What do you think?
Rate this book
The Consequence of Anna
The Instant #1 BESTSELLER . . . Inspired by a TRUE STORY . . . Soon to be a MAJOR MOTION PICTURE!
“An intense and emotional read!” – Rhys Bowen, New York Times bestselling author of The Tuscan Child
Reminiscent of The Thorn Birds, The Light Between Oceans, and Lady Chatterley’s Lover – poignant, heartbreaking, and unforgettable.
"SHAMED BE THE WOMAN WHO ALLOWETH SUCH A SIN!"
Set against the sprawling backdrop of 1930s Australia, Anna May Shahan is a wild child raised on a lush farm by the sea, always barefoot and playing in her neighbor’s secret garden. Her Aboriginal nanny teaches her the ways of the land, and she grows up to be a quirky, eccentric, and sweet woman. But she is not without her demons, as she struggles with bizarre behaviors and a haunting, dark side.
Soon after marriage, Anna inherits Sugar Alexandria, her family’s sheep station, and she and her Irish husband James lead a simple, hardworking life. That is until Anna’s beautiful widowed cousin Lottie returns from London after being absent for over a decade. Lottie confesses to Anna her heart’s greatest desire to have a child, and Anna, in fear of losing her beloved cousin again, seeks to grant her wish by means of her own husband. What happens next brings devastating consequences for them all . . .
A literary achievement and the most emotionally gripping book of the year, The Consequence of Anna is a complex historical family saga, intertwined with the haunting mystery of Anna’s mental illness and the secrets, lies, and revelations revealed through the hidden passions of Lottie and James. Layered with lush romance, obsessive love, the strong bond of female friendship, and the frightening effects of altruistic intentions gone wrong, this provocative and powerful allegory cuts through rules and boundaries and proves the old adage that no good deed goes unpunished!
Reader praise for this unforgettable tearjerker inspired by true events . . .
"Storytelling on an epic scale. I had to stop reading and let myself have a good cry more times than I care to admit. This story touched my heart and soul and I will never forget it."
– ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Robin Price, Amazon
"Gruesome and yet beautiful at the same time... This book will devastate you, tear you down, then bring you back up for air... Such a masterpiece... It's been some time since I had a good hard cry. I needed it. Thank you."
– ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ BookLover, Goodreads
"Wow. Just wow... The most powerful novel I have ever read... It teaches you, it shocks you, it moves you... When done I cried so much it hurt. It will certainly change how you think of people who suffer with mental illness."
– ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Sherry, Goodreads
"What a special book this is... An extraordinary tale about mental illness, obsession, envy and passionate love intertwined... Vivid, engrossing and inspiring. Highly recommend."
– ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Avid Reader, Amazon
"A true masterpiece!... Brilliantly written and if you only read one book this year - make it this one!"
– ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Christine Cazeneuve, Goodreads
"So much sparkle! Such beautiful decadent prose... Rich with metaphors, creating shining gorgeous scenes... Dark, romantic and haunting... A must read."
– ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Shelly Perner, Goodreads
“An intense and emotional read!” – Rhys Bowen, New York Times bestselling author of The Tuscan Child
Reminiscent of The Thorn Birds, The Light Between Oceans, and Lady Chatterley’s Lover – poignant, heartbreaking, and unforgettable.
"SHAMED BE THE WOMAN WHO ALLOWETH SUCH A SIN!"
Set against the sprawling backdrop of 1930s Australia, Anna May Shahan is a wild child raised on a lush farm by the sea, always barefoot and playing in her neighbor’s secret garden. Her Aboriginal nanny teaches her the ways of the land, and she grows up to be a quirky, eccentric, and sweet woman. But she is not without her demons, as she struggles with bizarre behaviors and a haunting, dark side.
Soon after marriage, Anna inherits Sugar Alexandria, her family’s sheep station, and she and her Irish husband James lead a simple, hardworking life. That is until Anna’s beautiful widowed cousin Lottie returns from London after being absent for over a decade. Lottie confesses to Anna her heart’s greatest desire to have a child, and Anna, in fear of losing her beloved cousin again, seeks to grant her wish by means of her own husband. What happens next brings devastating consequences for them all . . .
A literary achievement and the most emotionally gripping book of the year, The Consequence of Anna is a complex historical family saga, intertwined with the haunting mystery of Anna’s mental illness and the secrets, lies, and revelations revealed through the hidden passions of Lottie and James. Layered with lush romance, obsessive love, the strong bond of female friendship, and the frightening effects of altruistic intentions gone wrong, this provocative and powerful allegory cuts through rules and boundaries and proves the old adage that no good deed goes unpunished!
Reader praise for this unforgettable tearjerker inspired by true events . . .
