What do you think?
Rate this book
The Australian Historical Saga #3
A Colony Divided
Loyalties are torn in 19th-century Australia…
New South Wales, 1839
Jack Bradbury has grown up around the local Mission station and formed a deep and growing relationship with his childhood friend, Lowanna.
But his parents are determined that Jack will take his rightful place in the middle-class commercial society into which he was born and seek a higher match for him.
Jack decides to follow a career in the legal profession and finds a job with a prominent barrister in Sydney.
Almost before he realises what is happening Jack is engaged to be married to his employer’s daughter, and assured of a prosperous future in partnership with his father-in-law.
Then trouble breaks out in the local Aboriginal community, and Lowanna reappears in his life, seeking his assistance.
Torn between two lifestyles, two loves, and two widely contrasting futures, Jack must make an agonising and irrevocable life choice. He has one foot in each of two disparate and bitterly divided communities — which will he opt to become a member of?
New South Wales, 1839
Jack Bradbury has grown up around the local Mission station and formed a deep and growing relationship with his childhood friend, Lowanna.
But his parents are determined that Jack will take his rightful place in the middle-class commercial society into which he was born and seek a higher match for him.
Jack decides to follow a career in the legal profession and finds a job with a prominent barrister in Sydney.
Almost before he realises what is happening Jack is engaged to be married to his employer’s daughter, and assured of a prosperous future in partnership with his father-in-law.
Then trouble breaks out in the local Aboriginal community, and Lowanna reappears in his life, seeking his assistance.
Torn between two lifestyles, two loves, and two widely contrasting futures, Jack must make an agonising and irrevocable life choice. He has one foot in each of two disparate and bitterly divided communities — which will he opt to become a member of?
202 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 5, 2021
175 people are currently reading
32 people want to read
About the author
David Field
59 books97 followersDavid was born in post-war Nottingham, and educated at Nottingham High School. After obtaining a Law degree he became a career-long criminal law practitioner and academic, emigrating in 1989 to Australia, where he still lives.
Combining his two great loves of History and the English language he began writing historical novels as an escape from the realities of life in the criminal law, but did not begin to publish them until close to fulltime retirement, when digital publishing offered a viable alternative to literary agencies, print publishers and rejection slips.
Now blessed with all the time in the world, his former hobby has become a fulltime occupation as he enjoys life in rural New South Wales with his wife, sons and grandchildren to keep him firmly grounded in the reality of the contemporary world.
David Field is published by Sapere Books.
Combining his two great loves of History and the English language he began writing historical novels as an escape from the realities of life in the criminal law, but did not begin to publish them until close to fulltime retirement, when digital publishing offered a viable alternative to literary agencies, print publishers and rejection slips.
Now blessed with all the time in the world, his former hobby has become a fulltime occupation as he enjoys life in rural New South Wales with his wife, sons and grandchildren to keep him firmly grounded in the reality of the contemporary world.
David Field is published by Sapere Books.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
March 18, 2022
David Field is one writer I’ll not tire of reading, hands down. He’s shown me, through his writing, that there is truly something for everyone amongst his array of novels. Field’s latest tetralogy explores the development of Australia, from penal colony to a settled country struggling to define itself. In this third novel, the focus is on Jack Bradbury, second generation Australian, and his attempts to define himself against the still unable nationhood of his homeland. Interesting enough, it parallels some of the struggles his own father, Matthew, had in the second novel, to step out from under the shadow of his own father. Jack is not interested in the family business, but has a passion for the law, wanting to bring justice to all, particularly the indigenous community. While working under a well-established Sydney lawyer, Jack learns the ins and outs of the trade, only to discover that those indigenous who are left as slaves and to live in small communes are disparaged when it comes to the law and accused of crimes before the evidence can be synthesised. Jack’s eyes are opened on numerous occasions, as well as his heart, in this telling story. Field does a masterful job and portraying the struggle in this, the most engaging novel of the series to date.
Jack Bradbury has grown up in his father’s shadow and expected to take over the family hardware business. However, Jack’s passions lie in law and justice, something he espouses regularly when speaking of the poor treatment of the indigenous community around Sydney. When given the chance to be tutored by one of the city’s esteemed criminal lawyers, Jack takes the chance and learns a great deal. He’s also caught the eye of Gwendoline Hannigan, his tutor’s daughter. She decides at her birthday celebration that they are to be engaged, leaving Jack shocked and betrothed when he cannot dispute it.
