Emigree: The Crying Tree Series; Book 1

by Jane Ireland

The whispers of the universe are shouting at you…

The lives of two women collide as transformative effects of the supernatural guide them towards reconciliation and open pathways to a fateful retribution.

Sentient beings; Grace finds the term misguided. Since her assault, a pact has been made—with her protective spirit; beyond—promising her glimpses of an unknown future, yet her secrets must remain hidden from all. A crushing blow was never part of the deal…

A young woman, desperate to survive, longs for another world far from her own. Having fled war-torn Budapest for Australia, Izabella’s dreams for renewal abandon her.

Spanning the twenty years following World War II, and set in beautiful Brisbane and amongst the dust of rural New South Wales, Emigree explores the universal emotion of bereavement and how a little magic will change lives forever…

281 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 24, 2020

About the author

In her former life, Jane graduated from university and worked in healthcare and education. Now a passionate author, she has completed two stand-alone historical suspense novels in her Crying Tree Series. 'Emigree' debuted in March 2020. 'Niche' is released in late November 2022. She has begun her third novel. Various genres are currently seducing her, including modern magical realism and psychological thriller.

Reviews

[Cass Moriarty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jane Ireland’s novel Emigree (Shawline Publishing Group 2020) is the first in her planned trilogy The Crying Tree series. Set in the two decades following World War Two, in Brisbane and rural New South Wales, Emigree is a book that is difficult to define…part magical realism, part drama, part romance, the book explores the themes of loss, love, belonging, family, generational trauma, abuse and secrets.
The story is centred around two women and the way their lives intersect as they grow older. Grace has a mysterious presence – beyond – a protective spirit that promises ‘glimpses of an unknown future’, developed as a response to a betrayal and assault she suffered as a child. Yet like the Cassandra of legend, her prophesies are not to be spoken, nor to be believed. She is both in awe of her ability and terrified of its power.
Izabella has fled war-torn Budapest for Australia looking for a new life and an escape from her past. But her dreams are shattered by the experiences she encounters in her new country. As the women grow, develop relationships and feel the powerful longing to bear children, they encounter racism, misogynism and classism. They come from different worlds, yet are determined each to achieve their goals.
This is a story about family, and most particularly about the love of a mother for her child – the dynamics of that special relationship, and the ways in which it might be tested, broken and repaired. It is also a mystical story and one that will appeal to readers who enjoy the blurring of lines between reality and the ‘other realm’ that cannot be so easily explained.
Ireland’s debut book suffers from a few issues common to emerging writers, but you can tell how hard she has worked to bring the best to the fore. Her language, at times, is particularly beautiful, with gorgeous descriptions of place and lovely evocative turns of phrase. I look forward to where she goes with her next book in the series.

[George Johnston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emigree drew me into an evocative story that spans twenty years following World War two. The story is sensitively grounded in the day to day reality of a bygone era while also being brilliantly connected with a mystical journey that is intriguing and enticing. Grief and the effects of trauma haunt the lives of two women. I felt connected with the characters and compelled to find out how the supernatural beyond would change their lives.

[Vicki Stevens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set against the backdrops of Brisbane and country New South Wales from the late 1940s to the late 1960s, Emigree's poignant narrative follows the struggles, joys, and sorrows of two women from two very different cultures. Beautifully written with evocative imagery, touches of humour, and magical realism I was easily drawn into Grace and Izabella’s journeys and the intertwining of their lives. I found myself urging them on in their ventures, weeping with them in their heartache, and rejoicing with them in their fulfilment. A brilliant read for a debut novel. I can’t wait for the continuing story of the Alton family and Izzie’s connection in book two of The Crying Tree series.

[Deanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emigree is the debut novel by author Jane Ireland and is the first book in The Crying Tree Series. The themes of loss, love and deep seated physic connections and intuition feature strongly. The novel begins with the story of Grace who has just finished her nursing studies and has, ever since she can remember, had strong intuitive and unsettling physic powers which she tries very hard to dispel and ignore. She lives in Brisbane during the late 1940’s after World War 2 and is haunted by a past horrific experience which she continually attempts to conceal and push away. There is a parallel story of another young woman, Izabella who is running from her war torn memories of Budapest and is trying to make some sense of the vastly different life in outback Australia and her experiences are sensitively and poignantly told. The plot explores their families and their lives and how their paths are inexplicably linked - their similar losses and their search for peace and ultimate retribution. Also noteworthy is the undertone of quirkiness and sense of fun and surprise in the author’s descriptions of some incidents such when the family go to church and the minister is confronted by an unwelcome visitor. This provides a great balance to the moments of palpable tension which underly the plot.
This is an engrossing read as the characters and the nostalgic Brisbane settings and life in outback New South Wales are well drawn and authentic.