"Storytelling on an epic scale. I had to stop reading and let myself have a good cry more times than I care to admit. This story touched my heart and soul and I will never forget it."
– ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Robin Price, Amazon
"Gruesome and yet beautiful at the same time... This book will devastate you, tear you down, then bring you back up for air... Such a masterpiece... It's been some time since I had a good hard cry. I needed it. Thank you."
– ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ BookLover, Goodreads
"Wow. Just wow... The most powerful novel I have ever read... It teaches you, it shocks you, it moves you... When done I cried so much it hurt. It will certainly change how you think of people who suffer with mental illness."
– ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Sherry, Goodreads
"What a special book this is... An extraordinary tale about mental illness, obsession, envy and passionate love intertwined... Vivid, engrossing and inspiring. Highly recommend."
– ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Avid Reader, Amazon
"A true masterpiece!... Brilliantly written and if you only read one book this year - make it this one!"
– ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Christine Cazeneuve, Goodreads
"So much sparkle! Such beautiful decadent prose... Rich with metaphors, creating shining gorgeous scenes... Dark, romantic and haunting... A must read."
– ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Shelly Perner, Goodreads
622 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 21, 2023
7690 people are currently reading
8868 people want to read
About the author
Kate Birkin
2 books100 followersKate Birkin is the award-winning and bestselling author of The Consequence of Anna, and Ava and Shalom. Both novels became instant #1 bestsellers, reaching international acclaim. Hailed as one of the top new historical fiction writers, her newest novel will be released in early 2026.
With degrees in English Literature and History, Kate is an accomplished author and ghostwriter of a dozen other novels and two original screenplays. She lives and writes in a refurbished Victorian home overlooking the sea, where vintage oil painting portraits adorn the walls and their eyes seemingly follow you, stairs creak and doors mysteriously open by themselves, a fire is always crackling in her stone fireplace, and her two Siamese cats, Matilda and Carmichael, sit by her side while she creates.
As a lover of the arts, Kate also enjoys the opera, ballet, and playing her violin and piano. A passionate advocate for human and animal rights, she supports multiple charities that champion their cause.
“When I was a child, I knew that books were pure magic. Portals into another realm where the book cover itself is the enchanted key to enter. To be able to time travel and experience life through someone else’s eyes is something I have always cherished. And now, as I create these stories and characters myself, I fall in love with them. It’s not just the reader who embarks on a journey as they begin one of my novels. Like Bastian in The Neverending Story, I too venture on that same journey when I write, loving every minute of it!”
Visit https://katebirkinbooks.com to learn more about Kate and her books.
With degrees in English Literature and History, Kate is an accomplished author and ghostwriter of a dozen other novels and two original screenplays. She lives and writes in a refurbished Victorian home overlooking the sea, where vintage oil painting portraits adorn the walls and their eyes seemingly follow you, stairs creak and doors mysteriously open by themselves, a fire is always crackling in her stone fireplace, and her two Siamese cats, Matilda and Carmichael, sit by her side while she creates.
As a lover of the arts, Kate also enjoys the opera, ballet, and playing her violin and piano. A passionate advocate for human and animal rights, she supports multiple charities that champion their cause.
“When I was a child, I knew that books were pure magic. Portals into another realm where the book cover itself is the enchanted key to enter. To be able to time travel and experience life through someone else’s eyes is something I have always cherished. And now, as I create these stories and characters myself, I fall in love with them. It’s not just the reader who embarks on a journey as they begin one of my novels. Like Bastian in The Neverending Story, I too venture on that same journey when I write, loving every minute of it!”
Visit https://katebirkinbooks.com to learn more about Kate and her books.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 665 reviews
July 27, 2022
This was a very long book. It is the supposedly true story of a love triangle set in Australia in the 1920's and through the Depression. The story is interesting but the use of arcane language is distracting. There are other small oddities that kept me from full enjoyment of this book. I do, though, recommend this for the historical interest.
June 13, 2024
Do you think this might be written by Artificial Intel? The writing is elementary with strange, normally unused words thrown in as if they used a thesaurus to sound like they are smarter than the average reader.
I also looked up the authors and found NOTHING about them except on the Amazon page, which is exactly like the website page. There were two photos of a Kate Birkin and they were different from each other. There are no Photos of Mark Bornz. No interviews with either.
And this is on the list for a Pulitzer prize for Fiction and supposedly being made into a movie. It doesn't make sense to me.
I also looked up the authors and found NOTHING about them except on the Amazon page, which is exactly like the website page. There were two photos of a Kate Birkin and they were different from each other. There are no Photos of Mark Bornz. No interviews with either.