While working the case of a falsely accused indigenous man, Jack connects with a friend from his past, a young woman who grew up in the care of the Church when her mother died during childbirth. Lowanna is mixed-race, but also the first girl Jack ever loved, feelings that he cannot entirely hide, even after it has been years since they last saw one another.
When Gwendoline discovers Lowanna is back and appears to be with child, the aristocratic woman young assumes the worst and calls off the engagement, leaving Jack speechless and soon without a job. Forced to reinvent himself, Jack does just that and continues to work helping the indigenous as best he can. During a trip to the courthouse, he finds himself inadvertently chosen to defend Gwendoline’s new beau for conspiracy, something he struggles to do, but knows that justice is blind and he must put on the best case possible.
As he works through the case, something significant occurs and Jack is forced into hiding. It is only worth the help of Lowanna, who owes her people’s legal freedom to Jack’s dedication, that they are able to help the young lawyer return to society. A changed man who sees the error of his ways, Jack knows there is only one thing that he has yet to do to tip the scales of justice and societal correctness in his favour, but will he be able to convince others in the Bradbury clan? David Field does a sensational job in his novel that explores the legal and societal strains under which an awkward Australia must come to terms.
David Field shows a passion for writing on a vast array of subjects, as is demonstrated by his numerous short series. Field entertains readers with his flowing narrative and apt dialogue, while exemplifying a great deal of research on the subject matter. This novel was yet again a contrast to the other two in the series, offering up more social commentary at a time when Australia is trying to define itself, yet still yoked with many of the colonial ways of thinking. Field explores all of this, as well as a young man’s emotional well-being through a story that captivates and engages with each turn of the page. I have come to expect nothing less of David Field!
Jack Bradbury is the central protagonist in this piece, though one cannot discount Lowanna and her presence. While Jack explores the legal and judicial aspects of the country, Lowanna offers a refreshing look at how poorly the indigenous population is treated and how blame is shoved towards them without a second thought. There is a great deal of development for both of these characters, peppered with some backstory to offer context and strengthen their connection towards the latter stages of the book. Field has does a masterful job at portraying the struggles both face, without candy coating any of it. The attentive reader will likely need a moment, as I did, to reflect on what transpires and reflect on the current situation in some parts of the world.
David Field presents ideas in an easy to digest fashion, while adding impactful themes throughout. The narrative flows with ease, using varied characters and sentiments that entertain and engage on every page. Shorter chapters help construct the needed momentum and support numerous plot twists. As with the other novels in the series, there is a strong balance of fictional storytelling alongside historical happenings, which provides needed context at every turn. Field never disappoints and he has done so well with this piece. He continues to impress me and I can see glimpses of two other authors who have mastered the art of colonial exploration through multi-generational series. I am eager to see how he ends things in the final novel.
Kudos, Mr. Field, for such a well-paced series. I have been devouring these books and cannot wait to see how it all comes together in the end!
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Jack Bradbury has grown up in his father’s shadow and expected to take over the family hardware business. However, Jack’s passions lie in law and justice, something he espouses regularly when speaking of the poor treatment of the indigenous community around Sydney. When given the chance to be tutored by one of the city’s esteemed criminal lawyers, Jack takes the chance and learns a great deal. He’s also caught the eye of Gwendoline Hannigan, his tutor’s daughter. She decides at her birthday celebration that they are to be engaged, leaving Jack shocked and betrothed when he cannot dispute it.
While working the case of a falsely accused indigenous man, Jack connects with a friend from his past, a young woman who grew up in the care of the Church when her mother died during childbirth. Lowanna is mixed-race, but also the first girl Jack ever loved, feelings that he cannot entirely hide, even after it has been years since they last saw one another.
When Gwendoline discovers Lowanna is back and appears to be with child, the aristocratic woman young assumes the worst and calls off the engagement, leaving Jack speechless and soon without a job. Forced to reinvent himself, Jack does just that and continues to work helping the indigenous as best he can. During a trip to the courthouse, he finds himself inadvertently chosen to defend Gwendoline’s new beau for conspiracy, something he struggles to do, but knows that justice is blind and he must put on the best case possible.
