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The Dreaming: A Novel of Australia
Absolutely splendid - it sweeps you away.
Cynthia Freeman, New York Times bestselling author
Set in the untamed landscape of mid-nineteenth century Australia, The Dreaming is a rich and potent tale of hidden passion and broken taboo from acclaimed novelist Barbara Wood.
Australia, 1871 Following her mother s sudden death, Joanna Drury sets sail from India and arrives in Melbourne to claim the property left to her by her mother and to trace the mysteries of her family s past.
From her first steps on shore, Joanna becomes entangled with a lost boy who leads her to the fascinating Hugh Westbrook. She agrees to look after the child, Adam, in exchange for Hugh s help in finding her inheritance. But she falls deeply in love with Hugh and with life at his sheep station, Merinda.
When strange nightmares begin to plague her the same that tormented her mother Joanna starts to notice the Aborigines strange reaction to her. Delving into Australia s past, she searches out the tragic events that have marked her family s destiny and her own life, events that happened long ago in the time the Aborigines call the Dreaming .
Full of intriguing historical detail, Wood s compelling story brings the clash of immigrant and Aboriginal cultures to stunning life, capturing the danger, mystery, and romance of an emerging country.
Cynthia Freeman, New York Times bestselling author
Set in the untamed landscape of mid-nineteenth century Australia, The Dreaming is a rich and potent tale of hidden passion and broken taboo from acclaimed novelist Barbara Wood.
Australia, 1871 Following her mother s sudden death, Joanna Drury sets sail from India and arrives in Melbourne to claim the property left to her by her mother and to trace the mysteries of her family s past.
From her first steps on shore, Joanna becomes entangled with a lost boy who leads her to the fascinating Hugh Westbrook. She agrees to look after the child, Adam, in exchange for Hugh s help in finding her inheritance. But she falls deeply in love with Hugh and with life at his sheep station, Merinda.
When strange nightmares begin to plague her the same that tormented her mother Joanna starts to notice the Aborigines strange reaction to her. Delving into Australia s past, she searches out the tragic events that have marked her family s destiny and her own life, events that happened long ago in the time the Aborigines call the Dreaming .
Full of intriguing historical detail, Wood s compelling story brings the clash of immigrant and Aboriginal cultures to stunning life, capturing the danger, mystery, and romance of an emerging country.
Hardcover
First published January 1, 1991
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About the author
Barbara Wood
199 books523 followersBarbara Wood was born on 30 January 1947 in Warrington, Lancashire, England, UK. Together with her parents and older brother, she immigrated to the United States. She grew up in Southern California and attended Los Angeles Schools. After High School, Barbara attended the University of California at Santa Barbara but left to train as a surgical technician. During this time, Barbara held numerous jobs, before she sold her first novel in 1976. A few years prior, Barbara met her husband George. To date, Barbara has written 22 books, including two under the pen name Kathryn Harvey, these books are quite different from the Barbara Wood's novels and she, her agent and editor agreed that a pen name would serve to indicate the difference. She is an international best selling author with books translated into over 30 languages. The reader is transported to exotic countries that Barbara has meticulously researched to provide her fans with a true sense of the culture and history relevant to each story. At the heart of every book, is a strong, independent woman. Currently, Barbara is busy working on her next story that will, no doubt, showcase an extraordinary heroine in an exciting and intriguing adventure.
When not writing, Barbara often takes time to enjoy the work of other authors, and that of a certain well-known martial artist, whose name is listed among the "Ten things you might not know about Barbara.
When not writing, Barbara often takes time to enjoy the work of other authors, and that of a certain well-known martial artist, whose name is listed among the "Ten things you might not know about Barbara.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 112 reviews
November 11, 2016
4.5 "Outback Dreaming" Stars for the story and narration!
