigen. Sie heiratet jung Friedrich Bolten, den Erben eines florierenden Gutshofes; das junge Paar gründet einen eigenen Bauernhof. Friedrich ist ein freundlicher, rücksichtsvoller Mann, dessen Abenteuerlust schon bald durchbricht. Ein Studienaufenthalt führt die Boltens mitsamt zwei Kleinkindern auf eine Farm in Simbabwe (damals Rhodesien) und weckt Friedrichs Interesse als Landwirt in anderen Klimazonen Nutzpflanzen anzubauen.
Zu einer Zeit, in der in deutschen Bauernfamilien bereits heftig um die Rolle und die Gleichberechtigung von Bäuerinnen oder Hoferbinnen gestritten wird, hängt Friedrich Bolten noch der Rollenverteilung an, dass die Frau für Haushalt, Kinder und die Geburt eines Hoferben zuständig ist, der Mann jedoch alle Entscheidungen allein trifft. Diese Konstellation bringt die Boltens mit mittlerweile 3 Kindern 1981 auf eine Farm ins australische Outback bei Kunnunura, ohne dass Frauke zuvor gefragt worden ist. Angeblich werden sie nur 2 Jahre in Australien bleiben. Der Hof in Schleswig-Holstein wird von Freunden geführt, während Friedrich buchstäblich von Sonnenaufgang bis Sonnenuntergang schuftet. Als er sich mit den Tücken der Klimazone verschätzt und die Farm Oasis bankrott ist, nimmt Friedrich sich das Leben. Seiner Frau hinterlässt er in einem fremden Land ungeklärte Vermögensverhältnisse und eine ungewisse Zukunft. Entgegen den Erwartungen ihres Vaters und der Schwiegereltern kehrt Frauke jedoch nicht nach Deutschland zurück, sondern wagt im richtigen Moment den Schritt in die berufliche Selbstständigkeit. In der Region sind Diamanten gefunden wurden, die zum Zeitpunkt eines gerade beginnenden Tourismus ungeahnte Chancen für eine Existenzgründung bieten. Friedrich Bolten hatte im äußersten Norden Australiens den idealen Ort gefunden, war seiner Zeit jedoch einige Schritte voraus, wird ihr Sohn Friedrich rückblickend feststellen wird.
Frauke Bolten-Boshammer hat auf drei Kontinenten gelebt, fünf Kinder geboren und nach harten Schicksalsschlägen in Australien eine zweite große Liebe gefunden. Wie aus der jungen Mutter, deren Mann allein über das Schicksal seiner Familie entschied, über 40 Jahre hinweg eine kluge Geschäftsfrau und Patriarchin einer großen Familie wurde, erzählt Frauke Bolten-Boshammer gemeinsam mit einer Co-Autorin. Ihr Buch berichtet jedoch nicht nur vom heimlichen Reichtum des Outbacks, der Großzügigkeit seiner Menschen (S. 163), sondern porträtiert auch eine deutsche Frauengeneration, deren Haltung oft bereits von ihren Enkelinnen nicht mehr verstanden wird. Als Romanstoff würde Frauke Boltens Verhältnis zu ihrem ersten Mann bei jüngeren Leserinnen inzwischen Kopfschütteln hervorrufen. Wie konnte sie sich ohne Einsicht in die finanzielle Lage auf dieses Unternehmen nur einlassen, wird sich mancher heute fragen. Aber welche Alternative hätte sie gehabt?
