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Absolution Creek
In 1923 nineteen-year-old Jack Manning watches the construction of the mighty Harbour Bridge and dreams of being more than just a grocer’s son. So when he’s offered the chance to manage Absolution Creek, a sheep property 800 miles from Sydney, he seizes the opportunity.
But outback life is tough, particularly if you’re young, inexperienced and have only a few textbooks to guide you. Then a thirteen-year-old girl, Squib Hamilton, quite literally washes up on his doorstep – setting in motion a devastating chain of events…
Forty years later and Cora Hamilton is waging a constant battle to keep Absolution Creek in business. She’s ostracized by the local community and hindered by her inability to move on from the terrible events of her past, which haunt her both physically and emotionally.
Only one man knows what really happened in 1923. A dying man who is riding towards Absolution Creek, seeking his own salvation…
From the gleaming foreshores of Sydney Harbour to the vast Australian outback, this is a story of betrayal and redemption and of an enduring love which defies even death.
But outback life is tough, particularly if you’re young, inexperienced and have only a few textbooks to guide you. Then a thirteen-year-old girl, Squib Hamilton, quite literally washes up on his doorstep – setting in motion a devastating chain of events…
Forty years later and Cora Hamilton is waging a constant battle to keep Absolution Creek in business. She’s ostracized by the local community and hindered by her inability to move on from the terrible events of her past, which haunt her both physically and emotionally.
Only one man knows what really happened in 1923. A dying man who is riding towards Absolution Creek, seeking his own salvation…
From the gleaming foreshores of Sydney Harbour to the vast Australian outback, this is a story of betrayal and redemption and of an enduring love which defies even death.
511 pages, ebook
First published September 3, 2012
18 people are currently reading
362 people want to read
About the author
Nicole Alexander
36 books189 followersNicole Alexander is the author of eleven novels: The Bark Cutters, A Changing Land, Absolution Creek, Sunset Ridge, The Great Plains, Wild Lands, River Run, An Uncommon Woman, Stone Country, The Cedar Tree and The Last Station.
The Limestone Road will be published March 2025.
Awards: The Bark Cutters - short-listed for an Australian Book Industry Award.
Non-fiction includes;
Poetry: Divertissements: Love. War. Society. - a Anthologies: Dear Mum / Great Australian Writers
Nicole lives in north-west NSW, Australia
The Limestone Road will be published March 2025.
Awards: The Bark Cutters - short-listed for an Australian Book Industry Award.
Non-fiction includes;
Poetry: Divertissements: Love. War. Society. - a Anthologies: Dear Mum / Great Australian Writers
Nicole lives in north-west NSW, Australia
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
March 16, 2015
The Author defiantly has a passion and knowledge for the rural life and the land, and it shines through into her storytelling. Even the little details such as the weather, animals, dust and the creek, all play such a significant part in the characters development; whether they will succeed or not, and their test of strength and willpower in the fight to make Absolution Creek profitable. Farming life is a very harsh life and it bought out the true qualities of these characters, whether good or bad, and I was surprised to see who embraced this life (in particular Sam).
However Scrubbers character seemed a bit out of sort and fuzzy and I couldn’t quite keep track of his movements throughout the course of the book/plot. I don’t think enough was said of his past and I wanted more on what made him ‘tick’. As I got to know how he fits in to the whole picture, his actions didn’t seem match his personality – it was like I was reading two different people. I understand that the writer wanted to add a sense of mystery to him but it didn’t seem to work for me
I was a fascinated by the start to the book with all the historical fact and the way of life in the 1920 and in particular the debate on the construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. I did the bridge climb last year and our guide gave us a rundown of the construction, but I didn’t even consider what it would be like for the residences and business down below whose homes were in the way of the construction and how this will affect their life and future.
This book was a very large book, with many characters and the time period shifting back and forth. With a book this length it really need to captivate me the right way through. However I found myself losing interest in parts as there were chapters and point of views from side characters that I don’t believe added any significance to the plot.