Historical fiction lovers with elements of romance will love the Australian exploration of the late 1870s intermixed with the rich cultural history and interesting beliefs of the Aborigines of many decades before. From its portrayal of the cultural clashes between the "white man" and the Aborigines (the original inhabitants of Australia) to the lack of acceptance among the British gentry of the "nouveau rich" sheep farmers in Australia, The Dreaming: A Novel of Australia provides an interesting glimpse into what life was like for the inhabitants of Australia in this time of transition in its history.
Moreover, not only is the historical fiction aspect of this novel intriguing and mesmerizing, but the intersecting human relationships are also highly developed and addicting to unravel. From the two main characters, an innovative and successful sheep farmer (Hugh Westbrook) and the woman (Joanna Drury) who steals his heart when they meet by coincidence upon her arrival in Australia in search of her personal history (and a plot of land that was her inheritance), to the aspiring and jealous sheep farmer neighbors who are constantly affecting the main couple, to the Aborigine descending family friends who shape their beliefs and customs with the ways of the old, I loved learning about this colorful cast of characters.
Among the questions that you will find yourself asking are: was Joanna's family truly cursed by the Aborigines? What is the significance of her family's intense fear of dogs and nightmares filled with a serpent snake? Moreover, can Hugh and Joanna find a HEA under the constant trials and tribulations that seem to constantly plague them and those around them?
Sharyn Doolan delivers a talented narration in The Dreaming. From Ms. Doolan's creation of individual voices for each one of the many characters, to her attention to personality and accent specific nuances, Ms. Doolan delivers a narration that makes you feel like you are listening to the sound track of a movie, rather than someone reading a book.
Ms. Doolan's attention to these details make it effortless to follow along with the speaker in the dialogues immediately knowing who is speaking. Ms. Doolan also paces her narration so that it is easy to follow her: appropriately modifying the speed of her delivery depending on the tone and speaker of the particular scene.
All in all, if you're looking for something different, and love romances that also bare light on matters of historical significance, then The Dreaming is sure to provide hours of entertainment.
Source: Review copy provided for review purposes.
Historical fiction lovers with elements of romance will love the Australian exploration of the late 1870s intermixed with the rich cultural history and interesting beliefs of the Aborigines of many decades before. From its portrayal of the cultural clashes between the "white man" and the Aborigines (the original inhabitants of Australia) to the lack of acceptance among the British gentry of the "nouveau rich" sheep farmers in Australia, The Dreaming: A Novel of Australia provides an interesting glimpse into what life was like for the inhabitants of Australia in this time of transition in its history.
Moreover, not only is the historical fiction aspect of this novel intriguing and mesmerizing, but the intersecting human relationships are also highly developed and addicting to unravel. From the two main characters, an innovative and successful sheep farmer (Hugh Westbrook) and the woman (Joanna Drury) who steals his heart when they meet by coincidence upon her arrival in Australia in search of her personal history (and a plot of land that was her inheritance), to the aspiring and jealous sheep farmer neighbors who are constantly affecting the main couple, to the Aborigine descending family friends who shape their beliefs and customs with the ways of the old, I loved learning about this colorful cast of characters.
Among the questions that you will find yourself asking are: was Joanna's family truly cursed by the Aborigines? What is the significance of her family's intense fear of dogs and nightmares filled with a serpent snake? Moreover, can Hugh and Joanna find a HEA under the constant trials and tribulations that seem to constantly plague them and those around them?
Sharyn Doolan delivers a talented narration in The Dreaming. From Ms. Doolan's creation of individual voices for each one of the many characters, to her attention to personality and accent specific nuances, Ms. Doolan delivers a narration that makes you feel like you are listening to the sound track of a movie, rather than someone reading a book.
Ms. Doolan's attention to these details make it effortless to follow along with the speaker in the dialogues immediately knowing who is speaking. Ms. Doolan also paces her narration so that it is easy to follow her: appropriately modifying the speed of her delivery depending on the tone and speaker of the particular scene.
