“Two Daughters” Alison Edwards

“Two Daughters”  Alison Edwards

published by Atlantic Books Australia

If you enjoy books with a difference, then you can’t go past “Two Daughters”… It is the story of two young women, Ava and Laurie. It’s complicated, switching from one chapter to the other, as the life story of each woman is portrayed, in great detail. I tended to reread chapters at times to fully absorb their very busy lives, all the time wondering as to how they are, or would be, connected. 

Both Ava and Laurie seem to be leading quite different lives… but as you get towards the last few chapters, the connections are found between their two families. An unusual, incredibly detailed novel, sometimes hard to believe that this is the initial publication by the author, Alison Edwards. I look forward to further novels of hers.

Thanks to Better Reading and Atlantic Books Australia for providing a copy to preview.

"The Girl With the Violin” Shelley Davidow

 

 

"The Girl With the Violin”     Shelley Davidow

 If ever a book got my whole attention from beginning to end, it was ‘The Girl With the Violin”.. I loved this story. 

Susanna is with her violin teacher,  Stefan Heinemeyer, at one of the most remembered event in ‘modern history’.. the destruction of the Berlin Wall… 

She has come from the Queensland Conservatorium in Brisbane to the International Academy of Music in Berlin having been granted a scholarship. She has longed to be in the country of her departed grandmother, a victim of the pogrom against the Jews. Gramps fled with her mother, then just a baby, after her Oma spoke against the Nazis. No records were available, maybe Susanna would find more while in Germany. Her development as a musician and as a woman is intriguing.

The whole story develops like a perfect composition of music, of frustration, of love, of self awareness.. it entices the reader to want more. Definitely a book to be reread. 

Thank you to Better Reading and publisher HQBooks for providing the the book to review.

"THE RADIO HOUR" Victoria Purman

                                                    

The Radio Hour  

Victoria Purman                                                         

This has to be one of the most delightful books I have read in a while. In an era long gone, women’s work was mainly in the background and not appreciated as much of that of men. They were expected to be thankful to have a job at all. 

 Martha Berry was no exception. She was reliable, hard working, underpaid and accepting of her place in the national radio station.. there to bolster the egos of others. 

Never more so than when a young clueless producer was hired to create a serial to follow the ever popular Blue Hills series. He had no idea, nor interest and was forever absent with a series to be conceived and written.. Martha to the rescue.. with no one any wiser, despite her daringly adding subjects that had never been spoken about on air. 

Historical fiction beautifully portrayed.. it will leave you smiling and grateful to those who led the way.

I look forward to reading more of  Victoria Purman’s novels.

 

" RACHEL " Jeff McGill

 

RACHEL      Jeff McGill

“Brumby hunter, medicine woman, bushranger’s ally and troublemaker for good”…the remarkable pioneering life of RACHEL KENNEDY..

The summation above still doesn’t quite do her justice. I loved this book ..and I’m sure I would have loved and admired this lady. Nothing fazed her, nor stopped her in doing what she felt was the right thing. Whenever she was told ‘no’ re something that she considered she could do, she proved them wrong. She spent her life making other’s lives better and disputing the arrogance and greed of those who tried to claim all and push her people out. Whether it be as teacher, nurse, advocate, friend, or warrior, Rachel was the one they turned to. She loved the Warrumbungle mountains and it’s people with a passion.

She proved that she could catch brumbies as well as any man, (riding with a man’s saddle) opposed those who tried to push her family and people out of their own land.. fed the starving, helped all who needed care, medical or otherwise and lived a long and busy life. Caring for family and her home land were her missions in life. Despite some major battles with the greed of some, she eventually earned the respect of most. Rachel was a woman to be admired as “Australia’s greatest woman pioneer of all time” quoting Duke Tritton of The Bulletin.

Her great great grandson, Jeff McGill, has shared his pride in his ancestor in a ‘must read’, ‘never to be forgotten’  gift to Australian historians and all who love a good read.

My thanks to Traces Magazine who awarded me this much appreciated prize.

"AN ABSENCE OF UNCERTAINTY A Memoir" …. Greg Cary

 

 

AN ABSENCE OF UNCERTAINTY A Memoir …. Greg Cary

This book is far more than a memoir. While reading it, I was transported back to the years that I worked with Greg at 4BC.. At first, I admit to being a little overwhelmed, being new to radio, though not promotion. Greg was so friendly, so helpful and so calming..even if I did my best to not show that coming from fashion to radio was quite a change. 

I will always be grateful for his friendship and his advice.
He was more than a broadcaster, he was a friend to all.. His natural unassuming style came across with each and every interview. Listeners and guests were made to feel at ease… everyone he meets is a potential friend. 

Whatever the subject, Greg could hold the audience and the guests totally absorbed. As if he wasn’t busy enough.. he has now written a book which tells his life story.. so far..a wonderful gift to his daughter and family.

The best part is that we can all share his remarkable experiences ..so far, while looking forward to more to come.

You can read more re Greg at https://gregcary.com

"ESTELLA" Kathy George

 

“ESTELLA” Kathy George

Every now and then you come across a book that is sure to stay with you always…”Estella” is one of those treasures.  

Having read and enjoyed “Great Expectations” by Charles Dickens many years ago, I was led by curiosity when I was given the opportunity to review  a new outlook on a well known story. 

From the very beginning, Ms George had me intrigued… slightly different portrayals of the main characters and the detailed background to the story, had me turning pages searching for the next twist and turn.

It was Estella’s longing for a family of her own, despite the affection she had for Miss Havisham, that made such a difference. She understood how her adopted mother had withdrawn from others, but playing with Pip as a youngster, wasn’t enough. Estella longs for a ‘normal’ life and in doing so, puts Pip to the side, at least for awhile.

Without revealing the whole story, it was easy to read, lots of twists and turns as we get to know the adult Estelle, without losing any of the intrigue and drama of the original.

Many thanks to Better Reading and publishers, Harper Collins, for providing a copy of the book to review.

“THE BUTTERFLY COLLECTOR” Tea Cooper

“The Butterfly Collector”  Tea Cooper

Tea Cooper has the reader turning the pages with impatience as the characters evolve, from the late 19th century to the early 20th century.. A surprise of a butterfly costume is sent to Verity Binks, a news correspondent, for a masquerade ball in 1922.. How is it connected to the discovery of a previously unknown butterfly in the 19th century and a missing baby?

Verity’s research into the family of the woman who first saw that butterfly, Theodora Breckenridge,  leads her to an unexpected personal connection.. and also reveals the history of the Treadwell Foundation which appears to help ‘disgraced young women’ and their babies. A powerful story, with the horror of attitudes of a different era and the unexpected connections over fifty years… beautifully written as always by Tea Cooper.

Many thanks to Better Reading and the publisher Harper Collins for providing a copy of the book to review.