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The Restless Years #3
The Jacaranda House
Bestselling author Deborah Challinor returns with a spellbinding novel about a woman living in Sydney's notorious King's Cross in 1964. Polly Manaia is living in Sydney's notorious Kings Cross, working as an exotic dancer. She's desperate to bring her young daughter to live with her, but beneath her brash confidence lie dark secrets which threaten to drag her under.
Gina is excited to live with her mum again. She's mature for an eleven-year-old, but can this young girl cope with Polly's demons?
Rhoda and Star, transgender performers and Polly's flatmates, bring stability to Polly and Gina's lives. Yet this unlikely little family will find themselves threatened in more ways than one.
The Jacaranda House is a fascinating portrayal of a shifting society and a beautiful portrait of motherhood and identity.
'Australia's answer to Philippa Gregory' Brisbane Times
'A meticulously researched and compellingly readable story injected with heart and humour, From the Ashes is perfect for fans of Fiona McIntosh and Kate Furnivall. A five-star read.' Better Reading
Gina is excited to live with her mum again. She's mature for an eleven-year-old, but can this young girl cope with Polly's demons?
Rhoda and Star, transgender performers and Polly's flatmates, bring stability to Polly and Gina's lives. Yet this unlikely little family will find themselves threatened in more ways than one.
The Jacaranda House is a fascinating portrayal of a shifting society and a beautiful portrait of motherhood and identity.
'Australia's answer to Philippa Gregory' Brisbane Times
'A meticulously researched and compellingly readable story injected with heart and humour, From the Ashes is perfect for fans of Fiona McIntosh and Kate Furnivall. A five-star read.' Better Reading
- GenresHistorical Fiction
464 pages, Paperback
Published August 5, 2020
75 people are currently reading
202 people want to read
About the author
Deborah Challinor
24 books245 followersBorn in Huntly, she holds a PhD in New Zealand history from the University of Waikato. Challinor has worked as a fulltime writer and historian since 2000.
Primarily known for her historical novels, Deborah Challinor’s first published books were non-fiction history books, including the best-selling Grey Ghosts: New Zealand Vietnam Vets Talk About Their War (Hodder Moa Beckett, 1998).
Her first historical novel, Tamar, was published in 2002 and has been reprinted six times. Tamar is set in Auckland, Hawke’s Bay and South Africa and covers the period from 1879 until the Boer War. The series continues with White Feathers (2003) and Blue Smoke (2004).
Union Belle (2005) tells the love story of a young woman caught up in the 1951 waterfront strike, and Kitty (2006) is set in the Bay of Islands in nineteenth century New Zealand. Both novels have been at the top of the New Zealand fiction bestseller list.
Attention to historical detail is an important part of writing for Challinor. ‘I base my novels on actual historical events, and it’s very important to me to research those events in depth and to present them accurately,’ she says.
Reviewing Union Belle in North and South magazine in April 2005, Warwick Roger commented that: ‘You can smell the beer and cigarette smoke in the public bar of the Huntly Hotel, hear the band at the Saturday night dances at the miner’s hall … it’s a book I kept sneaking back to whenever I had a spare quarter hour, eager to advance the story.’
Fire (HarperCollins, 2007), Challinor's seventh novel, is set in Auckland during the hype leading up to the royal visit of 1953, but is based on the Ballantyne’s department store fire of 1947 in Christchurch. A powerful and dramatic story of passion, ambition and greed, it became a number one bestseller.
Amber, the sequel to Kitty, was published later in 2007 and also became a bestseller. Amber opens in New Zealand in 1945, on the eve of the Northern War in the Bay of Islands, in which Kitty is caught up. Sent to Auckland away from the fighting, Kitty encounters an orphaned part-Maori girl she names Amber. Together they return to the Bay of Islands, where both Kitty must risk her own life to save Amber’s.
Isle of Tears (HarperCollins NZ Ltd, 2009) is a story about 14-year-old Scottish immigrant Isla McKinnon and her younger brothers and sister. When they are orphaned they are adopted by Taranaki Maori and become caught up in the wars in Taranaki, the Waikato and the Bay of Plenty.
A revised edition of Challinor’s Grey Ghosts (HarperCollins NZ) was published in 2009. This edition included a new chapter on how the New Zealand Vietnam veteran community has fared since the book was first published in 1998.
Primarily known for her historical novels, Deborah Challinor’s first published books were non-fiction history books, including the best-selling Grey Ghosts: New Zealand Vietnam Vets Talk About Their War (Hodder Moa Beckett, 1998).
Her first historical novel, Tamar, was published in 2002 and has been reprinted six times. Tamar is set in Auckland, Hawke’s Bay and South Africa and covers the period from 1879 until the Boer War. The series continues with White Feathers (2003) and Blue Smoke (2004).
Union Belle (2005) tells the love story of a young woman caught up in the 1951 waterfront strike, and Kitty (2006) is set in the Bay of Islands in nineteenth century New Zealand. Both novels have been at the top of the New Zealand fiction bestseller list.
Attention to historical detail is an important part of writing for Challinor. ‘I base my novels on actual historical events, and it’s very important to me to research those events in depth and to present them accurately,’ she says.
Reviewing Union Belle in North and South magazine in April 2005, Warwick Roger commented that: ‘You can smell the beer and cigarette smoke in the public bar of the Huntly Hotel, hear the band at the Saturday night dances at the miner’s hall … it’s a book I kept sneaking back to whenever I had a spare quarter hour, eager to advance the story.’
Fire (HarperCollins, 2007), Challinor's seventh novel, is set in Auckland during the hype leading up to the royal visit of 1953, but is based on the Ballantyne’s department store fire of 1947 in Christchurch. A powerful and dramatic story of passion, ambition and greed, it became a number one bestseller.
Amber, the sequel to Kitty, was published later in 2007 and also became a bestseller. Amber opens in New Zealand in 1945, on the eve of the Northern War in the Bay of Islands, in which Kitty is caught up. Sent to Auckland away from the fighting, Kitty encounters an orphaned part-Maori girl she names Amber. Together they return to the Bay of Islands, where both Kitty must risk her own life to save Amber’s.
Isle of Tears (HarperCollins NZ Ltd, 2009) is a story about 14-year-old Scottish immigrant Isla McKinnon and her younger brothers and sister. When they are orphaned they are adopted by Taranaki Maori and become caught up in the wars in Taranaki, the Waikato and the Bay of Plenty.