[Lorraine Pestell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful interwoven stories of two courageous women - the contrast of mothers' love against a harsh, vivid landscape.

The first book in The Crying Tree series by Jane Ireland treats readers to vivid descriptions of the harsh expanses of outback Australia in the mid-20th century, where a woman's happiness and safety was dependent on the man she "belonged to".

Emigrée is a compassionate study of two such women: Grace, whose parents and farmer husband, Charlie, provide her with everything she needs, despite her sordid childhood secret; and Izzie, who's journey from Hungary was fraught with danger from the beginning.

The author takes us behind the characters' eyes and bares their souls with clever imagery, these two women finding a common bond in their absent baby boys. I can't wait to read the next part in this trilogy!

[David Hearne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was drawn into the vividly painted world of Emigree as Grace's story unfolded, her life being one of trials and tribulations, of wonderful moments and heart-breaking loss. Izabella's story, at first seemingly unconnected to Grace's, is also one where loss follows her, as the writer skilfully weaves their worlds' together.

As well as a beautifully written story, the detailed surrounds, Brisbane and rural New South Wales, will transport you back in time to a very different, convincingly-constructed Australia, twenty years post World War II.

Will Grace's intuition be enough to keep her family together, and give Izabella's life meaning once more, amid a dark storm close to home that looms and builds as the intriguing narrative draws to a stunning conclusion? I encourage you to buy this book and find out, it's cracking Australian storytelling at its best.

[Gillian Wells · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. It is very cleverly written about the injustices that have occurred over time but in such a gentle way that you almost don't realise that is what is being said. Jane has a very poetical style of writing that so well describes the countryside and the main characters. Grace is very believable and wouldn't any woman love to be married to Charlie who is so in tune wiht the land and his animals and his family. I don't want to spoil the story for anyone else so I won't go into details but I urge people to read this wonderful book.

[Carol Keenan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such an intriguing read and shows the love that women feel for their sons and the connection that exist between the mothers. It is a book to be enjoyed slowing taking in the fantastic writing and emotions of the author. I also enjoyed the past history, Brisbane areas and New South Wales country area. I am looking forward to the next book in this series.

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written, encapsulating piece that finds a perfect balance between mystery, suspense, and compassion - a must read. Highly recommend for anyone begging to lose themselves in a rural Australian dreamland! Cannot wait for the second release of The Crying Tree series.

[Jason Wylie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emigree is set in the 1940s through to the 1960s and is historical fiction intertwined with magical realism. The book is a first for me, written in the third-person present tense which works really well with Jane's elegant writing style. I would consider it almost poetic.
Don't let the beautiful pastels of the cover deceive you into thinking this is a lighthearted read. This is a story of family, life, love, abuse, loss, grief, and finding the silver lining.
Also, don't try to start reading it late at night, it may lead to a much later night.
Jane crafted a beautiful story, which might just have you believing the touches of magic within are real. The story also touches on some very real Australian issues from the past.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to picking up a copy of Niche very soon!

[L.E. Daniels · Rating 5 out of 5]

Begin with the scent of freesia. Be immersed into a story lit by Illawarra flame trees and bound with spider silk. Woven with secrets and revelations, Emigree is a poetic dream of love and endurance.

[Sharyn P · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grace felt things deeply, feeling connected to things she cannot explain, but she kept this to herself, it would be thought of as odd in this time. The war going on around the world was hard, times were hard. Grace was lucky, she found Charlie and was able to make a life, a family for herself in outback Australia. They farm the land, raising sheep and are blessed by their children.
Izabella had travelled to Australia with her family as refugees. Her mother and her left in the back of nowhere while her father, a hard man, went to work and provide for them. It was not an easy life, but she found peace in the area around them. It is here she was seduced by a man, he took from her and left her pregnant, with dishonour to her and her family. Sent away to have her baby and to give it up, but Izabella was not having this, she found a way, but lost her child anyway.
Follow these two brave women, see their lives cross and share in each others hardships and loss.
This was a difficult book for me to get into, finding it hard to bring it together at the start. I persisted and was rewarded with the story pulling together and enticing me to read on. Thanks to Jane Ireland and Beauty and Lace for the chance to read.