I do believe the book could've been shortened but otherwise it was a decent book with a satisfying ending.
However Scrubbers character seemed a bit out of sort and fuzzy and I couldn’t quite keep track of his movements throughout the course of the book/plot. I don’t think enough was said of his past and I wanted more on what made him ‘tick’. As I got to know how he fits in to the whole picture, his actions didn’t seem match his personality – it was like I was reading two different people. I understand that the writer wanted to add a sense of mystery to him but it didn’t seem to work for me
I was a fascinated by the start to the book with all the historical fact and the way of life in the 1920 and in particular the debate on the construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. I did the bridge climb last year and our guide gave us a rundown of the construction, but I didn’t even consider what it would be like for the residences and business down below whose homes were in the way of the construction and how this will affect their life and future.
This book was a very large book, with many characters and the time period shifting back and forth. With a book this length it really need to captivate me the right way through. However I found myself losing interest in parts as there were chapters and point of views from side characters that I don’t believe added any significance to the plot.
I do believe the book could've been shortened but otherwise it was a decent book with a satisfying ending.
April 16, 2014
Thanks to Random House Australia for this ARC. *This is an uncorrected proof copy so some alterations may have been made to the final release version.
*May contain spoilers*
"Chapter 1: "absolution n.1. the act of absolving; release from consequences, obligations, or penalties."
Set during the uncertain times of high unemployment and the beginnings of the [in some quarters] controversial construction of the Sydney Harbour bridge.
This is a great Australian saga about a man fleeing the lack of prospects and general hardship of life in 1920's Sydney, for the rural life of a property holder, and a chance at bettering himself and planning a future with his prospective fiancé.
At a time when property owners were making a fortune "off the sheep's' back", Jack Manning made a decision to change his fortune.
I really enjoyed this "huge" historical saga by Nicole Alexander and believe she has the potential to be up there with the best of the writers in this genre.
If I had one criticism to make, it would be to note that with the flipping between time frames I very often got my James's and Jacks' confused (literally) which was very frustrating as they are main characters, and this slowed my progress by [unfortunately] interrupting the continuity of what was a great story in the making...although not enough to totally put me off, it did cost it.
I think, given the circumstances of their similar roles and involvement in the story, the author might have considered a different name for one of these suitors... Or is that just me? It could be just a personal thing but for me it was the difference between a good book and a great book. With a book this size continuity is of paramount importance to keep the reader engaged as well as informed.
I did however, like the way the chapter title and date is printed at the top of each page and hope that this has remained a feature in the final release. This served to remind me at a glance of what particular timeframe I was in, given that they were both set in the early to mid 1900's, and saved me flipping pages to the beginning of the chapter to find out. (Often an issue with big books.)
Having said that, I did enjoy this book immensely and am already recommending it and this author to my friends. I also look forward to reading more books by Nicole Alexander.
I loved her rapport with the land and her animals...A great story! 4★s.
*May contain spoilers*
"Chapter 1: "absolution n.1. the act of absolving; release from consequences, obligations, or penalties."
Set during the uncertain times of high unemployment and the beginnings of the [in some quarters] controversial construction of the Sydney Harbour bridge.
This is a great Australian saga about a man fleeing the lack of prospects and general hardship of life in 1920's Sydney, for the rural life of a property holder, and a chance at bettering himself and planning a future with his prospective fiancé.
At a time when property owners were making a fortune "off the sheep's' back", Jack Manning made a decision to change his fortune.
I really enjoyed this "huge" historical saga by Nicole Alexander and believe she has the potential to be up there with the best of the writers in this genre.
If I had one criticism to make, it would be to note that with the flipping between time frames I very often got my James's and Jacks' confused (literally) which was very frustrating as they are main characters, and this slowed my progress by [unfortunately] interrupting the continuity of what was a great story in the making...although not enough to totally put me off, it did cost it.