And this is on the list for a Pulitzer prize for Fiction and supposedly being made into a movie. It doesn't make sense to me.
July 17, 2024
The Consequence of Anna is pure fiction “inspired by a true story.”
It would be fascinating for the authors to share the details of the novel’s inspirational origin tale.
In my attempts to learn more about Anna, James and Rose, I have found zero. There is a complete lack of source references, citations in the book. There is evidence of these “historical” events having occurred in this area of Australia in the early 1930s that I was able to find.
Oh did I mention that every photo used in the book is stock.
The authors’ research skills are celebrated in multiple reviews. Yet it is very unclear to me what exactly they researched.
The copyright page “fiction” declaration does not explain many additional inconsistencies I have come across including the single photo I found online of “Kate Birkin” turned out to be a photo of another author. There is no Pulitzer category for ebooks and in fact - it appears anyone can nominate a piece of writing for a Pulitzer. The other books Ms. Birkin and/or Mr. Bornz are supposed to have written are no where to be found. Reviews, accolades, and awards all circle back to statements from “Kate Birkin Books.”
I could perhaps overlook these details if this book was well written or even slightly interesting. The “authors’” use of language is a train wreck of modern terms interrupted suddenly with random and arcane vocabulary. The writing is painfully repetitive and the changing narrator/point of view/voice detracts from the story.
My Conclusion: This “novel” is AI generated.
If anyone has actual proof of the existence of either author, the historical events/people, existence of the other books listed on their website or supposed accolades, I welcome the proof!
The bigger questions I am left with are…
Should AI generated stories have their own category or genre?
What place does the creator who prompted and compiled an AI generated story have? What responsibilities do they/the publisher have?
Many of the statements made about and around this novel could be considered technically accurate and true. Problematic but potentially true.
So when does intent count?
What is the intent of the creators?
And does intent matter to you?
How do you feel you may have been intentionally misled or taken advantage of?
It would be fascinating for the authors to share the details of the novel’s inspirational origin tale.
In my attempts to learn more about Anna, James and Rose, I have found zero. There is a complete lack of source references, citations in the book. There is evidence of these “historical” events having occurred in this area of Australia in the early 1930s that I was able to find.
Oh did I mention that every photo used in the book is stock.
The authors’ research skills are celebrated in multiple reviews. Yet it is very unclear to me what exactly they researched.
The copyright page “fiction” declaration does not explain many additional inconsistencies I have come across including the single photo I found online of “Kate Birkin” turned out to be a photo of another author. There is no Pulitzer category for ebooks and in fact - it appears anyone can nominate a piece of writing for a Pulitzer. The other books Ms. Birkin and/or Mr. Bornz are supposed to have written are no where to be found. Reviews, accolades, and awards all circle back to statements from “Kate Birkin Books.”
I could perhaps overlook these details if this book was well written or even slightly interesting. The “authors’” use of language is a train wreck of modern terms interrupted suddenly with random and arcane vocabulary. The writing is painfully repetitive and the changing narrator/point of view/voice detracts from the story.
My Conclusion: This “novel” is AI generated.
If anyone has actual proof of the existence of either author, the historical events/people, existence of the other books listed on their website or supposed accolades, I welcome the proof!
The bigger questions I am left with are…
Should AI generated stories have their own category or genre?
What place does the creator who prompted and compiled an AI generated story have? What responsibilities do they/the publisher have?
Many of the statements made about and around this novel could be considered technically accurate and true. Problematic but potentially true.
So when does intent count?
What is the intent of the creators?
And does intent matter to you?
How do you feel you may have been intentionally misled or taken advantage of?
December 1, 2021
This story is about choices and the consequences of those choices if they are not well thought out. Anna sets out to do whatever it takes to make herself happy, no matter what anyone else wants. She lost her mom and sister at a young age and never really got over it. At times I wanted to hug Anna and other times I wanted to shake her. She made one fateful decision that changed the lives of everyone she loves. I liked how Anna worked on her problems and how she grew and from them. It is a story of love and courage. I received an advance copy of this book and this is my honest review.
December 5, 2021
This is a brilliant read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great drama and romance with wonderful world building.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great drama and romance with wonderful world building.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
April 18, 2022
This book is far too long, filled with unnecessary details and repetitions. A strong premise, with shoddy execution.
December 7, 2021
This book was epic in length, so well written with Australian colloquialisms not found in the dictionary, but with such a wealth of beautiful words! It was sad to see how untreated mental illness can be so detrimental not only to the one suffering from poor life choices but innocent, caring persons that are targeted or related. This was a well-written story of real-life and real love in the outback during the Great Depression. I felt like I grew as the characters developed over the years. I found most of my sympathies were with James. I recommend this book.
