A poor sequel

I thought this a poor sequel to the Secret River. Far too long is spent on the teenage passion of the eponymous heroine in the first part of the novel and I almost gave up in boredom. The tale eventually picks up although it lacks the pace and drama of the Secret River and doesn't make up for it in depth.

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2 people found this helpful

Good

I was pleased to come across this follow up to 'The Secret River', having enjoyed listening to it. Whilst it's not quite as good as its prequel, it is still definitely good and worth a listen. About the relationships between the native aborigines and the settlers, it highlights changing attitudes, and just how poor these relationships could be.

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The completion of the trilogy

A hard listen, but satisfactory to reach a completion with Sarah looking forward, the secrets revealed. The description of flora, fauna and people so vivid, one wants to start at the beginning and relive those far off days in Australia- or rather not n

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Sins of the fathers - Great storytelling packs a gut punch

Feels like truth telling amid exposure of dark secrets from the Secret River - caught up with next generation in New South Wales
& the aftermath of a terrible massacre.
Price to pay for freedom & land grab.

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A wonderful, beautifully written authentic novel.

Atmospheric, enthralling and engaging, Sarah Thornhill is hugely evocative of the early days of colonial Australia.

Brilliantly narrated, the pictures sprung into my head throughout.

Highly recommended.

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Racism and humanity in emerging Australia

While not quite as powerful as "The Secret River", this is a moving and impressive sequel, following after the River and "The Lieutenant".

Sarah Thornhill grows up, establishing her own relationships, challenging the racism of her parents, and uncovering dark secrets of violence and oppression. This book explores the impact of colonisation on Aboriginal communities and highlights the violence, suppressed and hidden, but all pervasive and powerful.

This is a story about love, compassion, first loves, growing up, care, respect for culture, and humanity ... along with dispossession, racism, dark secrets, violence and denial. It helps explain elements of Australia - outwardly free and fair, inwardly guilt-ridden, shamed and developed on the back of violent dispossession.

Movingly written and read.

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Sense of place and past

Really enjoyed this reading. The author creates a real sense of the place all those years ago. She imagines the sensibilities of those settlers who built their lives in a continent strange to them and who created a country which did damage to the people they clashed with. A strong female character and more than a romance

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