I think, given the circumstances of their similar roles and involvement in the story, the author might have considered a different name for one of these suitors... Or is that just me? It could be just a personal thing but for me it was the difference between a good book and a great book. With a book this size continuity is of paramount importance to keep the reader engaged as well as informed.
I did however, like the way the chapter title and date is printed at the top of each page and hope that this has remained a feature in the final release. This served to remind me at a glance of what particular timeframe I was in, given that they were both set in the early to mid 1900's, and saved me flipping pages to the beginning of the chapter to find out. (Often an issue with big books.)
Having said that, I did enjoy this book immensely and am already recommending it and this author to my friends. I also look forward to reading more books by Nicole Alexander.
I loved her rapport with the land and her animals...A great story! 4★s.
September 26, 2012
Great storyline, however I felt it was a little long and drawn out. I found it hard at first keeping up with all the different characters that were being introduced and how they related to each other and the story. Great to see Wangallon Station getting a mention :) and was also surprised at "Scrubbers" identity. Overall a great story which highlighted the struggles of life in the 1920's and how some things hadn't yet changed in the 60's - especially with relation to indigenous Australians.
January 7, 2013
One man lost her. One man died for her. One man would kill for her …
The Blurb
“In 1923 nineteen-year-old Jack Manning watches the construction of the mighty Harbour Bridge and dreams of being more than just a grocer’s son. So when he’s offered the chance to manage Absolution Creek, a sheep property 800 miles from Sydney, he seizes the opportunity.
But outback life is tough, particularly if you’re young, inexperienced and have only a few textbooks to guide you. Then a thirteen-year-old girl, Squib Hamilton, quite literally washes up on his doorstep – setting in motion a devastating chain of events.
Forty years later and Cora Hamilton is waging a constant battle to keep Absolution Creek in business. She’s ostracised by the local community and hindred by her inability to move on from the terrible events of her past, which haunt her both physically and emotionally.
Only one man knows what really happened in 1923. A dying man who is riding towards Absolution Creek, seeking his own salvation …”
I wish to thank both the Publisher, http://www.randomhouse.com.au and The Reading Room for providing me with a hard copy of this novel.
Summary
Jack Manning wishes there was more to his life than being just the son of a grocer and dreams of a life better than the inherent prospect of one day owning the business his father will leave behind. An accident sees the early passing of his father, and the intervention of their elderly next door neighbour – to whom Jack has always shown kindness – sees Jack being given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity - to run Absolution Creek, 700 miles from Sydney.
With the forced acquisition of a large amount of Sydney homes and businesses taking place to make way for the building of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the resultant displacement of many residents, Jack grasps this opportunity with great excitement and heads out, promising to send for the love of his life, Olive who comes from a wealthier family than him – this is his one hope of making a better life for himself, thereby allowing him to rid himself of his lower-class status.
Then the waif, Squib, quite literally washes up on his doorstep, setting in motion life-changing events and we see that life doesn't always go according to our plan!
With the book shifting between Jack in 1923 and Cora in 1965, we see Jack constantly battling to tame a brutal land with only a handful of books as his teachers and Cora awaiting the arrival of her niece – a final chance at revenge on her step-sister. The lone rider too, begins his journey.
My Thoughts
Definition of absolution (take from oxforddictionaries.com)
“noun
• formal release from guilt, obligation, or punishment”
I found Cora’s character to be well-developed and extremely strong, quite capably managing to raise my hackles! I really did not like her, but as the story progressed, Nicole Alexander managed to draw on my sympathy towards the young girl that Cora once was and the heartbreaking events which took place at the hands of her step-sister, leading her to Jack and Absolution Creek and ultimately the life she was meant to live. And, although I like to think of myself as quite a forgiving person, believing that “hate” is a strong word, I did feel that Cora’s bitterness and caustic treatment of her step-sister was rather well-deserved, due to the heartbreak she experienced and the life and family she could never regain.
I enjoyed Jack’s character and whilst I felt he was a bit shallow at times in his treatment of Olive, a girl he was supposedly in love with, he was rather focused on the job he had been employed to do, and totally redeemed himself in my eyes with his treatment of and loyalty to Squib.
