Forefathers

by Nancy Cato

Two centuries of Australian history are chronicled in a story that ranges from the earliest days of transported convicts to the events of the twentieth century

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical, Novels, Australia

686 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 1982

About the author

Nancy Fotheringham Cato AM (11 March 1917 – 3 July 2000) was an Australian writer who published more than twenty historical novels, biographies and volumes of poetry. Cato is also known for her work campaigning on environmental and conservation issues.

Cato was born in Glen Osmond in South Australia, and was a fifth-generation Australian. She studied English Literature and Italian at the University of Adelaide, graduating in 1939, then completed a two-year course at the South Australian School of Arts. She was a cadet journalist on The News from 1935 to 1941, and as an art critic from 1957 to 1958.[2]
Cato married Eldred De Bracton Norman, and travelled extensively overseas with him. They had one daughter and two sons.[1] Dr Nancy Cato Norman died at Noosa Heads on 3 July 2000.
Cato's cousin was also named Nancy Cato and was host of children's TV show the Magic Circle Club in the mid 1960s.

Reviews

[Sonia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thought I'd never finish it!!! Very long and the ending had a surprise that set it up to continue longer. The book reminded me of James Michener's books - spanning many years and many generations. There are places that were slow and the last part about race cars was boring to me.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book went on far too long especially the end chapters about racing cars. Very boring and should have been left out. I skipped to the last page in the end. The beginning of the book was good though.

[Greg Stragnell · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is not a book I would have picked up but it was lying around and I was between reads, I guess. Still, this was enjoyable - a sweeping "epic" tracing several generations of a family in Australia from the early white arrivals to the 20th century.

[Juanita · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't think she handled the scope of this book very well. It became too bogged down in places.