The Secret River
1 journaler for this copy...
In 1806 London thief William Thornhill is transported to Australia. Once there he earns his freedom and settles on what looks like empty land.
But the land belongs to the Darug people, and they're prepared to defend it. He can't go back, but how can he go forward?
The choice Thornhill makes will haunt him for the rest of his life.
Inspired by the autor's familiy history, "The Secret River" is a classic novel about our nation's past.
But the land belongs to the Darug people, and they're prepared to defend it. He can't go back, but how can he go forward?
The choice Thornhill makes will haunt him for the rest of his life.
Inspired by the autor's familiy history, "The Secret River" is a classic novel about our nation's past.
This book is my Australia-souvenir from 2014. I was very impressed that in Australia (at least in Melbourne) you can find dedicated Australian authors book-shelfs! Amongst 10 books or so I was recommended I chose this one.
I didn't expect that the first quarter of the book takes place in England. But of course it's important to know out of which circumstances the people came to Australia. With today's knowledge it's unbelievable how ignorant the British settlers were. Even after realizing that "the blacks" do not work from dusk till dawn, but nevertheless do not starve and have time for a relaxed familiy life, didn't lead to any changes in habits. What a pity, that the one Thornhill-child, who obviously was in contact with the native neighbours, couldn't establish the connection. What would have happened, if the new settlers would have had respected the natives? Would it have been possible not to displace and nearly wipe out the natives? I can't imagine, looking at today's Australian population.
Nevertheless I have respect for those settlers. Okay, they didn't really have the chance to go back to European life, but to set up one's life out of nothing must be a hard life!
I didn't expect that the first quarter of the book takes place in England. But of course it's important to know out of which circumstances the people came to Australia. With today's knowledge it's unbelievable how ignorant the British settlers were. Even after realizing that "the blacks" do not work from dusk till dawn, but nevertheless do not starve and have time for a relaxed familiy life, didn't lead to any changes in habits. What a pity, that the one Thornhill-child, who obviously was in contact with the native neighbours, couldn't establish the connection. What would have happened, if the new settlers would have had respected the natives? Would it have been possible not to displace and nearly wipe out the natives? I can't imagine, looking at today's Australian population.
Nevertheless I have respect for those settlers. Okay, they didn't really have the chance to go back to European life, but to set up one's life out of nothing must be a hard life!
This book is not in my possession anymore. Must have released it ...