Olive’s character, of course, appears to be typical of that time period with her coming across as particularly needy and weak – but maybe that too has something to do with the cards that life dealt her!
The culmination of events which unfold in the last quarter of the book including the revelations made by “Scrubber” all add to the mystery surrounding Cora’s “inheritance” of Absolution Creek. Of course, the revelation of “Scrubber’s” true identity came as a shock to me as, throughout most of the book, I had difficulty keeping up with his character and trying to tie him in to the story. His final revelation to the reader will astound you and make you wonder if he truly realised the consequences his initial action would have on so many people’s lives.
Whilst Cora doesn’t get to hear the “whole” truth, thankfully with the third person narrative, we as reader get to learn the full story!
All in all, I found this to be a well-structured story with a very satisfying climax resulting in a plot where all the elements of love, betrayal, hatred, deception, jealousy and redemption are strongly entwined.
This is a fairly lengthy book and the first that I have read by Nicole Alexander. Although I really struggled with it due to the number of characters the author introduces, the alternating time periods of 1923 and 1965 and trying to tie all the characters together, I will most definitely read more from her.
The historical facts are fascinating – perhaps because I have only lived here for 4 years and am still learning a lot about my adopted country – but perhaps too because my former homeland (South Africa) and Australia share a history rich in colonialism and a landscape equally diverse. Being a fourth generation grazier, Nicole Alexander knows the land, and her vivid representations of the outback have me wanting to carry out one of my dreams – to visit Outback Australia and be present on a stock muster! Needless to say, I can still smell the dust!
This was also the first of my long list of books to read for the Australian Women Writers’ Challenge 2013, http://australianwomenwriters.com.
The Blurb
“In 1923 nineteen-year-old Jack Manning watches the construction of the mighty Harbour Bridge and dreams of being more than just a grocer’s son. So when he’s offered the chance to manage Absolution Creek, a sheep property 800 miles from Sydney, he seizes the opportunity.
But outback life is tough, particularly if you’re young, inexperienced and have only a few textbooks to guide you. Then a thirteen-year-old girl, Squib Hamilton, quite literally washes up on his doorstep – setting in motion a devastating chain of events.
Forty years later and Cora Hamilton is waging a constant battle to keep Absolution Creek in business. She’s ostracised by the local community and hindred by her inability to move on from the terrible events of her past, which haunt her both physically and emotionally.
Only one man knows what really happened in 1923. A dying man who is riding towards Absolution Creek, seeking his own salvation …”
I wish to thank both the Publisher, http://www.randomhouse.com.au and The Reading Room for providing me with a hard copy of this novel.
Summary
Jack Manning wishes there was more to his life than being just the son of a grocer and dreams of a life better than the inherent prospect of one day owning the business his father will leave behind. An accident sees the early passing of his father, and the intervention of their elderly next door neighbour – to whom Jack has always shown kindness – sees Jack being given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity - to run Absolution Creek, 700 miles from Sydney.
With the forced acquisition of a large amount of Sydney homes and businesses taking place to make way for the building of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the resultant displacement of many residents, Jack grasps this opportunity with great excitement and heads out, promising to send for the love of his life, Olive who comes from a wealthier family than him – this is his one hope of making a better life for himself, thereby allowing him to rid himself of his lower-class status.
Then the waif, Squib, quite literally washes up on his doorstep, setting in motion life-changing events and we see that life doesn't always go according to our plan!
With the book shifting between Jack in 1923 and Cora in 1965, we see Jack constantly battling to tame a brutal land with only a handful of books as his teachers and Cora awaiting the arrival of her niece – a final chance at revenge on her step-sister. The lone rider too, begins his journey.