A revised edition of Challinor’s Grey Ghosts (HarperCollins NZ) was published in 2009. This edition included a new chapter on how the New Zealand Vietnam veteran community has fared since the book was first published in 1998.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
June 19, 2022
It was 1964 and Polly Manaia was living in Kings Cross, Sydney where she'd been an exotic dancer for the past eight years. She lived in an apartment with her friends Rhoda and Star, transgender performers who worked at Les Girls, and her good friend Evie was always close. But Polly's demons and her past keep her from being happy - in fact she subconsciously did everything to derail her happiness.
When Polly brought her eleven year old daughter, Gina, back from New Zealand to Sydney, to live with her, it was against her mother's wishes. Polly's mother had been caring for Gina for the past eight years and would have nothing to do with Polly. Gina loved living with Polly, Star and Rhoda, and when Emmaline came into their lives, things improved further. But Polly's torment wouldn't leave her alone...
The Jacaranda House is the 3rd (and I think final) in The Restless Years series by Aussie/NZ author Deborah Challinor and I really enjoyed it. It was hard to read at times, but Gina lightened the load. She was a very mature girl for her age, used to the differences in family - hers in New Zealand was large - and she loved her mother, which was what kept Polly sane. The Jacaranda House is a fantastic, heartbreaking but uplifting read which I recommend.
When Polly brought her eleven year old daughter, Gina, back from New Zealand to Sydney, to live with her, it was against her mother's wishes. Polly's mother had been caring for Gina for the past eight years and would have nothing to do with Polly. Gina loved living with Polly, Star and Rhoda, and when Emmaline came into their lives, things improved further. But Polly's torment wouldn't leave her alone...
The Jacaranda House is the 3rd (and I think final) in The Restless Years series by Aussie/NZ author Deborah Challinor and I really enjoyed it. It was hard to read at times, but Gina lightened the load. She was a very mature girl for her age, used to the differences in family - hers in New Zealand was large - and she loved her mother, which was what kept Polly sane. The Jacaranda House is a fantastic, heartbreaking but uplifting read which I recommend.
August 11, 2020
*https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
The Jacaranda House is the seventeenth release from prolific author Deborah Challinor and it also represents book three in Challinor’s The Restless Years series. This installment in The Relentless Years series takes the reader to the heart of Sydney’s notorious Kings Cross district in the mid-1960s. Within the pages of The Jacaranda House Challinor unveils a tale of parental relationships, motherhood, friendship, identity and survival.
Drawing on a character from a previous issue of The Restless Years series, The Jacaranda House focuses on the life of Polly Manaia. Polly has settled in Sydney’s Kings Cross from New Zealand. Polly makes a living as an exotic dancer and it is an existence marked by big highs and great lows. Polly is determined to retrieve her daughter Gina from the care of grandmother back in New Zealand. However, Polly is aware that her life as it stands is both complicated and unstable, which would make it hard to provide Gina with the home life she deserves. Polly calls on her closest friends, transgender performers Rhoda and Star to help her support Gina. Together, this unlikely quartet develop a close bond and it is clear that they will need each other more than ever when big problems arise.
The Convict Girls series is my only experience of the writing of bestselling author Deborah Challinor. I was really intrigued by the title of this book and as soon as I perused the blurb, I was soon captivated by the setting of The Jacaranda House, which is based in Kings Cross in the 1960s. Although I haven’t read the previous two books in series, I was willing to open my heart to Deborah Challinor’s latest release.
The Jacaranda House is very well written and carefully researched. It is clear that the author is well versed in the social practices of this time period and location. I could not fault Challinor’s dedication to her craft in terms of her recreation of this time frame. I really enjoyed being exposed to the grand stage shows, celebrities, big personalities and the glamour of the Cross. We are even given a thorough overview of the impact of Beatlemania in Australia. This was a time when Sydney’s Kings Cross was at its optimum, it was dazzling . However, the downside of this time and place is explored by Challinor. We see the impact of alcohol, drug abuse, prostitution and the treatment of transgender performers. This seedy side to Sydney’s club scene is explored in detail by the author, with an air of insight, objectivity and sensitivity.
In terms of characters, this is where The Jacaranda House took a fall for me. I appreciated the strong representation of lead Polly, along with her trusted companions Rhoda and Star. Polly’s daughter Gina was rather sweet and I did develop a level of sympathy for her circumstances. However, despite the dose of realism surrounding these characters I felt there was something missing. This may be due to my lack of previous experience with the other issues of the series, or perhaps these very interesting characters were not explored to their full potential. I’m not sure, but it did result in this one becoming quite difficult to read at times.
The Jacaranda House offered a good exploration of familial relationships, secrets and identity. There are personal dramas, problems to overcome, relationships to repair and battles to settle throughout the journey of The Jacaranda House. I did feel some disconnection to areas of this full plotline, which surprised me. I think I would recommend The Jacaranda House to previous readers of The Restless Years series, who may find more value in this read than I did.
*Thanks extended to Harper Collins Books Australia for providing a free copy of this book for review purposes.
The Jacaranda House is the seventeenth release from prolific author Deborah Challinor and it also represents book three in Challinor’s The Restless Years series. This installment in The Relentless Years series takes the reader to the heart of Sydney’s notorious Kings Cross district in the mid-1960s. Within the pages of The Jacaranda House Challinor unveils a tale of parental relationships, motherhood, friendship, identity and survival.
Drawing on a character from a previous issue of The Restless Years series, The Jacaranda House focuses on the life of Polly Manaia. Polly has settled in Sydney’s Kings Cross from New Zealand. Polly makes a living as an exotic dancer and it is an existence marked by big highs and great lows. Polly is determined to retrieve her daughter Gina from the care of grandmother back in New Zealand. However, Polly is aware that her life as it stands is both complicated and unstable, which would make it hard to provide Gina with the home life she deserves. Polly calls on her closest friends, transgender performers Rhoda and Star to help her support Gina. Together, this unlikely quartet develop a close bond and it is clear that they will need each other more than ever when big problems arise.
