If you are easily offended by reading something which includes the prejudices of the time, this is not the book for you. This is a first novel of a seIf you are easily offended by reading something which includes the prejudices of the time, this is not the book for you. This is a first novel of a series. Written in 1929, it does reflect the thinking about the Aboriginal people by the White population in Australia. It was a little surprising as the MC is a "half-caste" man, which seems like a progressive choice for the author. For the most part, I could just glance & move on,but there were 1 or 2 lines that did stop me in my tracks.
I enjoyed the storyline, the characters and the picture of Australian ranching life that is presented. I figured out one of the secrets fairly early on, which was the motive for the murder of an Aborigine, but loved the character of Napoleon Bonaparte aka "Bony" so much that it was worth sticking with it to see how everything unfolds. "Bony" is a brilliant but little known bush detective that is brought in by law enforcement to solve the murder of King Henry on the large ranch of Barrakee. The dynamics of the family and many of the employees is soon on display and makes for an enjoyable read. I will probably read more of this series....more
Through reviews, I understand this is not one of the more popular books in the Harry Hole series, but I thought it was a taut and interesting murder mThrough reviews, I understand this is not one of the more popular books in the Harry Hole series, but I thought it was a taut and interesting murder mystery/police procedural/suspense novel. I try very hard to read any series in order, so this is my first foray into Nesbo's writing and introduction to his Harry Hole main character. My biggest surprise was this Norwegian investigator was sent to Australia to "assist" with an investigation of the murder of a Norwegian woman who had been a TV personality in the past in Norway. Soon the investigating team begins to think that this murder is not a random killing but may involve a serial killer targeting blonde women. Harry certainly fits the mold of many of our favorite detectives carrying their own baggage which has them fighting with their personal demons as well as the bad guys. I liked the variety of characters in the novel especially those of Aboriginal descent. It provided an opportunity to weave into the storyline some history and mythology that were both relevant to the storyline and highlighted their ancient culture....more
I was truly nonplussed by this book by the well-regarded Thomas Keneally. An early work, true, and just may not be my style. Very spare writing. I proI was truly nonplussed by this book by the well-regarded Thomas Keneally. An early work, true, and just may not be my style. Very spare writing. I probably would not have finished it if it was not part of a reading challenge.
Set in Australia during the 18th C as the penal colony was getting its footing and there was hope for the felons to eke out a new life. But the life is harsh and unforgiving and so are the people that populated this novel. Ostensibly, the novel is about the daily life and times of Corporal Halloran, Royal Marine. I'm not sure where the title comes from. ...more
Oh Boy, I really, really liked this book!! Quite a surprise as I didn't care for What Alice Forgot. Someone is dead, but you don't know who until very Oh Boy, I really, really liked this book!! Quite a surprise as I didn't care for What Alice Forgot. Someone is dead, but you don't know who until very near the end. And was it murder? I thought the way the story unfolded was quite creative & hilarious. Many laugh out-loud moments for me. The humor is layered over a very ugly darkness which made it even more powerful. Some of the main characters were broad stereotypes but I thought it really worked well in this novel. I just hope when you read it, you don't discover yourself in one of them!
Just adding after having watched the miniseries. Although the acting was wonderful, I didn't enjoy this as much as the book. No humor to cut the darkness of the plot, some unnecessary sexual scenes & I certainly don't remember that much profanity either in the book....more
A lot of the blurbs about this book identified it as funny among other things. I found nothing to laugh at. I think my rating of the novel is probablyA lot of the blurbs about this book identified it as funny among other things. I found nothing to laugh at. I think my rating of the novel is probably in the minority, I really had looked forward to reading this. Alice sustains a head injury and loses the memory of the last 10 years of her life. A very interesting premise for a story but the presentation was often too fragmented for me, kind of jarring, one of the big mysteries went on for TOO long. I did root for some of these characters, but I wasn't sure I wanted Alice to get her memory back. The glimpses we were getting of the current Alice weren't too warm & fuzzy to say the least! There were 3 voices that had narration "duties", I got used to them but wasn't thrilled with the way 2 of the voices were structured in the novel.
"Early love is exciting and exhilarating. It's light and bubbly. Anyone can love like that. But love after three children, ...after you've hurt each other and forgiven each other, bored with each other and surprised each other, after you've seen the worst and the best- well, that sort of love is ineffable."...more
" We live with the decisions we make." A MUST READ. Beautiful and heartbreaking story. Many quotable moments & scenes. Steadman provides an indelible " We live with the decisions we make." A MUST READ. Beautiful and heartbreaking story. Many quotable moments & scenes. Steadman provides an indelible look into one man's soul that has been scarred by war (WWI) and how it affects the decisions & course of his life, and the woman who encompasses both hope, love, & eventually a moral crossroads. "And Isabel...who lit the way for him back into life, after all the years of death." How they move forward impacts not only themselves, but a child, strangers & a community. I cried multiple times during the last section of the book, aching for these characters. For I had shared the dark moments, the joy & the serene. On top of that a fascinating glimpse into the life of an isolated lighthouse keeper in the 1920's written with love and care....more
A lonely mature women develops an unlikely friendship with a 25 y/o mentally challenged man and it changes both of their lives forever. Although simplA lonely mature women develops an unlikely friendship with a 25 y/o mentally challenged man and it changes both of their lives forever. Although simply written, it could have been a book club selection for the discussions that were sure to occur over the events of the book. Had to get through a lot of Australian slang in the beginning and slow start. I had a hard time maintaining my interest in the story or characters, but I suppose interested enough to want to know what was to happen that I kept at it. ...more