The Silk Merchant's Son

by Peter Burke (Australia)

In 1846, linguistics professor Fabrice Cleriquot is despatched from Lyon to the Swan River Colony, sent away with a box full of silkworms to stop him from bringing more disgrace upon the family. Accompanying him on board the Elizabeth are twenty-eight mismatched and misguided Catholic missionaries including Dom Salvado, who seeks to create a Spanish Benedictine monastery deep in the bush, and the Irish Sisters of Mercy, who are fleeing a dreadful famine.
Given the job of distributing a huge donation from a wealthy benefactress, Fabrice bears witness to the folly of his travelling companions whose presumptuous attempts to rescue the colony and the original inhabitants from themselves, can only lead to tragedy.

Genres: Historical Fiction

402 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 2, 2023

About the author

Peter Burke is a Perth doctor and writer of Western Australian historical fiction, his novels being enjoyed for their filmic quality and humour. Professionally, he divides his time between Murdoch University medical clinic and the hospitals of the Kimberley region of the North West. His first novel, The Drowning Dream, was shortlisted for both the Australian / Vogel Literary Award and the WA Premier’s Book Awards. The Silk Merchant’s Son is his third novel.

Reviews

[Maggie Szabó · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was very much looking forward to reading this book, as about a week after I went to the book launch and bought the book, I went to New Norcia (the subject of the novel) for a writers retreat.
Peter has successfully told this very interesting story from many different points of view and has obviously researched the socks off the topic. He said at the book launch that he hoped he'd written the book in a way that didn't involve any finger-pointing from our perspective in history. The New Norcia Benedictine Monastery have unfortunately been involved in the Stolen Generations in the past, and are doing their best to heal those awful, awful wounds and move forward with new purpose.
Peter has a very humorous way of writing, I chuckled to myself quite a few times as I was reading. The sheer will and audacity of these Benedictine monks is something to consider, and I thought Peter's writing definitely did the story justice.

[Sharyn P · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fabrice Cleriquot, son of a French silk baron, was sent by his father to take part in a religious expedition to the new colony on the Swan River. His coerced trip aimed to help Fabrice distance himself from some "inappropriate " acts and his role to help guide funds dispersal to support local indigenous people and guide them to the catholic faith, despite Fabrice having failing faith himself.
An Irish Bishop along with Spanish, French & Italian Monks, Nuns and Priests and a few lay persons made their pilgrimage with fabrice to settle & convert those they can.
Grossly unprepared, under funded and poorly organised they were set for new challenges.
I found this a touching read, showing two signs of a coin and controversial part of Australia's past. A book to leave you thinking. Thanks author Peter Burke & Beauty & Lace for the opportunity to travel back in time.

[Lea Hadley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic - a great read of the 28 Missionaries who came out to the Swan River Colony on Elizabeth in September 1845. The colony was still without convicts, but had many Scots, Irish, English, French and Spanish as a result of the missionaries. Tough times, religious conflicts, tension between priests and nuns, lack of money, etc. Also the French Revolution was occurring and impacted on the lives of some of the immigrants. The sense of a platform of evangelising the local indigenous and making their life better lacked understanding of the local native culture and many tragedies occurred. A great read and well researched.

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set in 1845, Fabrice (of the title) goes to Western Australia with 28 Catholic missionaries (including monks and nuns from various countries) where missions are planned.
The tone is set in the first line: 'There lived in Lyon an annoying young man by the name of Fabrice Cleriquot.'
Inspired by true events the novel involves many more characters and Fabrice is just part of the story.
The history of the Catholic missions is tragic, well documented and patronising.
I don't think the irony of the narration (a modern day take) really works sadly, at least not for me,
An interesting read though. 3.5 stars.

[Bec]

The road to hell is paved with good intentions, silk and sermons.

An interesting look at the different religious settlers in Perth and the Swan River from multiple points of view. While England colonised Australia there were many different nationalities that joined the British to prophesies, make money off the land or to flee what was happening in their own countries. Full of little bits of information that were unknown to be and formed the tapestry of this story.

[Fiona · Rating 2 out of 5]

I suspect there was a lot of research to create this book. From several perspectives. You can see it. So I’m sure it is an accurate reflection of the experience of a small group of missionary men.
I wouldn’t have finished it if this wasn’t our Bookclub book over winter. It didn’t compel me to keep going. Bits of things happened, and list of people moved about, and tragedies were touched on and then we move to the next thing. Perhaps that was safer?

[Jenny Dougan · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. A well researched and written historical novel of the early colonial history of the Swan River Colony and the development of New Norcia. Interesting stories with many humorous details, a cast of villains and some do gooders but with mostly tragic consequences for the original owners of the lands.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

My mother was born and grew up in Toodyay and this novel appealed because I knew the settings and had heard of many of the characters. It is well researched but the large cast of characters overwhelms the story of the titular Fabrice Cleriquot who's personal story becomes almost secondary to the monks who establish New Norcia.

[David G - Coda · Rating 4 out of 5]

An insightful historical fiction into the early days of the Swan River Colony and the Catholic Church.

It felt well researched (although I did no fact checking). The story telling is humourous at times, brutal and honest.

[Thebroadgrumps · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book club book - not bad but nothing to rave about. An interesting insight into the early days of the RCs in WA

[Kevin Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this humorous historical fiction book from Peter Burke. A must for West Australian history buffs and those who like a good yarn.

[Alexandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great read! The story of Western Australia's early history is beautifully crafted in an engaging and comfortable style.