Mit dem Wissen, dass das Thema Selbstmord mit allen Folgen für die Hinterbliebenen in Bolten-Boshammers Biografie eine entscheidende Rolle spielt, warten auf ihre Leser hier abenteuerliche, urkomische und hochemotionale Szenen. Das Buch ist spannend zu lesen, jedoch spürbar für den australischen Markt verfasst. Sprachlich wirkt der übersetzte Text hölzern, weil er zu nah am englischen Original bleibt und der englische Satzbau zu stark durchscheint. Als Schriftsprache macht dieser zurückübersetzte Sound einen Text zu schwer verständlich
Zu einer Zeit, in der in deutschen Bauernfamilien bereits heftig um die Rolle und die Gleichberechtigung von Bäuerinnen oder Hoferbinnen gestritten wird, hängt Friedrich Bolten noch der Rollenverteilung an, dass die Frau für Haushalt, Kinder und die Geburt eines Hoferben zuständig ist, der Mann jedoch alle Entscheidungen allein trifft. Diese Konstellation bringt die Boltens mit mittlerweile 3 Kindern 1981 auf eine Farm ins australische Outback bei Kunnunura, ohne dass Frauke zuvor gefragt worden ist. Angeblich werden sie nur 2 Jahre in Australien bleiben. Der Hof in Schleswig-Holstein wird von Freunden geführt, während Friedrich buchstäblich von Sonnenaufgang bis Sonnenuntergang schuftet. Als er sich mit den Tücken der Klimazone verschätzt und die Farm Oasis bankrott ist, nimmt Friedrich sich das Leben. Seiner Frau hinterlässt er in einem fremden Land ungeklärte Vermögensverhältnisse und eine ungewisse Zukunft. Entgegen den Erwartungen ihres Vaters und der Schwiegereltern kehrt Frauke jedoch nicht nach Deutschland zurück, sondern wagt im richtigen Moment den Schritt in die berufliche Selbstständigkeit. In der Region sind Diamanten gefunden wurden, die zum Zeitpunkt eines gerade beginnenden Tourismus ungeahnte Chancen für eine Existenzgründung bieten. Friedrich Bolten hatte im äußersten Norden Australiens den idealen Ort gefunden, war seiner Zeit jedoch einige Schritte voraus, wird ihr Sohn Friedrich rückblickend feststellen wird.
Frauke Bolten-Boshammer hat auf drei Kontinenten gelebt, fünf Kinder geboren und nach harten Schicksalsschlägen in Australien eine zweite große Liebe gefunden. Wie aus der jungen Mutter, deren Mann allein über das Schicksal seiner Familie entschied, über 40 Jahre hinweg eine kluge Geschäftsfrau und Patriarchin einer großen Familie wurde, erzählt Frauke Bolten-Boshammer gemeinsam mit einer Co-Autorin. Ihr Buch berichtet jedoch nicht nur vom heimlichen Reichtum des Outbacks, der Großzügigkeit seiner Menschen (S. 163), sondern porträtiert auch eine deutsche Frauengeneration, deren Haltung oft bereits von ihren Enkelinnen nicht mehr verstanden wird. Als Romanstoff würde Frauke Boltens Verhältnis zu ihrem ersten Mann bei jüngeren Leserinnen inzwischen Kopfschütteln hervorrufen. Wie konnte sie sich ohne Einsicht in die finanzielle Lage auf dieses Unternehmen nur einlassen, wird sich mancher heute fragen. Aber welche Alternative hätte sie gehabt?
Mit dem Wissen, dass das Thema Selbstmord mit allen Folgen für die Hinterbliebenen in Bolten-Boshammers Biografie eine entscheidende Rolle spielt, warten auf ihre Leser hier abenteuerliche, urkomische und hochemotionale Szenen. Das Buch ist spannend zu lesen, jedoch spürbar für den australischen Markt verfasst. Sprachlich wirkt der übersetzte Text hölzern, weil er zu nah am englischen Original bleibt und der englische Satzbau zu stark durchscheint. Als Schriftsprache macht dieser zurückübersetzte Sound einen Text zu schwer verständlich
July 19, 2023
There were two main characters in Frauke Bolten-Boshammer’s powerful memoir: Frauke herself and Kununurra, a small town in the remote Kimberley region of northern Western Australia. Against the red dusty landscape of the area, in scorching heat and blustering winds, the resilient young German woman helped to build her family farm against all odds – physical, geographical, financial, and emotional. Frauke’s story, written with Sue Smethurst, kept me glued to the page.
Having myself migrated to Australia 43 years ago, I found her honest recollections of adjustment, first to Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) and then to Kununurra, harrowing at times and inspiring. This resilient young woman presented her story of survival and growth through the years of financial and emotional difficulties with unfaltering strength and a devotion to family. From a farming family in Germany, Frauke poured herself into the running of a successful farming business with her first husband and expanded that business and became an entrepreneur in the Argyle diamond industry years later with her second husband. During these years she built a fulfilling life for herself and her family, surrounded by a caring community. She recounted with openness the impact of her grief over the death of loved ones, her subsequent depression and illness, and her efforts to recover from these with support from the close friends and family around her and abroad.
