A special delivery straight from Canongate this week!
This week is a special edition of book mail as it is all about the fabulous author - Kate Grenville!
I can't wait to delve into these books and share my thoughts through reviews!
The Secret River by Kate Grenville:
The Secret River garnered the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize and found itself on the shortlist for the prestigious Man Booker Prize.
Set in the early 19th century, during the period when New South Wales functioned as a British penal colony (1778-1823), it draws its inspiration from the author's deep dive into the life of her convict ancestor, several generations back.
The narrative follows the journey of Will Thornhill, a convict who narrowly escaped a death sentence in London and finds himself transported to New South Wales with his wife, Sal, and their two young children.
Upon completing his sentence, Thornhill stakes a claim to a piece of land previously inhabited by the indigenous Aboriginal people. Initially, there's a sense of curiosity and passive coexistence between the two groups. However, tensions escalate over time as Thornhill and the Aboriginal community find themselves at odds with each other.
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A Room Made of Leaves by Kate Grenville:
Imagine if Elizabeth Macarthur, wife of the notorious John Macarthur, the influential wool baron of early Sydney, had penned a shockingly candid memoir, hidden from the prying eyes of history.
In this whimsical scenario, Kate Grenville introduces us to this intriguing notion with a wink and a nod, claiming to have stumbled upon a long-concealed box containing Elizabeth's secrets.
Elizabeth Macarthur emerges as a woman of fiery passion, deftly navigating the complexities of her life: her tumultuous marriage to a domineering figure, her desires, and her quest for influence in a society that denied her agency. Through Grenville's lens, Elizabeth comes alive as a character imbued with spirit, cunning, and a mischievous wit.
In her memoir, Elizabeth lays bare the hidden truths lurking beneath the veneer of Jane Austen's genteel world. She shatters the stereotype of women relegated to lives of quiet obedience, revealing instead a woman who dared to defy societal norms and carve out her path.
Through Elizabeth's unfiltered account, Grenville invites readers to reconsider the narratives of the past, challenging preconceived notions of female subservience and offering a glimpse into the rebellious spirit of a bygone era.
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