December 23, 2021
This gothic Australian book has it all.
A couple lives on a large cliff-top sheep farm house by the sea. They lead a simple calm life until Anna’s American cousin arrives. Soon all three are caught up in a bizarre romantic love triangle. Rich in atmosphere with decadent prose. I found myself rereading scenes because it’s that good. The storyline is groundbreaking too and heart wrenching. A tragic family past, a woman with a mysterious mental illness whose obsessed with another woman, and two lovers hiding a passionate dangerous affair right out in the open. Loved it!
A couple lives on a large cliff-top sheep farm house by the sea. They lead a simple calm life until Anna’s American cousin arrives. Soon all three are caught up in a bizarre romantic love triangle. Rich in atmosphere with decadent prose. I found myself rereading scenes because it’s that good. The storyline is groundbreaking too and heart wrenching. A tragic family past, a woman with a mysterious mental illness whose obsessed with another woman, and two lovers hiding a passionate dangerous affair right out in the open. Loved it!
August 26, 2022
Wondering if the author had a thesaurus and an SAT dictionary beside her during the writing of the book... Words like: abyssopelagic, plenary, bavardage, eventuates, nugatory, coruscating, nescient, deleterious, etc. on every page. Yes, I know the meaning of most of the words. I just was not impressed. The way the writing changed from 3rd person to 1st, from all 3 characters POV was also strange, and made for confusing reading. The story was interesting, but I wouldn't recommend the book.
December 8, 2021
The Consequence of Anna: A Novel by Kate Birkin and Mark Bornz is a tale that is based on true events that happened in a small Australian town in the 1930s. Anna May’s quiet life with her husband on an isolated farm drastically changes when she accepts to grant her cousin who has just returned from the USA the one wish that could change her life. Helping Lottie make a baby with her husband, James, is an act of selflessness from Anna’s perspective and something that could help her keep her cousin not only happy but strongly bonded with her. It is supposed to happen just once and what Anna couldn’t suspect is that her husband might fall for her beautiful cousin. Then a passion ignites between James and Lottie and what happens next is a family drama that unfolds in unexpected ways.
This is a well-plotted novel with strong plot points, one that has a compelling premise and that pulls the reader in instantly. I loved the originality in the plot, the complexity in characterization, and the realism woven into the characters. While The Consequence of Anna: A Novel features compelling and sophisticated characters, it was slow and unnecessarily lengthy. The narrative takes readers through the years of courtship, exploring Anna’s connection with James, and through their marriage to the events that unfold after the arrival of Lottie who has been away for many years. There are so many detailed scenes and backstories that might be distracting for readers looking for a fast-paced, electrifying read. Overall, the themes are well-crafted, the prose is excellent, and the characters are lovable and real.
This is a well-plotted novel with strong plot points, one that has a compelling premise and that pulls the reader in instantly. I loved the originality in the plot, the complexity in characterization, and the realism woven into the characters. While The Consequence of Anna: A Novel features compelling and sophisticated characters, it was slow and unnecessarily lengthy. The narrative takes readers through the years of courtship, exploring Anna’s connection with James, and through their marriage to the events that unfold after the arrival of Lottie who has been away for many years. There are so many detailed scenes and backstories that might be distracting for readers looking for a fast-paced, electrifying read. Overall, the themes are well-crafted, the prose is excellent, and the characters are lovable and real.
March 4, 2022
When I finished the Light Between Oceans- The Consequence of Anna was recommended to me here is my thoughts of this book.
First off let me say these two Australian writers can write! My goodness. When you start reading you won’t be able to put it down. I read allot and I was never bored. I wanted to find out who James was going to choose.
It does start off a bit slow but evolves into a intense love triangle where one woman with mental illness allows her husband to give her cousin a baby. Emotions rise, passion ignites and one person might be killed.
The character’s are incredibly fleshed out with Anna having mental illness, her beautiful American cousin having a underdeveloped leg, and James a sweet and long suffering husband. As you read you feel like your falling down a rabbit hole and trying to find your way out. And I mean this in a good way. Then there’s the tears. I cried for Rose, for James and then for Anna. All three suffer in different ways and you just won’t guess the ending.
It is a long book but I like long books and enjoyed having a read that absorbed me so much.
I highly recommend this beautiful book and this is my honest opinion.
First off let me say these two Australian writers can write! My goodness. When you start reading you won’t be able to put it down. I read allot and I was never bored. I wanted to find out who James was going to choose.
It does start off a bit slow but evolves into a intense love triangle where one woman with mental illness allows her husband to give her cousin a baby. Emotions rise, passion ignites and one person might be killed.