The second main character of the memoir is the landscape itself. Having never been in that remote region of WA, I nonetheless gained a sensual portrait of its vastness and majesty, its dangers and uniqueness. Frauke came to love and respect the region, her attachment most evident in all of her narrative.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this remarkable story. Overall Frauke conveyed a love of life, an unwavering ability to “never begin to give up and never give up beginning”.
Having myself migrated to Australia 43 years ago, I found her honest recollections of adjustment, first to Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) and then to Kununurra, harrowing at times and inspiring. This resilient young woman presented her story of survival and growth through the years of financial and emotional difficulties with unfaltering strength and a devotion to family. From a farming family in Germany, Frauke poured herself into the running of a successful farming business with her first husband and expanded that business and became an entrepreneur in the Argyle diamond industry years later with her second husband. During these years she built a fulfilling life for herself and her family, surrounded by a caring community. She recounted with openness the impact of her grief over the death of loved ones, her subsequent depression and illness, and her efforts to recover from these with support from the close friends and family around her and abroad.
The second main character of the memoir is the landscape itself. Having never been in that remote region of WA, I nonetheless gained a sensual portrait of its vastness and majesty, its dangers and uniqueness. Frauke came to love and respect the region, her attachment most evident in all of her narrative.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this remarkable story. Overall Frauke conveyed a love of life, an unwavering ability to “never begin to give up and never give up beginning”.
September 30, 2021
Such pain and love and determination.
October 13, 2025
A life well lived.
July 21, 2020
Frauke Bolten-Boshammer's story is one of tremendous tragedy and hard work but also one of love and success. Her mother died when she was just two years of age leaving behind her bereft husband who provided life's necessities to his three children but struggled to show them love. Children should be seen but not heard!
When Frauke was eight years old her father remarried but it was a loveless marriage. Unfortunately he saw affection as a weakness and discouraged his second wife from showing affection to his three children who had to help him on the farm with daily chores to toughen them up.
At 17 years of age Frauke was sent to work on the family farm of Friedrich Bolten who would eventually become her husband. He was a quiet man and a big thinker. Their first child Fritz was born nine months to the day after they married and a second baby arrived 15 months later. Friedrich ran the farm and Frauke organised the household. They were a great team.
They spent ten months on a property in Rhodesia from which Friedrich took home the dust and desert in his blood. He loved the mental and physical challenges he faced in Rhodesia and was excited about the new crops he could sow on the farm in Germany. After a few short months he became restless and started speaking about setting up a farm in another part of the world.
While on a research trip to Western Australia, and without Frauke's knowledge, Friedrich purchased a property in Kununurra and moved his family to the then dusty frontier in 1981. The differences between Germany and north-western Australia were poles apart. Strong courageous Frauke faced many upheavals and tragedies, the first being Friedrich's suicide as he struggled with failed crops and financial stress. It was Frauke who found him dead one morning just a few days before Christmas. He had shot himself on their farm leaving Frauke to cope with her own grief and that of their three children as she tried to get a handle on the family finances. Her stoicism rose to the fore. Frauke eventually loved again when she met and married Robert Boshammer a man ten years her junior. To this day it is a very happy and successful marriage.
Unfortunately tragedy was to strike again in the form of two more suicides, the first being her son Peter and the second being her friend Doris. Frauke's grief over her son's death was dreadfully hard to work through and with the added loss of her good friend, she struggled to cope at all.
Her self declared stubborn German blood enabled Frauke to not only overcome dreadful tragedy including fighting cancer, but to make a great success of her jewellery business which grew from home made jewellery to one where she was invited to attend the annual 'invitation only' auction of Argyle's famous pink diamonds.
When Frauke was eight years old her father remarried but it was a loveless marriage. Unfortunately he saw affection as a weakness and discouraged his second wife from showing affection to his three children who had to help him on the farm with daily chores to toughen them up.
At 17 years of age Frauke was sent to work on the family farm of Friedrich Bolten who would eventually become her husband. He was a quiet man and a big thinker. Their first child Fritz was born nine months to the day after they married and a second baby arrived 15 months later. Friedrich ran the farm and Frauke organised the household. They were a great team.
They spent ten months on a property in Rhodesia from which Friedrich took home the dust and desert in his blood. He loved the mental and physical challenges he faced in Rhodesia and was excited about the new crops he could sow on the farm in Germany. After a few short months he became restless and started speaking about setting up a farm in another part of the world.