The Convict Girls series is my only experience of the writing of bestselling author Deborah Challinor. I was really intrigued by the title of this book and as soon as I perused the blurb, I was soon captivated by the setting of The Jacaranda House, which is based in Kings Cross in the 1960s. Although I haven’t read the previous two books in series, I was willing to open my heart to Deborah Challinor’s latest release.
The Jacaranda House is very well written and carefully researched. It is clear that the author is well versed in the social practices of this time period and location. I could not fault Challinor’s dedication to her craft in terms of her recreation of this time frame. I really enjoyed being exposed to the grand stage shows, celebrities, big personalities and the glamour of the Cross. We are even given a thorough overview of the impact of Beatlemania in Australia. This was a time when Sydney’s Kings Cross was at its optimum, it was dazzling . However, the downside of this time and place is explored by Challinor. We see the impact of alcohol, drug abuse, prostitution and the treatment of transgender performers. This seedy side to Sydney’s club scene is explored in detail by the author, with an air of insight, objectivity and sensitivity.
In terms of characters, this is where The Jacaranda House took a fall for me. I appreciated the strong representation of lead Polly, along with her trusted companions Rhoda and Star. Polly’s daughter Gina was rather sweet and I did develop a level of sympathy for her circumstances. However, despite the dose of realism surrounding these characters I felt there was something missing. This may be due to my lack of previous experience with the other issues of the series, or perhaps these very interesting characters were not explored to their full potential. I’m not sure, but it did result in this one becoming quite difficult to read at times.
The Jacaranda House offered a good exploration of familial relationships, secrets and identity. There are personal dramas, problems to overcome, relationships to repair and battles to settle throughout the journey of The Jacaranda House. I did feel some disconnection to areas of this full plotline, which surprised me. I think I would recommend The Jacaranda House to previous readers of The Restless Years series, who may find more value in this read than I did.
*Thanks extended to Harper Collins Books Australia for providing a free copy of this book for review purposes.
October 25, 2025
This is the third installment of The Restless Years by New Zealand author and historian Deborah Challinor. It is set in King’s Cross, Sydney, in the 1960s.
Polly Manaia is an exotic dancer who has left her home in New Zealand, and a troubled relationship with her mother, to work in a strip club in the Cross. She shares a home with her close and caring friends Rhoda and Star, two transgender performers who do a drag queen act at Les Girls. Polly’s life is fuelled by alcohol, uppers and downers. Her deepest heartache is her separation from her 11 year-old daughter Gina, who is being raised by her grandmother in New Zealand. Eventually Polly makes a fairly rash plan to spirit Gina away to a Beatles’ concert and hope that she wishes to remain in Sydney with Polly and the girls afterwards.
Gina is a generous, unspoilt and very mature 11 year old, and I found myself hoping that Polly would manage to turn her life around for Gina’s sake. Most of the book felt like watching a train-wreck though, as Polly lurched from one drug-fuelled, ill-advised decision to another. Her saving grace was probably the constant care of her friends Rhoda and Star.
I enjoyed the gritty portrayal of the seedy side of King’s Cross and the historical research that has obviously gone into this book. The unrelenting disaster of Polly’s life made for tough reading though. In terms of the characters and relationships, even though there were big issues raised, there was a depth or element of realism missing somehow. Again I don’t think this is one of Challinor’s better reads. 3.5 stars for me.
Polly Manaia is an exotic dancer who has left her home in New Zealand, and a troubled relationship with her mother, to work in a strip club in the Cross. She shares a home with her close and caring friends Rhoda and Star, two transgender performers who do a drag queen act at Les Girls. Polly’s life is fuelled by alcohol, uppers and downers. Her deepest heartache is her separation from her 11 year-old daughter Gina, who is being raised by her grandmother in New Zealand. Eventually Polly makes a fairly rash plan to spirit Gina away to a Beatles’ concert and hope that she wishes to remain in Sydney with Polly and the girls afterwards.
Gina is a generous, unspoilt and very mature 11 year old, and I found myself hoping that Polly would manage to turn her life around for Gina’s sake. Most of the book felt like watching a train-wreck though, as Polly lurched from one drug-fuelled, ill-advised decision to another. Her saving grace was probably the constant care of her friends Rhoda and Star.
I enjoyed the gritty portrayal of the seedy side of King’s Cross and the historical research that has obviously gone into this book. The unrelenting disaster of Polly’s life made for tough reading though. In terms of the characters and relationships, even though there were big issues raised, there was a depth or element of realism missing somehow. Again I don’t think this is one of Challinor’s better reads. 3.5 stars for me.
June 16, 2021
If I had been told this was the first book from one of my favourite authors, I would have believed you. Lots of telling, like a teenager’s diary. But I began to think it was reflecting Polly’s self-centred behaviour and naivety. Polly thinks she has control over her life without considering the consequences and inevitable upset to her estranged family in New Zealand. It doesn’t help that in their eyes Polly is a ‘working girl’ in Kings Cross, the steamy side of Sydney. Polly wants to bring her young daughter Gina to Australia to live with her so makes an ill-considered return visit to NZ.
What follows indicates Polly’s state of mind. Kidnap or not? Polly offers her daughter a new life and a Beatles concert in Brisbane in June 1964. This nicely indicates the timeframe, music and clothes. Polly’s bitter mother and kind brother Sonny are left to sort out the aftermath. But for Polly everything looks rosy for a while. She is a good mother (although she has self-doubts about buying her daughter’s affections) and Gina enjoys Sydney, settling in and getting on well with Polly’s flatmates and the Mrs Doubtfire-like babysitter.
Gradually things go awry for Polly, physically and financially, and muddled emotions follow on. There are many more characters moving through the narrative, some stereotype like the nightclub owner, some not. Flatmates Rhoda and Star are icing on the cake, world-weary nightclub dancers, they are not too flamboyant and bring nice diversions into the conversation. But what about secret conflict? A plot meanders through the story with various pitfalls, including heavy drug use, but I can’t tell you too much. You may work it out before the final denouement.
What follows indicates Polly’s state of mind. Kidnap or not? Polly offers her daughter a new life and a Beatles concert in Brisbane in June 1964. This nicely indicates the timeframe, music and clothes. Polly’s bitter mother and kind brother Sonny are left to sort out the aftermath. But for Polly everything looks rosy for a while. She is a good mother (although she has self-doubts about buying her daughter’s affections) and Gina enjoys Sydney, settling in and getting on well with Polly’s flatmates and the Mrs Doubtfire-like babysitter.