All in all, if you're looking for something different, and love romances that also bare light on matters of historical significance, then The Dreaming is sure to provide hours of entertainment.
Source: Review copy provided for review purposes.
April 19, 2009
This wasn't a book I had heard about elsewhere and was dying to read; it just came across my desk at the library and I snagged it for myself. You can't see the cover, but it's intriguing - Aboriginal designs - and the title "The Dreaming" (a reference to Aboriginal creation stories) and subtitle, "A Novel of Australia" caught my eye. Having recently returned from there and being interested in Aboriginal culture and beliefs, I was hopeful that this book would be well-researched and give me more insight, as well as let me return to the land down under through vivid descriptions on landscape and so on. In this goal, it fulfilled my expectations.
However, as a story, I found it lacking. That's not entirely accurate - I enjoyed the story very much. As a polished, edited story, I found it lacking. This seemed like two different books. The first half was the author just laying groundwork for what she thought was going to happen, lots of character development and history. Then her characters took off and the story ran away from her. By the end, a lot of that backstory was pretty irrelevant but wasn't cut or consolidated, so by the 450th page, it seemed that her editor had said "Okay, this has gone on long enough. Wrap it up." and so she did. On the last page. There were still characters searching for other characters and it is implied that they are reunited, but not actually done. It was a little frustrating, not least because I really liked the characters and wanted to see their story come to a good, satisfying end. I would read more by her, though, in hopes that she found a better editor and/or better focus.
However, as a story, I found it lacking. That's not entirely accurate - I enjoyed the story very much. As a polished, edited story, I found it lacking. This seemed like two different books. The first half was the author just laying groundwork for what she thought was going to happen, lots of character development and history. Then her characters took off and the story ran away from her. By the end, a lot of that backstory was pretty irrelevant but wasn't cut or consolidated, so by the 450th page, it seemed that her editor had said "Okay, this has gone on long enough. Wrap it up." and so she did. On the last page. There were still characters searching for other characters and it is implied that they are reunited, but not actually done. It was a little frustrating, not least because I really liked the characters and wanted to see their story come to a good, satisfying end. I would read more by her, though, in hopes that she found a better editor and/or better focus.
August 14, 2017
I had previously read Soul Flame, a historical tale set in the Middle East by Barbara Wood. I found many similarities when I was enjoying The Dreaming. The current book is set in 1800s Australia but both show women's ways of life, from differing cultures; an arid landscape which yet provides for the people; healing wisdom and medicinal herbs; travel within the wider area; exploration of culture and spirituality.
Our protagonist Joanna Drury, daughter of a woman who had missionary parents and lived among Aborigines for a few years, sails from England in 1871 to find out what haunts her dreams. Today we might say that her ongoing dreams are planted by suggestion after she reads her mother's diary so much. Joanna also has a vague deed to a plot of land but as the territories are so fractured and names change, nobody can easily say where the land lies. She catches the eye of a good man, but she thus makes enemies.
We meet the colonial sheep farmers, see their rough ways of life and the cycle of shearing and lambing in the outback, though the red heart was unexplored at this time (or explorers had not returned alive) and some thought it possible there was a great sea in the centre of the continent. With the inundation of the land by new animals in great numbers, it wasn't long before pests and diseases caught up and some farmers faced ruin. As did their wives, who had made for themselves a virtual English closed society.
And we meet Sarah, a half caste girl living with Joanna and her new family. Torn between two worlds and accepted in neither, Sarah and anyone who understands Aboriginal culture tries to pass on the knowledge to Joanna, preserving the ways of the displaced people, The Dreaming, though others believe the problem will take care of itself. Sarah very much gets her own romantic story as this book spans decades.
Having read two books by this author and marvelled at the fluid storytelling, sustained suspense, depth of research and vivid characterisation, I can say I would read anything Barbara Wood has written. I'm looking out for Green City In The Sun which is set in Africa.
This is an unbiased review.