The character’s are incredibly fleshed out with Anna having mental illness, her beautiful American cousin having a underdeveloped leg, and James a sweet and long suffering husband. As you read you feel like your falling down a rabbit hole and trying to find your way out. And I mean this in a good way. Then there’s the tears. I cried for Rose, for James and then for Anna. All three suffer in different ways and you just won’t guess the ending.
It is a long book but I like long books and enjoyed having a read that absorbed me so much.
I highly recommend this beautiful book and this is my honest opinion.
November 30, 2021
This is an epic tale about a troubled girl who is haunted by forces beyond her control. But still her life is filled with joyous moments and lots of happiness, even though one major event changes her life and the lives of those she loves most forever.
Many times in the story I expected there to be a resolution to the troubles that had happened, but that was not to be the case. Yet still life went on. My heart broke for Anna more than once. I even shed a tear or two for her and the tragedies in her life.
The story tells in vivid detail everything that happens to Anna over the course of her life. It is brilliantly written, retracing pivotal moments and conversations so that the reader has no doubt about how the story got to the point where it is. And this is a good thing because the story is very long. It is well worth the time to read, as it is a story that may change your life. It will definitely change your thinking and perceptive about mental illness and those it affects.
Many times in the story I expected there to be a resolution to the troubles that had happened, but that was not to be the case. Yet still life went on. My heart broke for Anna more than once. I even shed a tear or two for her and the tragedies in her life.
The story tells in vivid detail everything that happens to Anna over the course of her life. It is brilliantly written, retracing pivotal moments and conversations so that the reader has no doubt about how the story got to the point where it is. And this is a good thing because the story is very long. It is well worth the time to read, as it is a story that may change your life. It will definitely change your thinking and perceptive about mental illness and those it affects.
May 21, 2024
Made it more than halfway through but had to DNF this one. When conciliate, ebullition, vexatious and truculent all showed up on the same page, followed closely behind by discomfiting and boutades… I was done. The vocabulary coupled with the Australian slang made it impossible to stay engaged with the storyline.
May 3, 2024
I suppose I am in the minority, but I felt this book dragged on and the authors used a lot of words not in common usage, which was annoying and distracting. Overall, I would say that the repetitive scenes of Anna's various interludes of illness and play-by-play reenactments of interactions with her cousin Rose could have been cut by at least two-thirds and the readers still would have gotten the picture and the story would have moved along more rapidly. As it was, I almost abandoned it due to boredom. Three stars are because I did find the Australian outback setting enjoyable and the treatment of mental illness at that time and place of interest.
December 24, 2021
This book had a lot of promise. I found it incredibly repetitive. Chapter after chapter saying the same thing, going over the same subject matter.
December 9, 2021
Thank you to Netgalley for a free copy of this novel. Here is my review.
The Consequence of Anna focuses on three people: Anna, her husband James, & her cousin Rose. Set in the 1930's Australian outback, you see Anna struggle with her mental illness and a love triangle between the characters.
I struggled with this novel. Here are some of my issues:
The opening pages says this is based on a true story, yet I cannot find anything about these people on Google.
The illustrations throughout the book are off putting. They look like they were thrown in to promote a scrapbook feel however, none of the people in the pictures are the real Anna, James, or Rose. Some of illustrations are stamps, others are strange butterfly and heart clip arts. They all look like they were thrown in half Hazzardly.
I struggled with the multiple view point shifts during the middle of the chapters. The chapter would start out in 3rd person, then switch to 1st person, then back to 3rd.
We are introduced to characters that do not serve any purpose to drive the story along and are not interesting enough to have their conversations spoke to the length that they are.
And Anna. She is so... unlovable. Despite her struggles with mental illness and the loss she suffered as a child, she should have some redeeming qualities yet the author never reveals that side of her. We just see continue to make all the people around her miserable.
If you are still interested in the story, just skip to the epilog where the author tells you the story all over again.
The Consequence of Anna focuses on three people: Anna, her husband James, & her cousin Rose. Set in the 1930's Australian outback, you see Anna struggle with her mental illness and a love triangle between the characters.
I struggled with this novel. Here are some of my issues:
The opening pages says this is based on a true story, yet I cannot find anything about these people on Google.
The illustrations throughout the book are off putting. They look like they were thrown in to promote a scrapbook feel however, none of the people in the pictures are the real Anna, James, or Rose. Some of illustrations are stamps, others are strange butterfly and heart clip arts. They all look like they were thrown in half Hazzardly.
I struggled with the multiple view point shifts during the middle of the chapters. The chapter would start out in 3rd person, then switch to 1st person, then back to 3rd.
We are introduced to characters that do not serve any purpose to drive the story along and are not interesting enough to have their conversations spoke to the length that they are.