Gradually things go awry for Polly, physically and financially, and muddled emotions follow on. There are many more characters moving through the narrative, some stereotype like the nightclub owner, some not. Flatmates Rhoda and Star are icing on the cake, world-weary nightclub dancers, they are not too flamboyant and bring nice diversions into the conversation. But what about secret conflict? A plot meanders through the story with various pitfalls, including heavy drug use, but I can’t tell you too much. You may work it out before the final denouement.
March 29, 2025
I love a book set in/about New Zealanders!! Add in themes of breaking generational curses & strong friendships and you’ve got me hooked!! So good!
May 2, 2020
I really do dislike writing a negative-ish review, because I know how much effort, research, love, time and heartache goes into writing and publishing a book, but for me, this is definitely not Deborah Challinor's best work. It feels rushed, at times glib, stereotyped in its characters and not all together believable, too many themes, and worst of all predictable. Which is a shame because the issues she tackles are important, the story line is believable and has probably happened, and a couple of the characters are superb.
We are in Kings Cross, Sydney in the 1960s - what a complete den of iniquity this slice of Sydney was back then. I really liked the descriptions of the Cross - it's depravity, seediness, the larger than life characters many based on real people, the dirt and grittiness of it all. Polly Manaia, who featured in an earlier novel of Challinor's, had fled Auckland some years previously, leaving her now 11 year old daughter in the care her mother with whom she has a shocking relationship, the reasons for which are revealed towards the end of the book. She is working as an exotic dancer in a strip club, has been for some time, managing her existence with alcohol, uppers and downers. She lives with two transgender performers stalwarts of that Cross institution Les Girls, Rhoda and Star who are the stand out characters in this story. Rhoda and Star both have their own sad back stories, which are lightly touched upon, and I would so like to have known more about them. Actually this was the greatest fault of the book - so much briefly alluded to, so many interesting characters and back stories, that would have made the whole book so much more worthwhile and profound to read.
Polly decides she wants to bring her daughter Gina to live with her. The process she goes through to achieve this I found almost ridiculous - a myriad of plane journeys, subterfuge and deception back in Auckland involving her long suffering brother, a Beatles concert, deceiving her daughter and mother, all the time under the influence of her drug regimen. I also could not really marry her job as an exotic dancer living in a tiny and grim flat with all the accumulated savings she had to finance her trip and setting Gina up in Sydney with her. I digress.
Gina is a delight, a breath of beautiful fresh air into the flat the three of them live in. Are all 11 year olds so capable, so forgiving, so unscarred by her circumstances of life, so articulate, so perfect - I doubt it. But she is still a lovely character, Actually the fact that Polly is able to function at all is due entirely to her living with Rhoda and Star, and her best friend who is a prostitute - again I couldn't get how a woman with so many brains, common sense and dare I say it what looks like good self esteem, was working as prostitute when she clearly has the potential to be so much more.
Bad sad things happen before the good starts to happen, and there are some crazy scenes too. A visit to a psychic who was a real person in the Cross at this time was just plain ridiculous, and the visit by Polly's mother was almost comedic, again with little depth and perception for the character and her role in the story. This book could have been so much more than it is, but I did love reading about Kings Cross in the1960s.
We are in Kings Cross, Sydney in the 1960s - what a complete den of iniquity this slice of Sydney was back then. I really liked the descriptions of the Cross - it's depravity, seediness, the larger than life characters many based on real people, the dirt and grittiness of it all. Polly Manaia, who featured in an earlier novel of Challinor's, had fled Auckland some years previously, leaving her now 11 year old daughter in the care her mother with whom she has a shocking relationship, the reasons for which are revealed towards the end of the book. She is working as an exotic dancer in a strip club, has been for some time, managing her existence with alcohol, uppers and downers. She lives with two transgender performers stalwarts of that Cross institution Les Girls, Rhoda and Star who are the stand out characters in this story. Rhoda and Star both have their own sad back stories, which are lightly touched upon, and I would so like to have known more about them. Actually this was the greatest fault of the book - so much briefly alluded to, so many interesting characters and back stories, that would have made the whole book so much more worthwhile and profound to read.
Polly decides she wants to bring her daughter Gina to live with her. The process she goes through to achieve this I found almost ridiculous - a myriad of plane journeys, subterfuge and deception back in Auckland involving her long suffering brother, a Beatles concert, deceiving her daughter and mother, all the time under the influence of her drug regimen. I also could not really marry her job as an exotic dancer living in a tiny and grim flat with all the accumulated savings she had to finance her trip and setting Gina up in Sydney with her. I digress.
Gina is a delight, a breath of beautiful fresh air into the flat the three of them live in. Are all 11 year olds so capable, so forgiving, so unscarred by her circumstances of life, so articulate, so perfect - I doubt it. But she is still a lovely character, Actually the fact that Polly is able to function at all is due entirely to her living with Rhoda and Star, and her best friend who is a prostitute - again I couldn't get how a woman with so many brains, common sense and dare I say it what looks like good self esteem, was working as prostitute when she clearly has the potential to be so much more.
Bad sad things happen before the good starts to happen, and there are some crazy scenes too. A visit to a psychic who was a real person in the Cross at this time was just plain ridiculous, and the visit by Polly's mother was almost comedic, again with little depth and perception for the character and her role in the story. This book could have been so much more than it is, but I did love reading about Kings Cross in the1960s.
March 21, 2022
When I first started into the book I was concerned that I was going to be mired in the messiness of gritty human emotion that seems to be so popular in Australian and NZ fiction. Sometimes the slice of life from broken, flawed and utterly human people just leaves me feeling a little overwhelmed and hopeless, but there is enough lightness and sassy humour in this story that it buoyed the story along and I felt invested in the characters. When I was first introduced to the child character it felt like she was written too young and naïve for her age, but her humanity was fleshed out and over time she became more of an invested character and less of a place holder.
The story deals with some really hard topics, like self-loathing, self-abuse, drug addiction, sexual exploitation, hypervigilant defensiveness, alcoholism, family violence, and the dislocation of identity caused by broken families, and patched up by adoptive ones.