Our protagonist Joanna Drury, daughter of a woman who had missionary parents and lived among Aborigines for a few years, sails from England in 1871 to find out what haunts her dreams. Today we might say that her ongoing dreams are planted by suggestion after she reads her mother's diary so much. Joanna also has a vague deed to a plot of land but as the territories are so fractured and names change, nobody can easily say where the land lies. She catches the eye of a good man, but she thus makes enemies.
We meet the colonial sheep farmers, see their rough ways of life and the cycle of shearing and lambing in the outback, though the red heart was unexplored at this time (or explorers had not returned alive) and some thought it possible there was a great sea in the centre of the continent. With the inundation of the land by new animals in great numbers, it wasn't long before pests and diseases caught up and some farmers faced ruin. As did their wives, who had made for themselves a virtual English closed society.
And we meet Sarah, a half caste girl living with Joanna and her new family. Torn between two worlds and accepted in neither, Sarah and anyone who understands Aboriginal culture tries to pass on the knowledge to Joanna, preserving the ways of the displaced people, The Dreaming, though others believe the problem will take care of itself. Sarah very much gets her own romantic story as this book spans decades.
Having read two books by this author and marvelled at the fluid storytelling, sustained suspense, depth of research and vivid characterisation, I can say I would read anything Barbara Wood has written. I'm looking out for Green City In The Sun which is set in Africa.
This is an unbiased review.
February 7, 2014
Ιστορικά, λαογραφικά και φανταστικά στοιχεία στολίζουν μια φοβερή περιπέτεια που ξεκινάει το 1871 και λήγει το 1886. Μπορεί η βασική ηρωίδα να είναι η Τζοάνα αλλά "ακούμε" σε κεφάλαια τις ανησυχίες και βιώνουμε τις εξελίξεις της ζωής όλων των ηρώων που περιφέρονται γύρω απο την πρωταγωνίστρια σε τριτοπρόσωπη αφήγηση. Πολύ πρωτότυπο και "ζωντανό" βιβλίο, μου άρεσε πολύ.
July 18, 2017
Ένα αρκετά ανάλαφρο και ρομαντικό μυθιστόρημα που μας ταξιδεύει στην ιστορία της Αυστραλίας και στον πολιτισμό των Αβορίγινων.
Μια νέα κοπέλα, η Τζοάνα ταξιδεύει στην Αυστραλία καθώς πιστεύει οτι μια κατάρα στοιχειώνει αυτή και τν οικογένεια της. Εκεί θα γνωρίσει τον γοητευτικό Χιου και θα τον ακολουθήσει στη φάρμα του καθότι δέχεται την προσφορά του για βοήθεια. Όμως διάφορα άσχημα και παράξενα πράγματα θα αρχίσουν να συμβαίνουν με τον ερχομο της εκεί και η Τζοάνα, όπως και οι Αβορίγινες που την βλέπουν πιστευούν ότι φταίει η κατάρα που την ακολουθεί. Έτσι την ακολουθούμε λοιπόν στην περιπέτεια της στην περίοδο της μεγάλης ανάπτυξης της Αυσταλίας και στα μυστήρια των Αβορίγινων.
Μια νέα κοπέλα, η Τζοάνα ταξιδεύει στην Αυστραλία καθώς πιστεύει οτι μια κατάρα στοιχειώνει αυτή και τν οικογένεια της. Εκεί θα γνωρίσει τον γοητευτικό Χιου και θα τον ακολουθήσει στη φάρμα του καθότι δέχεται την προσφορά του για βοήθεια. Όμως διάφορα άσχημα και παράξενα πράγματα θα αρχίσουν να συμβαίνουν με τον ερχομο της εκεί και η Τζοάνα, όπως και οι Αβορίγινες που την βλέπουν πιστευούν ότι φταίει η κατάρα που την ακολουθεί. Έτσι την ακολουθούμε λοιπόν στην περιπέτεια της στην περίοδο της μεγάλης ανάπτυξης της Αυσταλίας και στα μυστήρια των Αβορίγινων.
