Where the River Ends

by Robyn Lee Burrows

A story of enduring love and remarkable courage in the outback. Early morning was the time Roxy liked most of all. There was a calmness, a stillness about the river, the water stretching away glass-like, bathed in a thin mist. Paddles foamed the surface and with each thrust she imagined herself being drawn closer to the unknown... Roxy: Beautiful, cultured and talented, she forsakes a promising stage career for marriage and station life at Wirra Downs. But life in Adelaide's social classes could never have prepared her for the dust, the isolation, the floods, the shearers' strikes. She will need more than love to sustain her... Martin: Roxy's husband and the man with whom she wants to spend her life. But sometimes fate has a cruel way of making its own choices... Guy: Paddle-steamer captain and Martin's brother, his forbidden love for Roxy is his great torment. Only the river can help him escape from this love and from his past...

From the author of When Hope is Strong comes a story of enduring love and remarkable courage which captures perfectly the romance and majesty of the era of the river.

Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

Reviews

[Chelsea Pinkard · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars – Yes it felt like an All The Rivers Run rip-off but in the best way! I mean, the similarities in some aspects were so on point you can just tell the author was a fan, but they still spun an engaging story that was different enough to not leave me feeling bored. This really felt like a soap opera though with the amount of character deaths, and yet despite the fact that I’m not usually a soap opera fan I did finish this feeling pretty satisfied with the ending. I wish I’d written this review closer to when I finished the book though because I feel like I’ve forgotten a heap of details I wanted to comment on, but oh well. I’ll never – NEVER – turn down an Aussie paddlesteamer romance! <3

[Claire Louisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this read, love, tragedy and life on the land. I learnt a lot about some of Australia's history in the late 1890's, about the unions and the strikes. I was interested to learn how big a roll barges and paddle steamers played in the transportation of just about everything. I was loath to put this book down after each reading session

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in the late 19th century in South Australia, the book tells the story of the Dumas family and their sheep station alongside a river. Riverboats and shearing and the trials that go along with it, including the obligatory romance make this a hard to put down historical novel.

[Jill Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another wonderful example of Robyn's work. The imagery of the bustling city of Adelaide in 1889 through to the vast expanse of station life at Wirra Downs near Bourke in New South Wales is so vivid, if you close your eyes, you could be there. Adelaide, with a picturesque harbour and picnic spots, ideal for the whirlwind courtship our heroine Roxy is drawn into. Martin Dumas is on a trip to the city to purchase a herd of sheep to drive north to his large station property Wirra Downs. He certainly doesn't intend to fall in love, or to ask the strong willed stage actress Roxy, to be his bride. I will always remember the scene when Martin finally reveals his true feelings to Roxy, on the pier. A hat floating on water will always conjure up the notion of true love blossoming. They marry soon after Martin's proposal, due to his commitment to travel north. Roxy leaves behind a promising career on the boards to travel to her new home.

Martin's brother Guy owns a paddle steamer, working the Murray River. The river takes on a life of its own as the source of trade and lifeblood to towns along it's bank. Guy grudgingly agrees to take Roxy to Wirra Downs. During the journey up the Murray to her new home, it becomes perilous, as flood changes the voyage from a peaceful jaunt, to a race against time. Roxy enjoys the journey but not Guy's company. The only complication, other than her new brother-in-laws belligerence, Roxy discovers, is her mother-in-law’s determined grip over Martin and the land. Maggie is unwilling to relinquish her newfound freedom after her husband Gerald's death the year before. Roxy has yet to discover the "Ghosts" of Wirra Downs and how they affect the lives of the people living there.

The best accolade I can give this book is simply this. I couldn't put it down once I started it! This is a true testament to a good story and strong characters that hold the readers attention. Robyn's next book is soon to be released and I look forward to getting a copy as soon as it hits the bookshop shelves.

[Aileen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, it was full of highs and lows, showing us that life isn't all smooth sailing. The ending was a happy one, one that was needed with all the tragedy that had happened. It made me cry a few times too.
I love books that are about this era, the turn of the century and the Murray River. The Murray River for me holds its own type of romance and adventure, reading these types of books about it takes me away from today's hustle and bustle and into a world that was hard but filled with unknown adventure, trials and tribulations. The first book that I read about the Murray River was All the Rivers Run and I have been in love with books about it ever since.

[Shelley Des Forges · Rating 5 out of 5]

A surprisingly good read! I really enjoyed the depiction of the toughness of the outback and how it informed the lives of those trying to make a living. all the characters were very compelling. Grat to see some really strong female characters!

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was hard to put down. Beautifully written and very believable

[Thore Mertens · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ich habe bei der 400.sten Seite abgebrochen lange nicht mehr ein so langweiliges Buch gelesen.