This title was (digitally) shelved as Historical Fiction and it's taken me a little while to reconcile that with my personal experience. Having been born about a decade after the book was set, it contained a weird mix of personal nostalgia and historical references, that blurred the line for me, between retro, and History. My kids would laugh at the idea that we had to wait ages for camera film to be processed, that regular New Zealanders had never heard of any of the types of coffee or food we now consider "normal". Even the practice of making your own clothes, and the types of fabric used are fairly prominent in the story.
This book revels in history. The voice of an "ex school teacher" fleshes out some of the Colonial History and the differences between the the origins of the countries of New Zealand and Australia, and hints at the intergenerational trauma caused. The casual racism of 60 years ago, is still cringingly familiar to our modern day.
There are so many things that remind us we are in the past, especially as this is pre-decimal currency. Beatle-mania is strong, everyone smokes cigarettes (indoors!) and the threat of some distant war in Vietnam is boiling in the background. Comparing attitudes to queer identities, and sexuality, and access to supports for Trans-gender people, with attitudes now, is a picture of how far we have come in our ideas about human rights, and also a sad reminder that we really do have a LONG way to go yet.
Most of the pronunciation of Māori words (by Rachel King) is not, utterly vile. Some of it is even accurate. All in all I think it's a good performance and it didn't worry me.
Listened to this one as an MP3 download through BorrowBox and Goodreads won't allow me to correct the details associated with the ISBN :P
The story deals with some really hard topics, like self-loathing, self-abuse, drug addiction, sexual exploitation, hypervigilant defensiveness, alcoholism, family violence, and the dislocation of identity caused by broken families, and patched up by adoptive ones.
This title was (digitally) shelved as Historical Fiction and it's taken me a little while to reconcile that with my personal experience. Having been born about a decade after the book was set, it contained a weird mix of personal nostalgia and historical references, that blurred the line for me, between retro, and History. My kids would laugh at the idea that we had to wait ages for camera film to be processed, that regular New Zealanders had never heard of any of the types of coffee or food we now consider "normal". Even the practice of making your own clothes, and the types of fabric used are fairly prominent in the story.
This book revels in history. The voice of an "ex school teacher" fleshes out some of the Colonial History and the differences between the the origins of the countries of New Zealand and Australia, and hints at the intergenerational trauma caused. The casual racism of 60 years ago, is still cringingly familiar to our modern day.
There are so many things that remind us we are in the past, especially as this is pre-decimal currency. Beatle-mania is strong, everyone smokes cigarettes (indoors!) and the threat of some distant war in Vietnam is boiling in the background. Comparing attitudes to queer identities, and sexuality, and access to supports for Trans-gender people, with attitudes now, is a picture of how far we have come in our ideas about human rights, and also a sad reminder that we really do have a LONG way to go yet.
Most of the pronunciation of Māori words (by Rachel King) is not, utterly vile. Some of it is even accurate. All in all I think it's a good performance and it didn't worry me.
Listened to this one as an MP3 download through BorrowBox and Goodreads won't allow me to correct the details associated with the ISBN :P
August 20, 2020
Absolutely fantastic. I love the depth that Deborah Challinor gives to her characters. I also love how well she mixes humour with heaviness.
August 24, 2020
Just loved this book engrossed from page one didn't want it to end thanks deborah challinor for another great read
October 21, 2020
I read Challinor's books because I like to read NZ authors and support them. You can rely on Challinor to dig deep into NZ history and facts and put a lot into her stories, as with previous books, I get bogged down with so much detail, that it takes the natural flow from the reader.
A great follow on in the series.
A great follow on in the series.
May 15, 2021
An easy read. I enjoyed the Australian and NZ connection of this book set in familiar tines of growing up in NZ. A tragic story about the lasting effects of childhood abuse.
December 9, 2025
Didn’t enjoy as much as the first two in the series! Was dragging in the middle. The facts stated at the back of the book was helpful.
January 28, 2021
Set in 1960s Sydney, King's Cross, the birthplace of annual Sydney Mardi Gras Parade, The Jacaranda House is a story about motherhood. The theme touches upon each character delicately and is intricately spun to tell an entertaining story. Polly Manaia, an exotic dancer at one of the clubs at King's cross, is desperate to live with her daughter, Gina again. Having separated from her at a young age because of the nature of her occupation and because of her conflict with her mother, Awhi, Polly longs for her some familiar affection. The same goes for her flatmates, Rhoda and Star. The two transgender drag performers, long for love in the midst of their chaotic and busy lives. As Gina enters their lives, they realise how much of an uncivilized life they had been living. As each strive to find their new purpose, Polly is dragged down by her old demons and is engulfed by her vices.
While Polly technically has given birth to Gina, she is incapable of taking care of her. Rhoda and Star, on the other hand, become more of a mother to Gina than Polly ever was. So, a subtle question arises - Is one truly a mother just because they gave birth to one? Awhi is portrayed as this traditional example of a mother who makes sure her kids are properly fed, clothed and sheltered. However, she never realises that there is more to motherhood than that. She fails to protect her children during her marriage to a strict disciplinarian and doesn't realize her wrongs even when it ends. As Emmeline says - "If you'd been bullied, beaten and dictated by a martinet for decades who has suddenly conveniently died, you might find yourself over-stretching your wings and struggling to find an appropriate balance yourself. Sometimes people don't know how to behave after they've been conditioned in a certain manner." Although Awhi failed and is flawed, she is still a mother and she loves her children dearly. This made the characterization seem realistic, in my opinion. Polly is another flawed character who makes a ton of mistakes, which may make the reader find it hard to sympathize with her. But mental health is such a sensitive subject. One cannot always sympathize with someone who is mentally ill, because it is hard work.
I really enjoyed reading about Rhoda and Star, their experiences and point of views. The number of times they had to decline going somewhere because they were afraid they might be beaten up for being trans, really broke my heart. It showed their plight in everyday society, especially in those times, although not much is different even now.
The author also touches upon stereotypes, which I personally think was beautifully done. While some transgender folks struggle to keep afloat, because of their social determinants, they are forced to steal, cheat and betray others to survive. But it is not always the case. There are also those who are honest, decent and live a respectable life. Similarly, while some Indigenous people may be violent and alcoholic, exceptions are never the rule. One shouldn't use those exceptions as examples to defame communities.