April 9, 2017
I wanted to read it because I wanted to know more of history of Australia. Before this novel I have know of this a little from movies and a general knowledge, but I wanted to know more after A Town Like Alice and The Forgotten Sister: Mary Bennet's Pride and Prejudice. In this two books only part of the action takes place in Australia but in was enough for me to make me wanting more. Now I know more. In other words, it was a good lesson about Australia. Furthermore, there are also many other historical facts, from medicine to industrial developments.
This book reminded me also of Far from the Madding Crowd because of the sheep. If you read Hardy's novel you know the atmosphere. Here you will find the same, although sheep breeding isn't a main topic.
I like this book for that I could feel Australian spirit: white settlers and Aborigines. The clash between culture and so on. It was priceless.
The reading was easy, fast. You can take this book to almost any place/surroundings and read it without difficulties with concentration and understanding.
But, yes, I am going to 'but'...
I appreciate the concept of using the Aboriginal idea of The Dreaming, songlines etc and a mystery made the story more engaging but it was too often repeated. Over and over again. It was really too much. I was often bored and I simply skipped these descriptions. The same was with a few other things, a recollection of the first meeting and such other events. I don't say that I like more "raw" books. I like read about emotions, I like when an author is able to make the mood. I don't like to read: "he looks, she looks, and they lived happily ever after". But exaggerated on the other side is also unwelcome. There wasn't melodrama, there were written the same things too often.
Nonetheless, I have enjoyed this story. I would like to read the story of Beth and Judd, and the story of Adam, when they all grow up. So, I am attached to the characters.
In short, if you don't know much about Australia history you will like it but (in my opinion) if you know you will be probably a little bored or disappointed.
This book reminded me also of Far from the Madding Crowd because of the sheep. If you read Hardy's novel you know the atmosphere. Here you will find the same, although sheep breeding isn't a main topic.
I like this book for that I could feel Australian spirit: white settlers and Aborigines. The clash between culture and so on. It was priceless.
The reading was easy, fast. You can take this book to almost any place/surroundings and read it without difficulties with concentration and understanding.
But, yes, I am going to 'but'...
I appreciate the concept of using the Aboriginal idea of The Dreaming, songlines etc and a mystery made the story more engaging but it was too often repeated. Over and over again. It was really too much. I was often bored and I simply skipped these descriptions. The same was with a few other things, a recollection of the first meeting and such other events. I don't say that I like more "raw" books. I like read about emotions, I like when an author is able to make the mood. I don't like to read: "he looks, she looks, and they lived happily ever after". But exaggerated on the other side is also unwelcome. There wasn't melodrama, there were written the same things too often.
Nonetheless, I have enjoyed this story. I would like to read the story of Beth and Judd, and the story of Adam, when they all grow up. So, I am attached to the characters.
In short, if you don't know much about Australia history you will like it but (in my opinion) if you know you will be probably a little bored or disappointed.
July 5, 2016
I have liked most books by Barbara Wood, but this one seemed overly long. It got tiresome hearing over and over about the dog and serpent nightmares. Don't get me wrong, the book is well written, perhaps it just wasn't a book that appealed to me at the moment.
October 6, 2009
As always, I am incredibly impressed with Barbara Wood's extensive research into any subject, country, or race she writes about. This novel offers an in depth look at the early colonial days of Australia and how the people lived. Readers will learn about Aborginal superstitions, the sheep trade, kangaroos, dingos, and early immigration. During this education, there is a love story or two, tragedy among families, and revenge plots. This novel follows Johanna from India to Australia where she marries and has a child and the entire time (and this novel expands many many years) she is having nightmares and feels there is a curse on her. Ok.. this is where it gets four stars instead of five. The "black magic" and the superstitions and the dreams got old halfway thru the book. Lot of repitition and I started to scan over her dreams and all the stuff about snake serpent and rabid dogs. Otherwise, terrific novel.
