The Cattleman's Daughter

by Rachael Treasure

Born on the rugged Dargo High Plains and raised by her cattleman father, Emily Flanaghan has lost her way in life.

Locked in an unhappy marriage in the suburbs, Emily misses the high country with a fierce ache. To make matters worse, her heritage is under threat. A government bill to evict the mountain cattlemen is about to be passed, and the Flanaghans could be banned from the mountains their family has looked after for generations.

When a terrible accident brings Emily to the brink of death, she realises she must return to the high country to seek a way forward in life; healing herself, her daughters and her land. Along the way, she finds herself falling in love with a man who works for the government - the traditional opposition of the cattlemen - new Parks ranger, Luke Bradshaw. But just as she sees that the land and Luke are the keys to regaining her life, Emily faces losing them both in the greatest challenge of all . . .

Set in the beautiful snowgum country of the Victorian Alps, The Cattleman's Daughter is a haunting and unforgettable tale of love, self-discovery and forgiveness from one of Australia's best-loved authors.

Genres: Romance, Australia, Fiction, Audiobook, Chick Lit, Novels, Contemporary

432 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Rachael Treasure lives in southern rural Tasmania with her two young children. She is passionate about encouraging non-readers to read, inspiring farmers to consider regenerative agricultural practices and animal handlers to better understand their dogs and livestock. She is a graduate of Orange Agricultural College and has a Bachelor of Arts (Communication) from Charles Sturt University, Bathurst. She has worked as a jillaroo, rural journalist, ABC radio broadcaster, professional woolclasser, part-time vet nurse, family farm manager, drover and stock camp cook. She has written 4 novels and a short story collection, all bestsellers.
Follow her on facebook:
www.facebook.com/rach.treasure

Reviews

[Carol Preston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this Aussie drama set in rural town in Victorian Alps. Good insight into the life of cattle men and women. Nice love story but also good, gritty relationship issues. Well written and engaging.

[pollymuz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audiobook. This book is a brilliantly descriptive book, transferring the reader/listener into the high country of Victoria. Thank you Rachael Treasure for this journey.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has to be the best Rachael Treasure book I have read yet. Emily is a cattleman's daughter who has lost sight of who she is and where she belongs. An almost tragic accident brings her life back into focus and she returns to the Victorian high country to heal emotionally and physically. As she reconnects with her ancestors, passion ignites with the meeting of Luke the new park ranger in town. However, cattlemen and the government have never got along - so is their relationship doomed from the beginning. Treasure manages to describe the high country to a tea, and the bush fire drama may strike too close to home to some readers if they were involved in the tragic bush fires in Victoria. Rachael seems to improve with each story she pens and I recommend The Cattleman's Daughter as her best yet!!

[Stacey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sorry Rachael Treasure but this is my least favorite of your books - NOT that I hated it, it just didn't have the spark I have come to expect from your stories. It started out promising and there were moments that saved me from simply putting it in the bookshelf unfinished - but the constant agenda pushing just ruined the story for me. I can understand why it was done but it need not have been so...repetitive. This story really had the potential to captivate but I found myself skipping over sections to get back to the actual story. Just a little disappointed as I really enjoy all of Rachael Treasures other books.

[Sue Gerhardt Griffiths · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Cattleman’s Daughter by Rachael Treasure is one of those books that keep you riveted to the page and is simply impossible to put down.

This momentous novel gives the reader an interesting glimpse into land management, conservation and government bureaucracy. Anyone who adores Ms Treasure’s novels not only gain, on a small-scale, knowledge about the high country graziers but also find themselves locked into a story of romance, intrigue and a journey into the stunning Dargo High Plains. The vivid description of the spectacular Victorian Alps will leave the reader in awe. It’s a location that has been on my bucket list for oh, so long.
As much as I enjoyed Emily and Luke’s story it’s Evie I was drawn to, what a wonderful guiding light she was to Emily. I can always appreciate a tale where we learn a little about the unconventional approach to the healing process.

There’s an energy to Rachael Treasure’s storytelling that exists throughout her books and this one is no exception and will leave the reader feeling uplifted by the end of this fascinating and enlightening tale.

[Judy French · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written, so easy to read. More greenies need to step out of their righteous arrogance and actually understand the positive impacts of sustainable grazing. Stupid city beaurocrats making decisions without respecting generations of cattlemen, farmers etc. The grazers cared for the land with controlled burns, idiots who don't understand and have never worked the land legislated that they stop burns. Look at the bushfires, loss of life and environmental damage done by greenie beaurocrats that think they are saving the land but have no idea - they are actually destroying it.
Love the Emily character looking for ways to educate the unseeing in a logical, calm, balanced way. Loonie vegans like Cassy judging all farming with no clue has so little credibility but does so much damage. We must start listening and give credit to experience. The burn off's by the graziers were likely learned from Aboriginal burn off practices- caring for and maintaining the land that provides the food

[Jackie Rooney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this.. Rachel’s writing is fantastic. Give true hope and belief. Dargo and surrounding are where my family were from in mid 1800’s. So very interesting for my as my ansstors were cattle men and drovers

[Sharna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great story from Treasure- I feel this is the first novel where she starts to bring the sustainable and environmental issues that farmers do deal with up in her writing to showcase these issues to a broader audience in an engaging and informative way.

[Robyn Ball · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely book. Horses are amazing.

[Trena · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second time I have read this book. Just a great read and a learning experience all in one.

[Dianna Applebaum · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, I enjoyed the seven Rachael Treasure's I have listed. They are an easy read and her love of Australian landscapes and outback adventure shines through.

[Rowlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read by Rachael Treasure telling a tale of the life of the Cattlemen and women in the High Country in Victoria and all the hardships and ordeals with their lives.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learnt so much about the High Country - it's management and mis-management. What a great read which mixed fiction with fact, not to mention the many wise words of wisdom throughout!

[Jodi · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favourite so far
And while fiction offers hope for better management after all the fires of 2019/20

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Environmental theme and ghosts from the past.

[Kirsty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Got attached to to characters, was a real journey!

[Cassandra Flynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love the intention behind this book, however so much of this story to read was cringey, these parts really took away the seriousness part of the story which I enjoyed.

[Melanie Tatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy read, fantastic story line. Kept me on the edge of my seat and trying to keep my eyes open to find out what happens!!!!

[Tammy H · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy read

[Nicole Naunton · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was in my street library and although it’s not a book I’d usually read it had a “50 books you can’t put down” sticker on it. Unfortunately it just wasn’t my style so I didn’t finish it.

[Caity Webb · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐

[Heather Robb]

Kindle

[Jess Kiah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rachael Treasure books are generally along the same line but a child read and a good pallet cleanser between reads

[Marion Astridge · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was all about the high country and the cattlemen. A really good read l of adventure,romance and family.

[Kiana Kai · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn't like this one, don't know why just can't put my finger on it. 🤷🏽‍♀️

[Heather Tosh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read, cringe at parts but easy and enjoyable.

[Preet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have fallen in love with Australia and it's all thanks to Rachael Treasure and her books. I can't help but be attracted to the rugged beauty of the land as she describes it. I always thought Australia was settled as a colony by the British and that the aboriginals were maligned and mistreated, but I must admit to being unaware about the history of the land and how some families had lived on it for hundreds of years.

Ms.Treasure writes an engrossing and captivating read about a young woman who has lost herself and finds herself coming home. She returns home with a broken marriage, a shaken self confidence, and two little girls. Emily also comes home to find that a law might be passed that would seriously hamper their livelihood and would put a stop to hundreds year of tradition regarding cattle farming. The face of opposition in Dargo is Luke, the new handsome young officer and representative of the government. Emily can't help but be drawn to him even knowing she's shaky and the fact he's supposed to be the enemy.

My only complaint about this book would be about Clancy, Emily's husband. He appeared in one or two scenes but that was it. There was no mention of a divorce being finalized or him having regrets for his actions, or Emily getting retribution, which I admit, I would have loved to read. But Ms. Treasure more than makes up for it with the inclusion of mysticism. You'd think it'd be silly, but it only serves to emphasize the tie between the past and present and add another layer to the story. I sincerely hope Ms.Treasure keeps writing. It is such a pleasure to read her books.

[Diana Hockley · Rating 3 out of 5]

THE CATTLEMAN’S DAUGHTER

As the daughter of an Australian sheep and cattle farmer (grazier) albeit from northern New South Wales, I appreciated the subject matter of this book - the high country graziers vs the environmentalists.

Many generations of farmers and graziers have followed the practice of cold burning off - or burning the excess grass and foliage - in the off-season (winter and autumn) so that in spring the new growth can come through and there is little or no tinder-dry fuel for bushfires to take a hold. My father - who was the district fire captain - and our neighbours followed this plan all their lives and no one in our district was ever burnt out.

I remember the huge battles between the high country farmers and the Government some years ago and was horrified by the non-cold burn plans which were implemented by parliament. It is obvious that the author loves this part of Australia and the land very much.

Emily is the daughter of a high-country farmer and this novel follows her accident during a traditional horse ride and its aftermath. Shucking off her unfaithful husband, she heads home with her two daughters after coming into contact with Luke - a newly-hatched National Park Ranger.

There's a lot of mystical occurrences in this novel, which I felt were not really necessary to the plot, but the authenticity of the political haggling and the plight of the farmers is well told and interesting.

The romantic parts are not over the top, and all in all, it was a story which kept me reading for a good part of the night.
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[Bronwyn Rykiert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emily Flanagan is disillusioned in her marriage to her philandering truckie husband Clancy and after an accident in which she nearly died she decided to take her daughters and go back to the family cattle farm at Dargo, Victoria. She is ready to become a cattleman but there is trouble looming.

The Government wants to pass a bill to stop the land leases that have been place for over 100 years that has allowed the family to lease government land for cattle grazing. This is a fight the family has fought for a long time. At the same time this controversy is happening Emily finds herself falling for the new Parks Ranger, Luke Bradshaw, who is the enemy in this fight for their land but they rally together to fight a bush fire and that changes everything.

I really loved Rachael’s first 2 books – The Rouseabout (aka The Dare) and Jillaroo (aka River Run Deep), the next book The Stockmen (aka Timeless Land ) was okay and this started out well and overall it was okay but not as good as those first 2. I feel that in this book Rachael had something to say and that’s fine but to me there was too much tied up with the land conservation and the controversy’s there.

[M.A. McRae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rural Australia/romance/adventure, a theme which seems to have quite suddenly made it to 'genre.' I take little notice of what is called 'Women's Fiction' as a rule, but this book - I loved this book, and will look for more from this author. I enjoyed the background, I enjoyed that horses and dogs were also characters, and I enjoyed the scenery. A prevailing theme is the idiocy of trying to run the country from the city, and by bureaucrats who simply do not know what they are doing. Countrymen have begun to despise 'Greenies' for good reason. It ends with a great climax, and a happier ending than happened in fact. Right now, National Parks are still overrun with weeds and feral animals, fire-tracks have been obliterated so that fires burn hotter and more damaging than they used to be when the High Country was used by cattlemen, and people are over-charged for the simple pleasure of visiting parts of our own land that should belong to us all - not to National Parks bureaucracy.