Something I wish the author could have done is give Awhi a whole chapter to explain her point of view and further her character development. Because in the end, her development felt too sudden and rushed. Other than that, the imagery in the book was vivid and beautiful, the writing was fluid, the style formal and content concise. The plot was moderately paced, although a bit unoriginal. It was not as impactful as I thought it would be but I believe Deborah is a great storyteller and I recommend it to people who love domestic fiction.
While Polly technically has given birth to Gina, she is incapable of taking care of her. Rhoda and Star, on the other hand, become more of a mother to Gina than Polly ever was. So, a subtle question arises - Is one truly a mother just because they gave birth to one? Awhi is portrayed as this traditional example of a mother who makes sure her kids are properly fed, clothed and sheltered. However, she never realises that there is more to motherhood than that. She fails to protect her children during her marriage to a strict disciplinarian and doesn't realize her wrongs even when it ends. As Emmeline says - "If you'd been bullied, beaten and dictated by a martinet for decades who has suddenly conveniently died, you might find yourself over-stretching your wings and struggling to find an appropriate balance yourself. Sometimes people don't know how to behave after they've been conditioned in a certain manner." Although Awhi failed and is flawed, she is still a mother and she loves her children dearly. This made the characterization seem realistic, in my opinion. Polly is another flawed character who makes a ton of mistakes, which may make the reader find it hard to sympathize with her. But mental health is such a sensitive subject. One cannot always sympathize with someone who is mentally ill, because it is hard work.
I really enjoyed reading about Rhoda and Star, their experiences and point of views. The number of times they had to decline going somewhere because they were afraid they might be beaten up for being trans, really broke my heart. It showed their plight in everyday society, especially in those times, although not much is different even now.
The author also touches upon stereotypes, which I personally think was beautifully done. While some transgender folks struggle to keep afloat, because of their social determinants, they are forced to steal, cheat and betray others to survive. But it is not always the case. There are also those who are honest, decent and live a respectable life. Similarly, while some Indigenous people may be violent and alcoholic, exceptions are never the rule. One shouldn't use those exceptions as examples to defame communities.
Something I wish the author could have done is give Awhi a whole chapter to explain her point of view and further her character development. Because in the end, her development felt too sudden and rushed. Other than that, the imagery in the book was vivid and beautiful, the writing was fluid, the style formal and content concise. The plot was moderately paced, although a bit unoriginal. It was not as impactful as I thought it would be but I believe Deborah is a great storyteller and I recommend it to people who love domestic fiction.
October 22, 2021
I don’t think I would have read this book if the synopsis had said it was about a stripper and drug use and the seedier side of Kings Cross instead of saying it was about an exotic dancer in the excitement and glamour of 60s King Cross and was a beautiful portrait of motherhood and identity.
It was somewhat predictable and the final outcome was a bit too easily railroaded into a happy ending. I know, I like happy endings, but reconciliations, and disappearing drug dependency and financial problems seemed a little unrealistic.
Character development was underdone in my opinion. The main character was troubled and haunted and self-centred, but everyone loved her because she was a lovely caring person? The daughter was both too old for the way she was treated as a young child and too young for her insightful reasoning. The transsexual flat mates were too much stereotypical ditzes and had no common sense or intelligence.
Otherwise, it was a reasonable story. Probably worth the read, but I wouldn’t go out of my way to recommend it as an historical novel.
It was somewhat predictable and the final outcome was a bit too easily railroaded into a happy ending. I know, I like happy endings, but reconciliations, and disappearing drug dependency and financial problems seemed a little unrealistic.
Character development was underdone in my opinion. The main character was troubled and haunted and self-centred, but everyone loved her because she was a lovely caring person? The daughter was both too old for the way she was treated as a young child and too young for her insightful reasoning. The transsexual flat mates were too much stereotypical ditzes and had no common sense or intelligence.
Otherwise, it was a reasonable story. Probably worth the read, but I wouldn’t go out of my way to recommend it as an historical novel.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 24, 2022
Mothers,daughters,dark secrets and the healing power of love.
1964: Polly Manaia is living in Sydney's notorious Kings Cross, working as an exotic dancer. She's desperate to bring her young daughter to live with her, but beneath her brash confidence lie dark secrets which threaten to drag her under.
Gina is excited to live with her mum again. She's mature for an eleven-year-old, but can this young girl cope with Polly's demons?
Rhoda and Star, transgender performers and Polly's flatmates, bring stability to Polly and Gina's lives. Yet this unlikely little family will find themselves threatened in more ways than one.
Since the 1940s,Kings Cross has developed an almost mystical reputation as the centre of Sydney's seedy red-light district,attracting thrill seekers,party-goers and the down-and-out equally.However,Kings Cross takes up a smaller portion of Sydney,for much of what is referred to as the Cross is in fact part of its neighbours-Potts Point,Darlinghurst and Elizabeth Bay,especially the intersection of Victoria and Darlinghurst roads at the top of William Street.
In 1963,poet Kenneth Slessor noted that people who 'go to the Cross' or 'live at the Cross' are expressing a state of mind.From the very start the Cross was shrouded in controversy,power and politics.The Cross is sleaze mixed with sophistication and sensation.
The rising number of flats and the associated rise in population also changed the commercial sector.From the 1920s-1940s,Kings Cross was a very modern place,streaking ahead of the rest of Sydney,not just physically but also in its food and entertainment options,its gaudy neon advertising signs and its increasingly liberal attitude to life and living.The real and imagined goings on at the Cross-criminal,artistic,political or culinary-attracted suburbanites and tourists.As a place of refuge or escape,Kings Cross attracted many who suffered in its streets from violence,homelessness and addiction.In response,a number of organisations sprang up to save the Cross,most notably Wayside Chapel,founded by Ted Noffs.
1964: Polly Manaia is living in Sydney's notorious Kings Cross, working as an exotic dancer. She's desperate to bring her young daughter to live with her, but beneath her brash confidence lie dark secrets which threaten to drag her under.
Gina is excited to live with her mum again. She's mature for an eleven-year-old, but can this young girl cope with Polly's demons?
Rhoda and Star, transgender performers and Polly's flatmates, bring stability to Polly and Gina's lives. Yet this unlikely little family will find themselves threatened in more ways than one.
Since the 1940s,Kings Cross has developed an almost mystical reputation as the centre of Sydney's seedy red-light district,attracting thrill seekers,party-goers and the down-and-out equally.However,Kings Cross takes up a smaller portion of Sydney,for much of what is referred to as the Cross is in fact part of its neighbours-Potts Point,Darlinghurst and Elizabeth Bay,especially the intersection of Victoria and Darlinghurst roads at the top of William Street.