November 6, 2016
Australia has interested me since I was a kid and any "Australian saga" fascinates me to no end. I devoured this book and absolutely loved it. Though I will say that the ending was rather abrupt and left things hanging, leaving the reader to interpret how things actually turned out (hence 4 stars and not 5). Reminiscent of the Outback series by Aaron Fletcher which I read and thoroughly enjoyed years ago. This type of book just reinforces my desire to experience the Australian Outback in all it's terrible glory.
I liked Joanna Drury and thought her quest was a valid one and I liked that she honored her mother by completing their quest. This novel spans 15-20 years and you really get a good feel for what life was like back then and in Australia. It was also very interesting to learn about the Aborigines.
I liked Joanna Drury and thought her quest was a valid one and I liked that she honored her mother by completing their quest. This novel spans 15-20 years and you really get a good feel for what life was like back then and in Australia. It was also very interesting to learn about the Aborigines.
February 14, 2022
Three and a half stars but bumped up to a four as I never lost interest. It is a saga set in Australia in the last two decades of the 19th century. It is a fictional family drama which conveys quite a bit of the history of early white settlement in the Melbourne area of Australia. Sheep farming is gone into in some detail. Aborigine beliefs and customs hold a large place in the book. I thought it was interesting and worth my time and effort to read. Sometimes it felt like it was too long, other times it felt like people, places and ideas were left unfinished. Still, overall, it was pretty good.
July 13, 2011
Although it has been almost 20 years since I read this book (I read it in college, maybe 1992), it was a favorite of mine for years. The story was mesmerizing and really drew me in. Set in Australia it grew my dream of wanting to visit some day, but most important, the main character. I was endeared to her and it was after reading this Barbara Wood novel that I fell in love with the name Joanna. At the end of the story, I thought the name a beautiful name for an adventurous, courageous and loving girl. That is my Joanna today! :)
September 25, 2013
Ahhhh. Australia. I read The Thorn Birds in middle school and ever since, I have a special lace in my heart reserved for fiction set in Australia. This book has a little bit of romance, some historical fiction, and tons of mystery and adventure. Joanna is looking to solve the mystery of what happened to her grandparents and why her mother felt the family was cursed. It brings in a lot of Aboriginal folklore and I just couldn't put it down.
January 23, 2018
An excellent story of a young woman who travels to Australia to find out about the"curse" that her mother and she have been living with. A finding of oneself.
September 9, 2020
Loved it all except it should have an epilogue to finish the side-story lines.
November 18, 2020
Si le voyage vécu pendant la lecture d' "African Lady" avait mérité un 20/20, avec "Australian Lady" je suis restée à quai... Quelle déception !
1871, Joanna, jeune anglaise, débarque en Australie sur les traces de ses grands-parents disparus sur ce nouveau continent. Sa mère, seule rescapée de l'expédition et âgée de 3 ans, avait été rapatriée par un capitaine de navire puis élevée par une tante. Adulte, souffrant de rêves hallucinatoires et d'un malaise permanent qu'elle pensait liés à cette période d'enfance, elle souhaitait retourner en Australie. Mais décédée prématurément, c'est Joanna sa fille, victime depuis peu des mêmes cauchemars, qui entreprend donc le voyage sur les traces de ses ancêtres.
Ma critique va se résumer à une comparaison entre les deux titres de Barbara Wood. Si le style de l'auteure est toujours au rendez-vous avec un talent évident pour mettre en peinture les décors majestueux du lieu, l'histoire est loin d'être aussi dense, aussi vivante que dans "African Lady". Le roman ne s'étend que sur une quinzaine d'années, on ne peut pas parler de saga familiale. Si j'ai apprécié de découvrir la vie des premiers colons et leur adaptation difficile à ce continent au climat hostile, j'ai beaucoup regretté que la parole ne soit pas donnée au peuple Aborigène dont l'histoire est ainsi amputée. Dans "African Lady", les rôles étaient beaucoup plus équilibrés, colons et colonisés avaient leur mot à dire. J'ai également trouvé que le caractère des principaux protagonistes étaient trop lisses, Joanna dégouline de bonnes intentions et la cohabitation avec les autochtones se passe toujours au mieux. Autre invraisemblance : sa survie pendant plusieurs jours en plein désert...