While on a research trip to Western Australia, and without Frauke's knowledge, Friedrich purchased a property in Kununurra and moved his family to the then dusty frontier in 1981. The differences between Germany and north-western Australia were poles apart. Strong courageous Frauke faced many upheavals and tragedies, the first being Friedrich's suicide as he struggled with failed crops and financial stress. It was Frauke who found him dead one morning just a few days before Christmas. He had shot himself on their farm leaving Frauke to cope with her own grief and that of their three children as she tried to get a handle on the family finances. Her stoicism rose to the fore. Frauke eventually loved again when she met and married Robert Boshammer a man ten years her junior. To this day it is a very happy and successful marriage.
Unfortunately tragedy was to strike again in the form of two more suicides, the first being her son Peter and the second being her friend Doris. Frauke's grief over her son's death was dreadfully hard to work through and with the added loss of her good friend, she struggled to cope at all.
Her self declared stubborn German blood enabled Frauke to not only overcome dreadful tragedy including fighting cancer, but to make a great success of her jewellery business which grew from home made jewellery to one where she was invited to attend the annual 'invitation only' auction of Argyle's famous pink diamonds.
March 31, 2019
An emotional read. Be prepared, rise above tragedy is very much a part of this life.
A lady of incredible energy and fortitude. I marvel at her ability to keep going, let alone thrive.
I did find it a bit of a slow starter in the first quarter and nearly put it down, but oh I am very glad I journeyed right through. The first part just seemed a bit wordy in minute detail that didn't grab me. A bit like a couple of self published life stories I have tried to read, as I know the life they are talking about is amazing, but I got buried in words and just couldn't continue. But that did not continue and it became very readable.
Hard to give a star rating. The life story is a 5+of course. The writing perhaps a 3. So I will settle to giving a 4 for Goodreads.
A lady of incredible energy and fortitude. I marvel at her ability to keep going, let alone thrive.
I did find it a bit of a slow starter in the first quarter and nearly put it down, but oh I am very glad I journeyed right through. The first part just seemed a bit wordy in minute detail that didn't grab me. A bit like a couple of self published life stories I have tried to read, as I know the life they are talking about is amazing, but I got buried in words and just couldn't continue. But that did not continue and it became very readable.
Hard to give a star rating. The life story is a 5+of course. The writing perhaps a 3. So I will settle to giving a 4 for Goodreads.
May 3, 2020
While this book is not going to win any literary awards I really enjoyed it and read it in a day as it was so easy to read and the story was so captivating.
I think that Frauke is an absolutely amazing woman who has shown great resilience and determination in her life. I love her generosity to her local community and her gift of hospitality that she freely shares with those around her.
This is a book that every person needs to read when they think they've got it tough!
I think that Frauke is an absolutely amazing woman who has shown great resilience and determination in her life. I love her generosity to her local community and her gift of hospitality that she freely shares with those around her.
This is a book that every person needs to read when they think they've got it tough!
December 30, 2019
I enjoyed this book - perhaps it helped that I'd been to Kununurra and knew the landscape so could appreciate the beauty and harshness of the setting.
Frauke is one tough lady who has endured much sadness in her life but rather than dwelling on the tragedies she uses this book to tell an inspiring story of achievement.
Frauke is one tough lady who has endured much sadness in her life but rather than dwelling on the tragedies she uses this book to tell an inspiring story of achievement.
April 27, 2020
I always enjoy a biography especially when it’s set in Australia. Written in a way that is easy to follow, you just want to keep reading. A new appreciation for our Australian outback communities is taken from the book.
June 11, 2020
This was a wonderful, inspirational, gut wrenching story. Simply told in an intimate voice, as if the reader is sitting listening to the story being told by Frauke. I could not put it down until I had finished. Highly recommended.
April 10, 2019
An amazing biography! I highly recommend this book.
April 24, 2019
An emotional and inspiring read.
May 19, 2019
Such a beautiful true story of resilience, heartache and love.
May 21, 2019
Really enjoyed this amazing story
July 10, 2019
I couldn't put this book down. Loved reading about this inspirational woman and the ups and downs in her life
July 29, 2019
It’s based on a true story and is full of honesty, guts and resilience. Loved reading it and it puts life into perspective with all it’s ups ad downs.
August 26, 2019
Loved this book. Sad, happy and an inspirational lady
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