In 1963,poet Kenneth Slessor noted that people who 'go to the Cross' or 'live at the Cross' are expressing a state of mind.From the very start the Cross was shrouded in controversy,power and politics.The Cross is sleaze mixed with sophistication and sensation.
The rising number of flats and the associated rise in population also changed the commercial sector.From the 1920s-1940s,Kings Cross was a very modern place,streaking ahead of the rest of Sydney,not just physically but also in its food and entertainment options,its gaudy neon advertising signs and its increasingly liberal attitude to life and living.The real and imagined goings on at the Cross-criminal,artistic,political or culinary-attracted suburbanites and tourists.As a place of refuge or escape,Kings Cross attracted many who suffered in its streets from violence,homelessness and addiction.In response,a number of organisations sprang up to save the Cross,most notably Wayside Chapel,founded by Ted Noffs.
October 21, 2020
Polly, an expat from New Zealand is living the best life she can in Sydney’s Kings Cross in the 1960’s. Polly is beautiful, street wise, confident, but carries with her a troubled past.
Throw into this, 2 beautiful ladies who live with her, and work as part of the Les Girls show with the infamous Carlotta.
This story is colourful in its characters, vibrant as the neon that adorns the strip in Kings Cross, and contrasts dramatically to the dark of the back ally’s of Kings Cross where seedy drug deals and bashing’s occur regularly.
Polly is a mother to 11 year old Gina, and desperately wants to have her daughter with her in Sydney. But to do so, she needs to keep on the straight and narrow, a path Polly has always struggled to keep.
Throw into this family history, strained relationships, abuse, drugs and a mother and daughter who never saw eye to eye. This book builds and builds, you can feel the bubbling of something about to happen in the background as snippets of a life lived by Polly start to surface. The undoing comes after heroin becomes her choice of recreational drug use, and she is spiralling out of control.
There are some wonderful characters in this book, and Challinor has given them all such a presence and place in this book. My favourite is Emmeline Carver, a descendant of one of her girls from her previously written Convict Girls series, a great read if you are looking to explore Challinor’s other works. I really thought this was a lovely touch to the story.
I must admit I suspected the catalyst and subsequent behaviour for all of Polly’s life choices and battles. But as a reader I felt the empathy and understanding she gave to the situation whilst exploring the reactions and interactions of the characters.
I really enjoyed this book, another great read from Challinor.
Throw into this, 2 beautiful ladies who live with her, and work as part of the Les Girls show with the infamous Carlotta.
This story is colourful in its characters, vibrant as the neon that adorns the strip in Kings Cross, and contrasts dramatically to the dark of the back ally’s of Kings Cross where seedy drug deals and bashing’s occur regularly.
Polly is a mother to 11 year old Gina, and desperately wants to have her daughter with her in Sydney. But to do so, she needs to keep on the straight and narrow, a path Polly has always struggled to keep.
Throw into this family history, strained relationships, abuse, drugs and a mother and daughter who never saw eye to eye. This book builds and builds, you can feel the bubbling of something about to happen in the background as snippets of a life lived by Polly start to surface. The undoing comes after heroin becomes her choice of recreational drug use, and she is spiralling out of control.
There are some wonderful characters in this book, and Challinor has given them all such a presence and place in this book. My favourite is Emmeline Carver, a descendant of one of her girls from her previously written Convict Girls series, a great read if you are looking to explore Challinor’s other works. I really thought this was a lovely touch to the story.
I must admit I suspected the catalyst and subsequent behaviour for all of Polly’s life choices and battles. But as a reader I felt the empathy and understanding she gave to the situation whilst exploring the reactions and interactions of the characters.
I really enjoyed this book, another great read from Challinor.
December 18, 2020
Set in 1964 in Kings Cross, Sydney, Polly Manaia is working as an exotic dancer in a seedy club. She comes from a large family, but they are all back in New Zealand. But she’s created a life for herself, a small family of sorts with her two transgender flatmates Rhonda and Star – flamboyant people with hearts of gold. Polly’s daughter Gina has been living with her grandmother back in New Zealand since she was a toddler, but now Gina is eleven, Polly decides the time is right to bring her over to Australia to live with her.
But Polly’s lifestyle isn’t a conventional one, and Polly has been struggling with alcohol and drug addictions for some time.
All the characters shine, you really care for them, and it ends up being a beautiful portrait of love and family.
As someone who lived in Kings Cross in the early 2000s I found #deborahchallinor to have hit the mark on what it's really like to live there!
But Polly’s lifestyle isn’t a conventional one, and Polly has been struggling with alcohol and drug addictions for some time.
All the characters shine, you really care for them, and it ends up being a beautiful portrait of love and family.
As someone who lived in Kings Cross in the early 2000s I found #deborahchallinor to have hit the mark on what it's really like to live there!
February 17, 2024
Book 5: The Jacaranda House
Wow, this book was an epic, heart-warming and very readable modern day classic. Excellent characterisation - well-rounded and beautifully imperfect and flawed characters, vivid scene descriptions and fabulous laugh-out-loud dialogue.
This story has it all: a deep family saga, grumpy and issues-riddled protagonists, wonderful roommates, sweet men (Dave and Sonny), broken families, Kings Cross grit and Maori infusions. Food features heavily too - a universal language of community!
I fell in love with this book - I enjoyed spending time with it, listening to the excellent narration and felt grateful for the terrifying insights into drug addition.
A great read. Yes, it’s a sad story but it’s packed with friendship, humour, sub stories and hope.
10/10
#bookreview #thejacarandahouse #deborahchallinor #maori #kiwistory
Wow, this book was an epic, heart-warming and very readable modern day classic. Excellent characterisation - well-rounded and beautifully imperfect and flawed characters, vivid scene descriptions and fabulous laugh-out-loud dialogue.
This story has it all: a deep family saga, grumpy and issues-riddled protagonists, wonderful roommates, sweet men (Dave and Sonny), broken families, Kings Cross grit and Maori infusions. Food features heavily too - a universal language of community!
I fell in love with this book - I enjoyed spending time with it, listening to the excellent narration and felt grateful for the terrifying insights into drug addition.
