Thomas Keneally, born in 1935, is an Australian novelist, playwright, essayist and actor. He is best know for his non fiction Schindler's Ark. In later years, in partnership with his eldest daughter Meg, he wrote the Monsarrat series, a crime series with an historical background. Meg is a former journalist turned crime writer.
BEV: THE WIDOW AND HER HERO (published 2008)
The story is set in Braidwood during World War 11. It's the story of a woman who meets a fellow who joined the army. They marry and he is sent on a mission to Japanese held Singapore. He is killed and she becomes a widow after a very short marriage. The story is told from the perspective of the widow who is now in her 80's. Bev found it went on and on and on. She said it was very slow moving and she did not enjoy the read.
JOAN: NAPOLEON'S LAST ISLAND (published 2015)
In 1815 Napoleon landed under exile on the rocky island of St Helena in the mid Atlantic. As his accommodation wasn't ready he stayed in part of the homestead of the Balcombe family, an English family. The father was the superintendent of the East India stores. A great friendship develops with the family, especially with the young daughter Betsy. We see this all through Betsy's eyes. A new Governor said they were too friendly to Napoleon and took away some of their privileges. The father eventually dies and the rest of the family go to Australia. Joan said it draws in the history very effectively. She said it was a worthwhile read and she enjoyed it, although it was a little bit too long.
JO: NAPOLEON'S LAST ISLAND
Jo read this book as well but gave up after 130 pages. The story is about Napoleon Bonaparte and his exile to the island of St Helena where he befriends the locals. Jo found it dull in most parts.
JUDY D: CORPORAL HITLER'S PISTOL (published 2021)
How did Corporal Hitler's Luger from the First World War end up being the weapon that killed an IRA turncoat in Kempsey, N.S.W in 1933. When a woman sees an Aboriginal child in a Kempsey street, she recognizes the child looks like her husband. She realises it must be her husband's son. There are several stories going on at once. There is a man who is taken to a psychiatric ward in Sydney, his Irish farmhand is murdered, and a gay piano playing veteran is implicated. Rural communities are prepared to accept a diverse population as long as they don't overstep the mark. Judy enjoyed it and said things went well.
VAL: CORPORAL HITLER'S PISTOL
Val enjoyed this book as well, although it is not a happy story. The community has it's problems. You get to know the people you are dealing with in 1933 Kempsey. One of the residents has post traumatic stress after the war. The homosexual in town is taunted and when a murder occurs and money stolen the finger is pointed at Dalton as he is homosexual. Val said what comes through are the moral standards of the time.
ED: FLYING HERO CLASS (published 1991)
This is the fictional story of the Australian Aboriginal Barramatjara Dance Troupe on a world tour. They are on a plane from New York to Frankfurt when a Palestinian terrorist organization come on board. There are two Jewish people on board who have two passports in different names. The terrorists put them in the hull of the plane. Ed said by page 200 she still didn't know why the plane was hijacked or what were their demands. It seemed to go on another path and she got a bit fed up with the book.
CONNIE: JACKO: THE GREAT INTRUDER (published in 1971)
Connie said this novel sounded so Australian. Jacko was born on a cattle station in the Northern Territory. He had two brothers and one sister. He was educated at university and thought the cattle station was not for him. He got a job with a television company on the morning show. Jacko's friend is telling the story and it starts with Jacko up a cherry picker in New York. He knocks on the window of a fellow who had a daughter who had gone missing. Jacko decides they are going to find the girl. He includes the public. That story is then put aside and there is another interesting story but you don't find out what happens. Connie liked the way he wrote but would have preferred there weren't so many side stories. She found it a bit heavy going and too long at over 400 pages but she still found it satisfying.
PAT: SOLDIER'S CURSE by MEG and TOM KENEALLY (published in 2016)
This Book 1 in the Monsarrat series. It's an historical novel set in the Port Macquarie penal settlement in 1895. The main character is Monsarrat who had been pretending to be a barrister. He was very successful but got caught and sent away to Port Macquarie. He forms a relationship with Mrs. Mulrooney, the cook who takes care of the commandant. While the commandant is away his wife dies. They can't work out why she died. Monsarrat, Mrs Mulrooney and the doctor worked out she was poisoned.
KRIS: THE POWER GAME by MEG and TOM KENEALLY (published 2018)
This is Book 3 in the Monsarrat series. Monsarrat and Mrs Mulrooney are sent to Maria Island to investigate the murder of Harefield, the bosun who brings supplies to the island from Van Diemen's Land. The main suspect is Thomas Power, an Irish baronet convicted for treason and sent to Van Diemen's Land. Monsarrat and Mulrooney have convict pasts but this has not been revealed to the commandant. This was a fast paced and very enjoyable read.
SHEILA: SHAME and the CAPTIVES (published 2013)
It is based on the true story set in Cowra but this country town has a different name. There is an outbreak of Japanese prisoners at the World War 11 prisoner camp. Some of the prisoners held there are Italian, who are mostly accepted but the people are terrified of the Japanese. There is a big break out which is kept under wraps for years. The town started to bring them out to work on the roads. A woman observing a work gang took cool drinks as it was a very hot day. She felt by doing this it might be reciprocated as her husband was also a prisoner of war in Europe. Sheila did not read it all and she could not battle through the book. Too dry.
PAMELA: THE PLAYMAKER (published 1987)
Pamela said it is an interesting concept but she doesn't really like restoration drama. The setting is Sydney Cove in 1789. It is the story of a group of convicts and their captors who unite to stage a play. It is one of the first plays put on in the colony. They put on a comedy. Pamela said she is up to page 54 and has found it difficult. There are too many characters and too hard to follow. She couldn't always work out whether it was the convict talking or the part he was playing.
TAM: TWO OLD MEN DYING (published 2018)
Learned Man is known as the child of humankind. The story explores the journey of modern Australians alongside the imagined story of ancient Learned Man whose remains were discovered in Western NSW some decades ago. The two Old Men in the story are Learned Man and Shelby. Shelby is an acclaimed documentary maker. He sees the world through the lens of a camera. There is also a parallel story with aboriginal culture struggles. Tam said it was an exquisite exploration of community, country, love and mortality. She found the Aboriginal part interesting and thinks she would read another book by Tom Keneally.
JULIA: GOSSIP FROM THE FOREST (published 1975)
The setting is a railway carriage in 1918 in a forest near Paris. It deals with the negotiations to end World War 1. It's a combination of history, speculation and rumour. He recreates the personalities and ideals and arguments that resulted in the Armistice which would shape the future in Europe.
Kris
In the month of July we will be reading books about New Zealand or by New Zealand authors.