Cette quête d'une éventuelle malédiction, cette recherche sur le passé de ses ancêtres mettent longtemps à aboutir si bien que le récit traîne en longueur. Les rites et croyances aborigènes entraînent le lecteur dans un monde parallèle qui m'est apparu bien obscure. Cela augmente l'effet de lourdeur indigeste. Bref, j'ai cru ne jamais parvenir au bout de ce voyage auquel je n'accorde qu'un 8/20. Un roman beaucoup plus sentimental qu'historique. Si vous souhaitez ne lire qu'un titre de Barbara Wood, alors optez sans hésiter pour "African Lady".
1871, Joanna, jeune anglaise, débarque en Australie sur les traces de ses grands-parents disparus sur ce nouveau continent. Sa mère, seule rescapée de l'expédition et âgée de 3 ans, avait été rapatriée par un capitaine de navire puis élevée par une tante. Adulte, souffrant de rêves hallucinatoires et d'un malaise permanent qu'elle pensait liés à cette période d'enfance, elle souhaitait retourner en Australie. Mais décédée prématurément, c'est Joanna sa fille, victime depuis peu des mêmes cauchemars, qui entreprend donc le voyage sur les traces de ses ancêtres.
Ma critique va se résumer à une comparaison entre les deux titres de Barbara Wood. Si le style de l'auteure est toujours au rendez-vous avec un talent évident pour mettre en peinture les décors majestueux du lieu, l'histoire est loin d'être aussi dense, aussi vivante que dans "African Lady". Le roman ne s'étend que sur une quinzaine d'années, on ne peut pas parler de saga familiale. Si j'ai apprécié de découvrir la vie des premiers colons et leur adaptation difficile à ce continent au climat hostile, j'ai beaucoup regretté que la parole ne soit pas donnée au peuple Aborigène dont l'histoire est ainsi amputée. Dans "African Lady", les rôles étaient beaucoup plus équilibrés, colons et colonisés avaient leur mot à dire. J'ai également trouvé que le caractère des principaux protagonistes étaient trop lisses, Joanna dégouline de bonnes intentions et la cohabitation avec les autochtones se passe toujours au mieux. Autre invraisemblance : sa survie pendant plusieurs jours en plein désert...
Cette quête d'une éventuelle malédiction, cette recherche sur le passé de ses ancêtres mettent longtemps à aboutir si bien que le récit traîne en longueur. Les rites et croyances aborigènes entraînent le lecteur dans un monde parallèle qui m'est apparu bien obscure. Cela augmente l'effet de lourdeur indigeste. Bref, j'ai cru ne jamais parvenir au bout de ce voyage auquel je n'accorde qu'un 8/20. Un roman beaucoup plus sentimental qu'historique. Si vous souhaitez ne lire qu'un titre de Barbara Wood, alors optez sans hésiter pour "African Lady".
April 28, 2018
Volver a la minuciosa narrativa de Barbara Wood es agradable. El sueño de Joanna narra la increible aventura de creer en maldiciones, legados, destino, canción veneno. Joanna hija de ingleses, nace en la India y a la muerte de su madre se entera de que es heredera de unas tierras y un legado en las lejanas tierras de Australia. Se embarca a buscar esa herencia, lleva en su maleta una ilegble carta de propiedad, una muñeca, un diario de su abuelomescrito en una taquigrafia desconocida, un diario escrito por su madre, un opalo y muchas dudas; pero tambien lleva miedo, sugestión, pesadillas y la clara imagen de una "serpiente arcoiris". Al llegar a Australia conoce a Hug , que le ayuda en esa búsqueda de encontrar la huella que dejaron sus abuelos en esas tierras.
