Bibliophile

Bibliophile

Thursday 20 April 2023

" 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.






Tuesday 18 April 2023

"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

Monday 17 April 2023

"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.



Friday 4 November 2022

“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.


Sunday 23 October 2022

"HALIFAX" Transgression Roger Simpson

Having been a fan of the television series, I was interested in reading this, the first novel about Halifax, written by the screen writer, Roger Simpson. Would it have the same intensity and depth of the series…


It’s certainly not disappointing .. though with incredibly cruel murders. Were they all from the same perpetrator? Why impale the art collector on one of his collections? Also how could one of the main suspects still have the love of a gentle woman? Have they got the wrong man?  


A pattern seems to be forming, but Jane Halifax can’t quite determine a link nor a reason. Is this psychopath trying to impress her or even Inspector Eric Ringer, with whom she has a history.


It’s so hard to accept that such evil exists. Is it payback? If so, why and to whom? 


Clues seem to evaporate  as soon as discovered. It’s one heck of a story, with so many twists and turns. Definitely a page turner...

I look forward to the next novel.


Thanks to Better Reading and the publisher for an advance copy to review.

* The You Tube interview with the author, Roger Simpson, was also quite interesting.



Sunday 9 October 2022

"GEMINI FALLS" Sean Wilson

 


GEMINI FALLS       Sean Wilson

If ever there was a novel that kept the reader wondering and interested in a time long gone, it has to be Gemini Falls..wonderfully crafted by Sean Wilson. He completely immerses you in the era of the 1930 Great Depression.

Morris, 13, a passionate would be astronomer and his older sister, Lottie, accompanied their detective father, Jude, to his home town..where he'd been sent to investigate a murder. With polio rampant in the city, he felt his children would be safer in the country.  They would also meet family for the first time.

A young girl's body was found in puzzling circumstances..Morris is led by his 'new' cousin, Flo, who proclaims that they and Sam, the Mayor's son, should do their own investigation. Town folk are convinced that the 'down and outers' in the nearby squalid camp are to blame. The three children are soon convinced that they have found the perpetrator, but that was to change a few times...with perhaps the most unlikely murderer finally being identified.

An intriguing story, not easily forgotten.

Thanks to Better Reading and Affirm Press for an Advance Reading Copy to review.


Sunday 28 August 2022

"THE ONLY CHILD" Kayte Nunn


 



 


 









 "The Only Child" Kayte Nunn


This has to be one of the most powerful, horrifying and yet intriguing stories that I have read in a long time. It is almost unbelievable, but sadly, a true depiction of how ‘fallen women’ and indeed, some very young girls, were discarded by society and often by their own families. Though set in the US, it could be in one of many countries …

The prologue is heartbreaking as a newborn infant is buried, just another child of a disgraced young mother… Those who survived were adopted out to ‘proper’ families..

“Fairmile”, which had once been a home for single mothers, was in the process of being restored as a boutique hotel, when not only an elderly nun’s death seemed suspicious, but a tiny skeleton was found in the grounds.

Frankie, the daughter of the woman restoring the hotel and a soon to be Deputy Sheriff, comes to reconcile with her teenage daughter, Izzy and gets sidetracked by the above discoveries. 

This is not only a story of families, history, challenges, but a story you can’t put down…

Better Reading kindly supplied me an advanced reading copy to review.


#BRPreview

@betterreading