And Anna. She is so... unlovable. Despite her struggles with mental illness and the loss she suffered as a child, she should have some redeeming qualities yet the author never reveals that side of her. We just see continue to make all the people around her miserable.
If you are still interested in the story, just skip to the epilog where the author tells you the story all over again.
December 30, 2021
Read this on kindle and couldn’t put it down. Anna has severe mental illness and it goes undiagnosed for years. Then her cousin Rose arrives, her nickname is Lottie, and it brings out the best and worst in Anna. Both Anna and James are in love with Lottie in very different ways and there are horrific consequences because of this. A charming beautiful read with moments of madness. I highly recommend.
November 30, 2021
Surprisingly good
I did a search on Australia and this showed up. Being based on actual events I was interrsted. This was a really good book. A bit long but well researched. I will certainly recommend it.
I did a search on Australia and this showed up. Being based on actual events I was interrsted. This was a really good book. A bit long but well researched. I will certainly recommend it.
February 11, 2022
The Consequence Of Anna is gruesome and yet beautiful at the same time. When the author describes the scenes I felt like I was in the room with the characters. I loved the characters and then passionately hated them for different reasons. I became little Anna with her mental illness and obsession with Rose and then I become Rose, longing to be loved by a man she could not have, then I became James, longing to be free from it all. Such a beautiful book, its reads like a poem. In so many ways the book continued on in my mind for days after I finished it. It really made an impact on me.
This book will devastate you, tear you down, then bring you back up for air.
When Rose comes back to Australia after a decade to heal she doesn't just desire a home to recover she desires a baby. Anna so afraid of losing Rose again she manipulates her loyal and devoted husband James into giving Rose what she wants. Rose does in deed have a child and Anna slowly spirals into madness.
I read ALLOT and most books I read I often flip through the pages. This is not that kind of book. I was engrossed into this love triangle and could not put the book down until I found out what happened between these three people. There is also sweet Liam, a deaf young man that ties into the chaos of the story and yet he is the one who brings clarity to them all in an unconventional way.
I applaud the writers for creating such a masterpiece and I look forward to what the authors write next. It's been sometime since I had a good hard cry. I needed it. Thank you.
This book will devastate you, tear you down, then bring you back up for air.
When Rose comes back to Australia after a decade to heal she doesn't just desire a home to recover she desires a baby. Anna so afraid of losing Rose again she manipulates her loyal and devoted husband James into giving Rose what she wants. Rose does in deed have a child and Anna slowly spirals into madness.
I read ALLOT and most books I read I often flip through the pages. This is not that kind of book. I was engrossed into this love triangle and could not put the book down until I found out what happened between these three people. There is also sweet Liam, a deaf young man that ties into the chaos of the story and yet he is the one who brings clarity to them all in an unconventional way.
I applaud the writers for creating such a masterpiece and I look forward to what the authors write next. It's been sometime since I had a good hard cry. I needed it. Thank you.
May 5, 2022
heavy use of thesaurus?
I liked the story, especially knowing it was based on real people and events.
I consider myself somewhat well read, but I gave up looking up words in the dictionary because there were just too many I didn’t know. It reminded me of being in junior high and writing something using a thesaurus to come up with a grand, complicated synonym for at least one word per sentence. It was distracting, irritating and almost laugh out loud funny at times.
But, it did seem to get better further into the book.
In a nutshell, I was interested in the story but the writing, not so much.
I liked the story, especially knowing it was based on real people and events.
I consider myself somewhat well read, but I gave up looking up words in the dictionary because there were just too many I didn’t know. It reminded me of being in junior high and writing something using a thesaurus to come up with a grand, complicated synonym for at least one word per sentence. It was distracting, irritating and almost laugh out loud funny at times.
But, it did seem to get better further into the book.
In a nutshell, I was interested in the story but the writing, not so much.
May 1, 2024
A slog
I only finished this book because it had been nominated for a Pulitzer. I thought the historical events were compelling, but the authors wrote the story at a glacial pace. The vocabulary was heavy, very heavy, with input from the thesaurus; it rivaled Moira Rose's dialogue (Schitt's Creek) in it's obscurity. I'd have enjoyed an abridged version with less ponderous language.
I only finished this book because it had been nominated for a Pulitzer. I thought the historical events were compelling, but the authors wrote the story at a glacial pace. The vocabulary was heavy, very heavy, with input from the thesaurus; it rivaled Moira Rose's dialogue (Schitt's Creek) in it's obscurity. I'd have enjoyed an abridged version with less ponderous language.
August 22, 2023
Crazy Love
There is so much love in this story, so many kinds of love, some to the point of obsession. Obsessive love and need lead to destruction of a marriage, family and friendship. What were once beautiful relationships are destroyed by needy love that leads a woman further into madness, wanting to kill a husband, friend and friend’s child.
There is so much love in this story, so many kinds of love, some to the point of obsession. Obsessive love and need lead to destruction of a marriage, family and friendship. What were once beautiful relationships are destroyed by needy love that leads a woman further into madness, wanting to kill a husband, friend and friend’s child.
March 24, 2022
Wonderful storyteller!
This story takes place in Australia where the reader gets a sense of what it was like to live there in the 1940s. The characters are rich and damaged. The ending is not predictable and you will want the story to go on and on.
This story takes place in Australia where the reader gets a sense of what it was like to live there in the 1940s. The characters are rich and damaged. The ending is not predictable and you will want the story to go on and on.
December 12, 2024
Needlessly long. Could have been cut down quite a bit. Interesting story.
January 7, 2022
How far will you go for family? The Consequence of Anna by Kate Birkin and Mark Bronz is a tale wrought with friendship, passion, and troubling thoughts.
Anna May Shahan lives a calm and simple life with her lovely husband, James, on an isolated farm by the sea. Trouble begins when Anna's estranged beautiful cousin, Lottie, arrives at her home in Esperance, Australia, all the way from the United States of America after being under the radar for around ten years. Anna is delighted to host her widowed cousin and is determined to do anything to strengthen their sisterly bond. When Lottie asks for an unimaginable favor from Anna, she agrees in fear of losing her dear cousin again. When Anna shares with James Lottie's desire to have a baby with him, he refuses in rage and blames her undiagnosed mental illness for her provocative plan. Nevertheless, Anna remains adamant about her demands and successfully makes her husband obey her wishes. What Anna believes to be a selfless act to help her dear cousin brings disturbing consequences for all three of them.
The Consequence of Anna by Kate Birkin and Mark Bronz is a story of a childish woman driven by her mental problems to make a decision that would devastate her life and the lives of her loved ones. This intriguing family drama novel discovers what happens when the rules and boundaries of traditional marriage are pushed even when done with good intentions. Written with poetic prose that draws the reader in with intrigue, the book is emotionally charged and handles the difficult topic of Anna's mental illness with fluid ease. The dialogues are well-written and perfectly capture the period's nuances and family dynamics. The protagonist, Anna, is a complex character that readers will find charming from the first page. The book is a must-read for mystery fiction buffs as they will discover the lengths of love and passion one's willing to go to for the ones they hold dear.
Anna May Shahan lives a calm and simple life with her lovely husband, James, on an isolated farm by the sea. Trouble begins when Anna's estranged beautiful cousin, Lottie, arrives at her home in Esperance, Australia, all the way from the United States of America after being under the radar for around ten years. Anna is delighted to host her widowed cousin and is determined to do anything to strengthen their sisterly bond. When Lottie asks for an unimaginable favor from Anna, she agrees in fear of losing her dear cousin again. When Anna shares with James Lottie's desire to have a baby with him, he refuses in rage and blames her undiagnosed mental illness for her provocative plan. Nevertheless, Anna remains adamant about her demands and successfully makes her husband obey her wishes. What Anna believes to be a selfless act to help her dear cousin brings disturbing consequences for all three of them.
The Consequence of Anna by Kate Birkin and Mark Bronz is a story of a childish woman driven by her mental problems to make a decision that would devastate her life and the lives of her loved ones. This intriguing family drama novel discovers what happens when the rules and boundaries of traditional marriage are pushed even when done with good intentions. Written with poetic prose that draws the reader in with intrigue, the book is emotionally charged and handles the difficult topic of Anna's mental illness with fluid ease. The dialogues are well-written and perfectly capture the period's nuances and family dynamics. The protagonist, Anna, is a complex character that readers will find charming from the first page. The book is a must-read for mystery fiction buffs as they will discover the lengths of love and passion one's willing to go to for the ones they hold dear.
December 16, 2021
#1 new release BEST SELLER on kindle unlimited/Amazon for a reason.
A 1930’s drama based on actual events. I found it a fascinating character study of mental illness and how it effects family members. Sweet at times while there are other moments that are wonderfully dark and haunting. I loved how the characters speak directly to you as you read sharing their thoughts and feelings with the reader-and how some scenes are written in present tense. The way this story is laid out makes the reader feel as their inside the story as it’s happening. The main characters are Anna who is a Danish woman with mental illness, her Irish husband James whose intelligent quiet and thoughtful and who persevere’s through his marriage, Rose the pretty American cousin with a underdeveloped leg, and Liam the deaf young man next door, who though has a minor part in the book, has a major impact on the three lives of the main characters... Brilliantly written and a fantastic read. I’m an avid reader and I couldn’t put this down. 5 stars.