November 10, 2019
Lo habré leído infinidad de ocasiones y siempre lo disfruto, quiero la historia de Beth y Judd ♥️
November 22, 2023
I read this before. Still, its a great story.
February 14, 2022
Po knihách Barbary Wood občas sáhnu, když se potřebuju na pár hodin přenést někam úplně jinam, nic neřešit a jen si užívat příběh. Duhový had mě bohužel bavil o něco méně, než její další knihy, a konec mě přímo naštval. :-D
Dvě a půl hvězdy.
Dvě a půl hvězdy.
March 18, 2025
I read this book while travelling trough Australia- it was perfect to find the past in the present - therefore 5 stars 🤩
September 30, 2018
really odd book
September 8, 2019
I cried. I have never cried reading a book, but yet when the friends and family where all around Hugh, that part had me appreciating the love of family. This book had everything in it except for the kitchen sink. The ending had me searching for more. Let me just say, Pauline, what a great turnabout.
This book was full of information on history from India, England to Australia. There is so much to learn while reading this book. This was a well written book and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s now my favorite book of all the books that I have read thus far.
This book was full of information on history from India, England to Australia. There is so much to learn while reading this book. This was a well written book and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s now my favorite book of all the books that I have read thus far.
February 17, 2016
This novel is set in Australia following the life of a young English girl who was born and raised in India but whose mother/father death when she was 18 years old sends her on a quest to claim some land left to her mother by her grandparents and to try and uncover the mysteries surrounding the 'curse' her mother believes is on their family. I liked it very much. It's a great saga and I loved the descriptions of Australia and the Aboriginis and their culture/beliefs. A good read.
September 11, 2015
I'm not really into spiritual views or anything, but even with that, I loved this book! It was so exciting and interesting and nice-paced, I couldn't even put it down. The characters were real and they were really easy to identify myself with, or see their motivation. I liked that most of their conflicts or inner thought processes was based on basic human life situations and feelings that are present in every age, so I knew what they were going through.
October 25, 2018
Pending our trip to Australia, I picked up this epic book. It is a long read. Story takes you from Melbourne to Western Australia with lots of information on Aboriginal culture. Joanna is searching for her Dreamline or family history and she is tenacious. She faces numerous dead ends and keeps searching. The plot is good, characters well defined, but book is laborious with details.
December 9, 2019
I read this in French and found it very easy to follow. My previous large French book (a 16th century historical novel took me 18 months to read. This one was only 5 weeks as the language was much easier to follow and as it was set in Australia (I'm Australian but living in France) the subject was interesting as well.
August 28, 2019
The Dreaming
I liked this book a lot. I didn't think it was predictable. The characters might have been developed a bit deeper but over you knew them and they fit in the story. I will read more of this authors books
I liked this book a lot. I didn't think it was predictable. The characters might have been developed a bit deeper but over you knew them and they fit in the story. I will read more of this authors books
January 17, 2016
A nice epic story about Australia during nineteenth century. I like chapters of this book about Aborigines and their customs and beliefs.
February 1, 2013
Εκπληκτικό βιβλίο, εκπληκτική Barbara Wood !
Φτάνοντας στην τελευταία σελίδα, ομολογώ πως επέστρεψα στην αρχή και ξεκίνησα να το διαβάζω και δεύτερη φορά.
Φτάνοντας στην τελευταία σελίδα, ομολογώ πως επέστρεψα στην αρχή και ξεκίνησα να το διαβάζω και δεύτερη φορά.
January 14, 2020
Fast moving romance. It's a "can't put it downer". I thoroughly enjoyed it, even if it was a little disjointed and predictable in places.
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