My Thoughts
Definition of absolution (take from oxforddictionaries.com)
“noun
• formal release from guilt, obligation, or punishment”
I found Cora’s character to be well-developed and extremely strong, quite capably managing to raise my hackles! I really did not like her, but as the story progressed, Nicole Alexander managed to draw on my sympathy towards the young girl that Cora once was and the heartbreaking events which took place at the hands of her step-sister, leading her to Jack and Absolution Creek and ultimately the life she was meant to live. And, although I like to think of myself as quite a forgiving person, believing that “hate” is a strong word, I did feel that Cora’s bitterness and caustic treatment of her step-sister was rather well-deserved, due to the heartbreak she experienced and the life and family she could never regain.
I enjoyed Jack’s character and whilst I felt he was a bit shallow at times in his treatment of Olive, a girl he was supposedly in love with, he was rather focused on the job he had been employed to do, and totally redeemed himself in my eyes with his treatment of and loyalty to Squib.
Olive’s character, of course, appears to be typical of that time period with her coming across as particularly needy and weak – but maybe that too has something to do with the cards that life dealt her!
The culmination of events which unfold in the last quarter of the book including the revelations made by “Scrubber” all add to the mystery surrounding Cora’s “inheritance” of Absolution Creek. Of course, the revelation of “Scrubber’s” true identity came as a shock to me as, throughout most of the book, I had difficulty keeping up with his character and trying to tie him in to the story. His final revelation to the reader will astound you and make you wonder if he truly realised the consequences his initial action would have on so many people’s lives.
Whilst Cora doesn’t get to hear the “whole” truth, thankfully with the third person narrative, we as reader get to learn the full story!
All in all, I found this to be a well-structured story with a very satisfying climax resulting in a plot where all the elements of love, betrayal, hatred, deception, jealousy and redemption are strongly entwined.
This is a fairly lengthy book and the first that I have read by Nicole Alexander. Although I really struggled with it due to the number of characters the author introduces, the alternating time periods of 1923 and 1965 and trying to tie all the characters together, I will most definitely read more from her.
The historical facts are fascinating – perhaps because I have only lived here for 4 years and am still learning a lot about my adopted country – but perhaps too because my former homeland (South Africa) and Australia share a history rich in colonialism and a landscape equally diverse. Being a fourth generation grazier, Nicole Alexander knows the land, and her vivid representations of the outback have me wanting to carry out one of my dreams – to visit Outback Australia and be present on a stock muster! Needless to say, I can still smell the dust!
This was also the first of my long list of books to read for the Australian Women Writers’ Challenge 2013, http://australianwomenwriters.com.
December 5, 2012
As a fourth generation grazier, Nicole Alexander writes what she knows, sweeping sagas set in Australia's rural farming land. Absolution Creek is her third novel, with dual narratives set in 1923 and 1965.
Jack Manning is eager to escape the family run grocery store in Sydney's grimy city streets and make his fortune so when a kindly neighbour offers him the opportunity to make a living on the land he jumps at the chance. Promising to send for his sweetheart, Olive, in a few months, Jack sets off to Absolution Creek determined to establish New South Wales finest station. With only a few books to guide him he purchases sheep and begins the arduous task of taming the bush.
More than forty years later, as an old man begins his journey from southern Queensland in search of redemption, Cora chases a wild pig from the banks of Absolution Creek in the predawn light and considers the imminent arrival of the niece she has never met, and her plan for revenge against the step sister who destroyed her family.
Initially the shift between timelines is quite disorientating as the characters seem entirely unrelated but as the narrative unfolds revealing the past and present, the stunning connections between Jack, Scrubber, Cora slowly begins to emerge. Three quarters of the way through the lengthy book I was tempted to complain about the sheer crowd of characters but as the book concludes each finds a path that adds to the depth of the plot. It was Squib's, and later Cora's, story I found most intriguing though, as the epicenter for novel's story.