A great read. Yes, it’s a sad story but it’s packed with friendship, humour, sub stories and hope.
10/10
#bookreview #thejacarandahouse #deborahchallinor #maori #kiwistory
October 12, 2020
🌳🌳The Jacaranda House by Deborah Challinor🌳🌳
I have previously read the “Smugglers’ Wife” series by this author which I thoroughly enjoyed, so when I saw this book, I downloaded it in a heartbeat. I hadn’t read the synopsis, so when I realised it was set in the 60’s in Kings Cross and delved into drug abuse and prostitution, I wasn’t sure it was going to be my cup of tea. Thankfully I kept with it, as I ended up really enjoyed the story.
Polly is a New Zealander, living in the Cross having escaped her family and her past. Polly leads a colourful life, working in a strip club, dabbling in drugs, and living with her transgender flat mates, Roda and Star. This is a story of friendship, embracing differences, and unconditional love.
I have previously read the “Smugglers’ Wife” series by this author which I thoroughly enjoyed, so when I saw this book, I downloaded it in a heartbeat. I hadn’t read the synopsis, so when I realised it was set in the 60’s in Kings Cross and delved into drug abuse and prostitution, I wasn’t sure it was going to be my cup of tea. Thankfully I kept with it, as I ended up really enjoyed the story.
Polly is a New Zealander, living in the Cross having escaped her family and her past. Polly leads a colourful life, working in a strip club, dabbling in drugs, and living with her transgender flat mates, Roda and Star. This is a story of friendship, embracing differences, and unconditional love.
December 5, 2020
Once again Deborah Challinor writes a beautiful story that ties together family, history and heartbreak.
I have been waiting for this book to be published for a year, and I was so happy to finally read it.
The story follows Polly, 8 years after the previous novel in the series. She is living in Sydney and desperately missing her daughter.
Somehow, Polly makes more mistakes than before. She is a substance abuser, she takes her child away from her guardian, and she agrees to be a drug dealer. Yet she means well. She wants to be a good mother.
We are reintroduced to characters from the previous book, such as Terry, Evie, Sonny and Allie, as well as memorable new ones like Rhoda and Star.
A really great book that tackles difficult and complex issues. I enjoyed this book so much!
I have been waiting for this book to be published for a year, and I was so happy to finally read it.
The story follows Polly, 8 years after the previous novel in the series. She is living in Sydney and desperately missing her daughter.
Somehow, Polly makes more mistakes than before. She is a substance abuser, she takes her child away from her guardian, and she agrees to be a drug dealer. Yet she means well. She wants to be a good mother.
We are reintroduced to characters from the previous book, such as Terry, Evie, Sonny and Allie, as well as memorable new ones like Rhoda and Star.
A really great book that tackles difficult and complex issues. I enjoyed this book so much!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 12, 2020
As the third book in the series, I was very much looking forward to reading about all the characters that I'd grown to love. However, and very disappointingly, this book focusses on one character. It occasionally glances and reveals little tidbits about how the other families are getting on but for the most part ignores them. The last book ended on such an interesting note, with Pauline bringing her baby home. I was excited to read about what happened to her and her boy. I sincerely hope that the next book doesn't do the same.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 18, 2022
Wow! I really enjoyed all 3 books in this series, but this book was definitely my #1 favourite! I enjoyed googling the people & places in the book and reading about the real life characters who made Kings Cross what it was.
Despite living just 10 mins from there, I have not been through there in over 15 years and I am sure it's nothing like the (what appeared to be) cool place it was when my parents used to take me there in the 1980's & 90's.
Thank you for the really cool book Deborah Challinor xx
Despite living just 10 mins from there, I have not been through there in over 15 years and I am sure it's nothing like the (what appeared to be) cool place it was when my parents used to take me there in the 1980's & 90's.
Thank you for the really cool book Deborah Challinor xx
October 6, 2020
As a Sydneysider, I enjoyed the recreation of Kings Cross in the 1960s. Some aspects of Polly's life were sadly too believable, but having enough money to catch taxies everywhere and flying to and from New Zealand were just not. The story couldn't quite decide whether it was a feel good version about love and families of various types overcoming adversity or trying to show the gritty, realistic side of life in the Cross. The fairy godmother solving problems was too easy.
August 11, 2023
Very plausible story overall. I have mentally nitpicked about a few tiny details I dont think fit the era. But it was otherwise a satisfying read emotionally and the characters felt like real people, speaking with authentic voices, who reflected the mix in Kings Cross. I especially liked the daughter, her innocence and simplicity in accepting new situations. She is in that mysterious short space that is somehow between childhood and teenage knowing.
September 9, 2022
Loved this book the 3rd in the series The Restless Years I was a teenager in this era it was so familiar with NZ and Australian culture and bought back many memories none of the characters were perfect except perhaps Gina I didn't want it to end her next book in this series will probably only have a small part for Polly and Gina hopefully tie up some loose ends
April 7, 2023
Interesting story, though the plot didn't broaden. I do like the interrogation into the complications of mother daughter relationships, however the character of her daughter lacked depth. Quite an unfortunate story, featuring heavy drug use TW , but a good historical overview of Kings Cross in Sydney in the 60s.
September 11, 2020
Brilliant. Can't recommend highly enough from an author whose research for her stories is solid, reference to characters from other books she has written brings a delicious sense of belonging to the reader, alongside the kiwi/aussie way of life.
Bloody marvellous.
Bloody marvellous.
October 31, 2020
Interesting account of life in the 60s. But not very plausible and a predictable plot. I finished it but only just. Against popular views I am not a fan of Deborah Challinor, I've now read 3 of her books but wont read more.
July 10, 2023
Jacaranda House
Set in the 60’s NZ and Australia this book makes interesting reading. I enjoyed how the author entwined the family in both settings. This book is mainly set in Kings Cross, Sydney which has an interesting history at this time.
Set in the 60’s NZ and Australia this book makes interesting reading. I enjoyed how the author entwined the family in both settings. This book is mainly set in Kings Cross, Sydney which has an interesting history at this time.
October 29, 2025
I'm not sure how to review this. In some ways it was gritty and in other ways felt glib and full of stereotypes. Positives, it was pacy and there was lots happening. Negatives, the characters felt quite cardboard. Overall a good read, but didn't quite hit the mark for me.
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