As he works through the case, something significant occurs and Jack is forced into hiding. It is only worth the help of Lowanna, who owes her people’s legal freedom to Jack’s dedication, that they are able to help the young lawyer return to society. A changed man who sees the error of his ways, Jack knows there is only one thing that he has yet to do to tip the scales of justice and societal correctness in his favour, but will he be able to convince others in the Bradbury clan? David Field does a sensational job in his novel that explores the legal and societal strains under which an awkward Australia must come to terms.
David Field shows a passion for writing on a vast array of subjects, as is demonstrated by his numerous short series. Field entertains readers with his flowing narrative and apt dialogue, while exemplifying a great deal of research on the subject matter. This novel was yet again a contrast to the other two in the series, offering up more social commentary at a time when Australia is trying to define itself, yet still yoked with many of the colonial ways of thinking. Field explores all of this, as well as a young man’s emotional well-being through a story that captivates and engages with each turn of the page. I have come to expect nothing less of David Field!
Jack Bradbury is the central protagonist in this piece, though one cannot discount Lowanna and her presence. While Jack explores the legal and judicial aspects of the country, Lowanna offers a refreshing look at how poorly the indigenous population is treated and how blame is shoved towards them without a second thought. There is a great deal of development for both of these characters, peppered with some backstory to offer context and strengthen their connection towards the latter stages of the book. Field has does a masterful job at portraying the struggles both face, without candy coating any of it. The attentive reader will likely need a moment, as I did, to reflect on what transpires and reflect on the current situation in some parts of the world.
David Field presents ideas in an easy to digest fashion, while adding impactful themes throughout. The narrative flows with ease, using varied characters and sentiments that entertain and engage on every page. Shorter chapters help construct the needed momentum and support numerous plot twists. As with the other novels in the series, there is a strong balance of fictional storytelling alongside historical happenings, which provides needed context at every turn. Field never disappoints and he has done so well with this piece. He continues to impress me and I can see glimpses of two other authors who have mastered the art of colonial exploration through multi-generational series. I am eager to see how he ends things in the final novel.
Kudos, Mr. Field, for such a well-paced series. I have been devouring these books and cannot wait to see how it all comes together in the end!
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
October 6, 2021
New South Wales, 1839 Jack Bradbury has grown up around the local Mission station and formed a deep and growing relationship with his childhood friend, Lowanna.
But his parents are determined that Jack will take his rightful place in the middle-class commercial society into which he was born and seek a higher match for him. Jack decides to follow a career in the legal profession and finds a job with a prominent barrister in Sydney. Almost before he realises what is happening Jack is engaged to be married to his employer’s daughter, and assured of a prosperous future in partnership with his father-in-law. Then trouble breaks out in the local Aboriginal community, and Lowanna reappears in his life, seeking his assistance.
This is the third book in the series & we move twenty years forward. Another well written page turner which I once again read in a sitting. The characters are well portrayed. I loved Jack & was invested in his story. I loved how he was drawn in two directions & the pages flew by as I wanted to find out which way he would jump.
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
But his parents are determined that Jack will take his rightful place in the middle-class commercial society into which he was born and seek a higher match for him. Jack decides to follow a career in the legal profession and finds a job with a prominent barrister in Sydney. Almost before he realises what is happening Jack is engaged to be married to his employer’s daughter, and assured of a prosperous future in partnership with his father-in-law. Then trouble breaks out in the local Aboriginal community, and Lowanna reappears in his life, seeking his assistance.
This is the third book in the series & we move twenty years forward. Another well written page turner which I once again read in a sitting. The characters are well portrayed. I loved Jack & was invested in his story. I loved how he was drawn in two directions & the pages flew by as I wanted to find out which way he would jump.
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read
June 25, 2024
Soppy
This novel was lightweight all the way through . I expected it to be a harsh recount of life in Australia in those early days . All it was about was the shallow relationships of a soppy romantic novel .
This novel was lightweight all the way through . I expected it to be a harsh recount of life in Australia in those early days . All it was about was the shallow relationships of a soppy romantic novel .
December 29, 2023
What a wonderful series and I was enthralled from the 1st chapter,
The character development had me entranced, although Hannah is my favourite.
Jack won me over with his love of the native people.A great read!
The character development had me entranced, although Hannah is my favourite.
Jack won me over with his love of the native people.A great read!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews