The House at Salvation Creek

by Susan Duncan

Continuing the story of Susan Duncan's much-loved memoir, Salvation Creek , this book picks up after Bob and Susan marry and, two years later, move from her Tin Shed into his "pale yellow house on the high, rough hill," Tarrangaua, built for the iconic Australian poet, Dorothea Mackellar. Set against the backdrop of the small, close-knit Pittwater community with its colorful characters and quirky history, this story is about what happens when you open the door to life, adventure, and love. But it's also about mothers and daughters, as Susan confronts her mother's new frailty and her own role in what has always been a difficult relationship. Where Salvation Creek was about mortality—living life in the face of death— The House is about stepping outside your comfort zone and embracing challenges, at any age. In turn funny and moving, Susan Duncan's beautifully written sequel reminds us to honor what matters in life, and to disregard what really doesn't.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Memoir, Australia

400 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Susan Elizabeth Duncan was an Australian author, journalist and editor of The Australian Women's Weekly and New Idea.

Reviews

[Chris Waterford · Rating 2 out of 5]

After loving "Salvation Creek" I was pleased to see this book start off in a similar open, honest way. However, not far into the book, it became a recording of neighbourhood events---flowers planted (and eaten by kangaroos), cakes cooked, the daily adventures of the dogs, moving houses and researching the history of the house. All of some interest to a limited audience---but lacking the spark and emotional gravitas of the original.
5.5/10

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a continuation of Salvation Creek, this book continues the life of Susan Duncan in her life post cancer. It was beautifully written and a book that reminded me how wonderful the small things in our everyday lives should be cherished and enjoyed. Friends, family, love and food!

[Kim · Rating 1 out of 5]

Did not enjoy. Felt more like a 'cash-in' on book one. I also started not to like the author. I do admire her honesty.

[Maggie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very disappointing. The first book was definitely better, and seemed to have more purpose. Although this book explored who the architect of Dorothy McKellar's house may have been, it wasn't a particularly interesting issue for me, and to be honest I dont really mind who it was. I found this book to have less purpose and consequently was much less interesting. Didnt hold my interest, skimmed parts.

[Toni Umar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Susan Duncan has an amazing writing style that really captures the imagination. Although this is not a novel, it is true life, which shows what an amazing writer she is. I couldn't wait for 'reading time' each night to escape into the adventures Susan and Bob shared. Looking forward to book three!

[Pauline · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting read. Pittwater sounds like a lovely place to visit. Did her husband have a dictionary of platitudes to quote every time she spoke to him?
(Sadly) You will never want to eat cake again.

[Lesley Moseley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really did enjoy this Book. Much cheerier, (understandably) than the first book . Written over a decade ago, but seems very 'now'.. Benefits of a lovely life.

[Samantha Diplock · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had some interesting parts but there were also a few pages where I struggled to stay focused. It wasn’t as good as ‘Salvation Creek’ but still provided some interesting insights into the lives of Susan and Bob and their friends at Pittwater.

[Helen Windle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely, relaxing story of life in Tarrangaua, a water access only house near Pittwater in Sydney.

[Sarah Herft · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good read as a follow up to Salvation Creek, but not as engaging as it's prequel

[Els · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read Salvation Creek first and this one was a little bit disappointing, almost seemed like an afterthought. Still, I read the whole book, it wasn’t all bad,

[Leonie Recz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Did enjoy the history of this Sydney landmark and central coast surrounds. In a bit of a reading slump so took way too long for me to finish, not the fault of the writing.

[Bonnie Spink · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed it a great follow up to the first book, it embraces their home, lifestyle and the beautiful surroundings makes you want to live there

[Diego Atterbury · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy read. Disappeared off the radar for a couple years. Enjoyed finishing it off these last couple weeks. Can’t be too critical. I enjoyed the story.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even better the second time!

[Alexandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charming and nicely written; it was more engaging than I expected when I picked it up. I enjoyed the unfolding relationships and events of life in Pittwater.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice enough read but lacked the spark of the first book and I found myself skimming at times

[Sue Gerhardt Griffiths · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a lovely memoir. Susan Duncan is a great storyteller, her words flowed beautifully.
I liked this one as much as the first one and looking forward to reading A Life On Pittwater.

[MsEleanorMae · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listened to as an audio book read by the author Susan Duncan. Duncan whilst not a professional reader was preety good. Both her reading of her story and the story itself was such that I didn't want to put it down. Interesting historical information on Dorethea McKellar, both funny and touching stories about her life on Pittwater and some lovely personal and oh so true reflections on the meaning of life and getting older.

[Bev · Rating 3 out of 5]

An excellent little book which really does stand as a testament to what people are capable of coping with, without the usual decline into melodrama and pathos. You really wish you could sit down, share a bottle of wine and some wonderful lemon cake with this amazingly resilient author. And, oh, did I mention it's always quite a delightful little love story?

[Karen Hunt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Follow up to her first biography, this is less of a novel and more a collection of stories. It doesn’t really have a plot, but is more like sitting and having a chat with someone. Because of that it took me a while to get into it, but by the end I quite liked it – it’s more about a state of being and a mood than a novel.

[Anita · Rating 2 out of 5]

I actually couldn't finish this. I had loved her first book, so found this disappointing. A disjointed collection of anecdotes. Interesting for a perspective on living on Pittwater, but a shame there wasn't a stronger narrative structure to the book, or more compelling reflections. Gave up after about a third of the way in.

[Malvina · Rating 3 out of 5]

A memoir, continuing Susan's story from Salvation Creek, as she marries Bob and settles even more into life at Pittwater. I love the sense of community there; magic for the residents. This book investigates the history of the house Tarrangaua, originally Dorothea McKellar's. Fascinating.

[Jennifer]

The follow-up to 'Salvation Creek': one of the few biographies/autobiographies that I've picked up and become as completely engaged with as I would a novel. I want a tinny!

[Jacqueline Burgin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was remarkable. the author shared her inner-most feelings and followed her dream of living in a remote and beautiful environment and following her heart.

[Teresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellent memoir and interesting info on Dorothy McKellar Aussie poet who built the house and wrote" I love A Sunburnt Country"

[Janelle Cretney · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dull and uneventful

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Susan Duncan is a great (real -life) story teller and I loved this book almost as much as her first. She makes me want to live somewhere I know I wouldn't last a minute!

[Dmareen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read as well but did not enjoy it as much as the 1st in this sequel. It was a bit drawn out in parts.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the Salvation Creek series.