The historical details in the novel are fascinating, beginning with the forced acquisition of homes and businesses to make way for the construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, I can barely imagine the city without the iconic structure in place. I was also unfamiliar with the story of the ram featured on our fifty cent piece, (I am sure I have mentioned it before but Australian history was completely neglected when I was at school and I am constantly amazed at what I am finally learning through fiction) which I found interesting. At least I know a little about the hard work it took (and still takes) to farm in rural Australia and I felt Alexander's portrayal of the life authentic.
Absolution Creek is a complex tale of love, betrayal, jealousy, murder and revenge. I found it to be an absorbing read and I'd recommend Absolution Creek to fans of both historical fiction and the rural lit/romance genres. I am only sorry it took it's time making it's way to the top of my reading list.
February 28, 2015
I didn't mind this story but I did find it it a bit tricky to keep track of the characters and storyline because of the swapping back and forwards between 1920's and 1960's. Add in the fact that some have nicknames and then sometimes I wasn't quite sure of who I was reading about. I'm not usually that easily confused but this one managed to do it from time to time which took the edge off the book for me a tad. Still a good story though and quite a shock to read about the rather savage way people lost their homes and businesses to make way for Sydney Harbour Bridge. That was nasty. Still a worthwhile read.
Read
July 31, 2013I really tried with this one but I simply couldn't get into it. Maybe it was more because I was not feeling well than the book itself, but it seemed to me to hop around all over the place. In the end I gave up.
September 18, 2013
Yet another good read. Thank you Nicole.
November 1, 2017
Lots a twists in this story, I read late into the night to find the answers
November 8, 2022
Well it’s a first for me of this style of a story .And a first time reading something by this Author.I love that it started out in Sydney and what happened to those that were affected by the building of Sydney Harbour Bridge and the sadness of those that had to move away from friends and family the turmoil that it created .A new adventure for some moving away from everyone they know to start a new life in outback of Australia and the love of the land they find .True to Australians as trying to help another battler as well as helping themselves without realising it .Love the characters and where the story was going I did get just a little confused at times Between a few of the characters but it all came good at one point and realised .Was a great lead up to the ending but it didn’t quiet go the way I think it should of and there could of been maybe another chapter or two to say what happened to Meg after the move and what Cora and James would live happy ever after or ,if they both got what they were looking for .
October 7, 2018
Wow, wow, wow! I did not pick that ending!
Honestly don’t know how I missed it, what a great read! Usually with a book that tells the parallel of pst to present you can pick how it all folds together, this one I didn’t, and it’s not auntie the last couple of chapters that the reader actually finds out! I loved this book and couldn’t put it down! A nice light read about revenge, love of the land, resisting love and fate and letting go! Highly recommend this book!!
Honestly don’t know how I missed it, what a great read! Usually with a book that tells the parallel of pst to present you can pick how it all folds together, this one I didn’t, and it’s not auntie the last couple of chapters that the reader actually finds out! I loved this book and couldn’t put it down! A nice light read about revenge, love of the land, resisting love and fate and letting go! Highly recommend this book!!
February 26, 2020
I enjoyed this book but it was a little tricky going from the sixties back to the twenties all the time and trying to remember which character is whom and how they fit into the story.
A wonderful tale of the hard existence faced by the early settlers of this country.
A wonderful tale of the hard existence faced by the early settlers of this country.
October 27, 2021
I found this book very hard to get into and follow. However, as I got further into it it became more interesting. Really enjoyed it towards the end. Really pleased I perservered with it and finished it.
July 23, 2019
Loved the different timelines and mysteries
January 1, 2021
I love Nicole Alexander's books. Her storytelling really transports you to a time long since past with an authentic narrative. This was a particularly heartwarming tale of hardship and success.
April 15, 2025
Not a fan of moving between different times and this book does this each chapter.
Well written but not something I really enjoyed
Well written but not something I really enjoyed
December 12, 2015
I loved this book, it had me thinking. The book begins in North Sydney, NSW just as the government is preparing to build the Sydney Harbour bridge. The two key characters here are from different sectors of society, the poor and the rich. That author does a great job of showing the two classes of city dweller. Then the story moves to outback Australia, we see just how harsh and different outback life can be in those days with the story continuing in the 1920s as well as the 1940s. We experience characters from the city and outback, the poor and rich, and greedy. The reader gets to choose who is good and who is bad and who is hard done by. But is it really that simple? And what on earth is the story behind our modern day Cora Hamilton ?