A 1930’s drama based on actual events. I found it a fascinating character study of mental illness and how it effects family members. Sweet at times while there are other moments that are wonderfully dark and haunting. I loved how the characters speak directly to you as you read sharing their thoughts and feelings with the reader-and how some scenes are written in present tense. The way this story is laid out makes the reader feel as their inside the story as it’s happening. The main characters are Anna who is a Danish woman with mental illness, her Irish husband James whose intelligent quiet and thoughtful and who persevere’s through his marriage, Rose the pretty American cousin with a underdeveloped leg, and Liam the deaf young man next door, who though has a minor part in the book, has a major impact on the three lives of the main characters... Brilliantly written and a fantastic read. I’m an avid reader and I couldn’t put this down. 5 stars.
December 21, 2021
Elegant simplicity that turns into a complicated engrossing love triangle.
Kate Birkin and Mark Bornz capture the elegant simplicity of a girl living on a beautiful farm in Australia. But don’t be fooled this book quickly transforms into a harrowing story of a woman living with extreme undiagnosed psychological problems and the effects it not only has on her but the ones living around her.
I greatly enjoyed how the writers wrote in first person in some scenes- so it appears either the scenes are happening in real time or the characters are talking to you as you read. You feel what their feeling as the story moves along.
Overall this is a delightful read that is full of insight’s on Schizophrenia, the deaf, people with disabilities and the treatment of the Aboriginal people. Threaded throughout is Intense passion, pain, and the redemption of the human soul. In short, I loved it; would enjoy seeing this as a movie; it has all the drama, intrigue and emotional energy that could easily transfer over to film.
Kate Birkin and Mark Bornz capture the elegant simplicity of a girl living on a beautiful farm in Australia. But don’t be fooled this book quickly transforms into a harrowing story of a woman living with extreme undiagnosed psychological problems and the effects it not only has on her but the ones living around her.
I greatly enjoyed how the writers wrote in first person in some scenes- so it appears either the scenes are happening in real time or the characters are talking to you as you read. You feel what their feeling as the story moves along.
Overall this is a delightful read that is full of insight’s on Schizophrenia, the deaf, people with disabilities and the treatment of the Aboriginal people. Threaded throughout is Intense passion, pain, and the redemption of the human soul. In short, I loved it; would enjoy seeing this as a movie; it has all the drama, intrigue and emotional energy that could easily transfer over to film.
December 23, 2021
Sweet charming read that turns electrifying and terrifying towards the middle of the book.
I had just finished Thorn Birds and was looking for something similar and found this book online. The Consequence of Anna reads like a classic. Like it was written 70 years ago. And that’s a good thing as very few books these days are able to move you as this one did for me. The story follows two women and one man through their lives during the Great Depression. Anna, Rose, and James. Anna has a obsessive friendship with Rose and will do anything to keep that friendship. What happens next is actually quite horrific. To say anymore I would be giving away the story. But what starts out as a sweet charming read about the life on an Australian farm soon turns electrifying and terrifying towards the middle of the book.
If you like the classics I think you’ll love this book, it has all that old fashioned charm and flavor mixed with twist and messy turns. A must read for book lovers.
I had just finished Thorn Birds and was looking for something similar and found this book online. The Consequence of Anna reads like a classic. Like it was written 70 years ago. And that’s a good thing as very few books these days are able to move you as this one did for me. The story follows two women and one man through their lives during the Great Depression. Anna, Rose, and James. Anna has a obsessive friendship with Rose and will do anything to keep that friendship. What happens next is actually quite horrific. To say anymore I would be giving away the story. But what starts out as a sweet charming read about the life on an Australian farm soon turns electrifying and terrifying towards the middle of the book.
If you like the classics I think you’ll love this book, it has all that old fashioned charm and flavor mixed with twist and messy turns. A must read for book lovers.
February 6, 2022
Very interesting story of 2 cousins who are best friends that involves a love triangle and mental illness. Based on a true story, this takes place in Australia. Anna has a way of manipulating things to get her way. James is caught in her snare and forced to give up his life dream to do the right thing. Rose is recently widowed and returns to Sugar Alexandria to heal. As the story progresses so does Anna’s illness until she finally breaks with reality. I found myself rooting for James and his desires. Rose has a handicap but James overlooks it. Great ending as we find out what actually transpires in their future. I did find that I frequently had to look up the definition of words used.
August 5, 2024
This is not Thorn Birds. Thorn Birds was well written. This is a mess. Nominated for a Pulitzer Prize? HA!
Terrible.
Terrible.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 665 reviews