Bought at the Uncon. Hope to read soon.

Amazon Product Description:

As a boy, Daniel Rooke was always an outsider. At school, he learned to hide his clever thoughts from his cruel peers; at home, his parents were bemused by their bookish son. Daniel could only hope - against all the evidence - that he would one day find his place in life. By 1788, Daniel has become Lieutenant Rooke, astronomer with the First Fleet as it lands on the unknown shores of New South Wales. As the newcomers struggle to establish a settlement for themselves and their cargo of convicts, and attempts are made to communicate with those who already inhabit this land, Rooke sets up his observatory to chart the stars. But the place where they have landed will prove far more revelatory than the night sky. Out on his isolated point, Rooke comes to know the local Aboriginal people, and forges a remarkable connection with one child, which will change his life in ways he never imagined.

About the Author
Kate Grenville is one of Australia's best-loved authors. Her works of fiction have won numerous awards both in Australia and internationally. THE IDEA OF PERFECTION won the 2001 Orange Prize for Fiction and became a long-running bestseller. In 2006 THE SECRET RIVER won the Commonwealth Writers' Prize and was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize. SEARCHING FOR THE SECRET RIVER, the story behind this novel, is also available from Canongate, alongside her first novel LILIAN'S STORY. Kate Grenville lives in Sydney, and maintains a website at www.users.bigpond.com/kgrenville.

An interesting story especially as it one based on fact. The Lieutenant is basically on a journey of self discovery & re-evaluates his values after becoming friendly with the natives when in Australia. I also found the end rather touching, but won't give it away here ;0)

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

Taking along to the meet to add to the table of books. If not picked up from there it will be released on a walk around Rugby after lunch.

Happy reading!!

Found this at the meet at Rugby - another one from my wishlist. Thank you for bringing along such interesting books. :o)

I enjoyed this book and found it very thought provoking. For me, it was all about the interaction of the white men and the natives. It was fascinating how they interacted and the differences and similarities between them. It follows closely Daniel Rooke (The Lieutenant), and shows his crisis of conscience. The strong connection between Daniel and Tagaran was captivating and heart rendering. Would definitely recommend. Thanks for sharing!

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Passing to Korky.

Thanks for passing this on Retromonkey, one for all the family to read I think.

Having enjoyed The Secret River, Dark Places and Lilian’s Story by the same author I was looking forward to her new one and was not disappointed. This is another historical story based around the settling of Sydney and centring on Lt. Daniel Rooke a junior officer who has a special task to set up a mini-observatory to track a comet. Whilst in his more remote posting he encounters aborigines and sets about learning their language, unlike the rest of the English settlers he doesn’t deem them to be sub-human which puts him at odds with his own people.
I liked the setting and descriptions, though the savage treatment of the aborigines made me wince.
Recommended read.

I didn't like this as much as the Secret River and even got a little bit bored by the end. Well written though.
KORKY'S MUM

CAUGHT IN MILTON KEYNES BUCKINGHAMSHIRE UNITED KINGDOM

Really good! I enjoyed the historical background to the story and thought that Kate Grenville has great authority in the way she writes.
I also enjoyed The Secret River by the same author.
KORKY'S DAD

CAUGHT IN MILTON KEYNES BUCKINGHAMSHIRE UNITED KINGDOM

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

My entry in the bookswap game at the meet-up. Hope the winner enjoys it.

won in today's (mini, two-person!) bookswap game. Thanks Korky!

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

Somewhere in the shopping centre - to be determined.