September 4, 2018
Another great story from Nicole Alexander. In 1923 houses had to be demolished to make way to build the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The lives of these people changed. Jack Manning's family had the grocery store when circumstances changed so his neighbour offered him a chance to take over some land eight hundred miles north west, where people were going to make money 'on the sheep's back'. Olive was from a privileged family who would not have approved of her keeping company with someone from the lower class. Jack Manning found Squib near a creek, washed up by a flood. Squib grows up to be Cora and buys a stud merino ram whose head is on the 1938 shilling coin. Quite a few characters come into the story and each one adds interest to the book. The story jumps from 1923 to 1965.
March 30, 2014
This one is for my Australian authors list - and it was just OK for me. Starting out in 1920's Sydney, then jumping forward to the 1960's, but out in the bush, this story jumps back and forth between the 1920's and the 1960's on a very regular and disorienting basis. It is not as though I did not like the characters. They were interesting. Unfortunately, just as I was getting into the groove of the time period and the character, boom! Time travel. All the rest would be spoilers, so I'll just leave it.
June 27, 2016
Although the book had a good description and an interesting structure the end of the book was to unrealistic. The book accurately described Australian bush life, Sydney in the 1920s and discrimination towards Aboriginal people. However the author failed to write the characters convincingly enough for me to relate to them. Most of all, the ending of the book was to melodramatic. To many unrealistic things happened. Why do some authors think that the end of the book needs to be completly unbelievable?
September 27, 2013
After reading The Bark Cutters and A Changing Land, I think I had high expectations for this book. It was a great read, but I'm still more of a fan of the Gordon saga. I think the only character who didn't annoy me in some way was James. All through the book Scrubber gave the impression of being 'Mr nice guy', but then right at the end we find out he's just a total coward all along. This did infuriate me a little, but overall the author tells the story well.
October 29, 2012
I was really surprised by this book. I went to a talk by the Author and made an incorrect assumption! It was a gritty book and although it skipped back and forth between the decades I still found it easy to follow the story and couldn't put it down! Well done Nicole Alexander! Going back now to read the Bark Cutters (her first book).
June 7, 2015
Nicole Alexander really knows the countryside and culture of the Australian bush. I was quickly drawn in to the story and found the characters well developed. The storyline was interesting with enough twists and turns to keep me intrigued until the end. I still want to know what happened to Olive and Thomas.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 13, 2016
Aww...so good! Once you get the hang of it jumping from on year 1924 to another year 1965 in the way story is told you can't put this book down...had me intrigued..Written based on the Australian earlier times..starts off in Sydney then takes you out to the outback bit of romance thrown in..hard times, survival of the toughest...Loved it...
February 13, 2013
A decent read but for the first half of the book I found the structure of the novel with alternating chapters from different time periods hard to grapple with. It took a bit of persevering but the wrap up at the conclusion was quite satisfying.
May 15, 2014
My least favourite of Nicole Alexander's book as I didn't find the book uplifting. As always it is set in the beautiful Australian outback. It is about struggle, survival, hardship and relationships.
August 20, 2015
Like other readers I found this book a bit hard to follow originally with it hopping between the 20's and 60's but enjoyed it once I got all the characters sorted out and The different time periods. A good ending in all.
November 4, 2012
A bit of a struggle and I didn't really enjoy it. Too long and I found the introduction of characters with no explanation confusing.
March 2, 2013
Enjoyed the descriptions as well as the twists and turns but the pace was quite slow which made it a hard story to really 'get into'.
June 27, 2013
Won this one too, lucky me! A really good yarn set in the Australian bush in 1920s and 1960s. My first by Alexander and my first in this setting - won't be my last am sure :)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews