Book Review Jessica

Jessica by Bryce Courtenay

About the book

Jessica is based on the inspiring true story of a young girl’s fight for justice against tremendous odds.
A tomboy, Jessica is the pride of her father, as they work together on the struggling family farm. One quiet day, the peace of the bush is devastated by a terrible murder. Only Jessica is able to save the killer from the lynch mob – but will justice prevail in the courts?

Nine months later, a baby is born … with Jessica determined to guard the secret of the father’s identity. The rivalry of Jessica and her beautiful sister for the love of the same man will echo throughout their lives – until finally the truth must be told.

Set in the harsh Australian bush against the outbreak of World War I, this novel is heartbreaking in its innocence, and shattering in its brutality.

Comments

Our group was divided in their enjoyment of this book with some finding the story an enjoyable and informative read while others were very put off by the nastiness of some characters all throughout the book. So many morally bankrupt people.

The characters were found to be very one dimensional, either “Black or White” in their moral and ethical “goodness.”

Another criticism was about the story line which, to some, was very convoluted.

A few of our readers know the region this story was set in and found the author struggled to describe the Australian bush adequately.

However, those that liked the book really enjoyed it! 

There was agreement that the second half of the book was more enjoyable and informative than the first half of the book. The characters were more dimensional and the legal proceedings regarding stolen generation children and families were thought provoking and revealing. 

Some readers did not enjoy the first half of the book enough to continue on for the second half developments. They found this book depressing

We found this was definitely not a book for people who have inter-family traumas, and some found it to be a long read waiting for something good to happen.

Read by MJ Readers

Book Review The Railwayman’s Wife

The Railwayman’s Wife by Ashely Hay

About the book

In a small town on the land’s edge, in the strange space at a war’s end, a widow, a poet and a doctor each try to find their own peace, and their own new story.

In Thirroul, in 1948, people chase their dreams through the books in the railway’s library. Anikka Lachlan searches for solace after her life is destroyed by a single random act. Roy McKinnon, who found poetry in the mess of war, has lost his words and his hope. Frank Draper is trapped by the guilt of those his treatment and care failed on their first day of freedom. All three struggle with the same question: how now to be alive.

Comments

We found this to be a beautifully written book, very much enjoyed by the group. Some readers did say this was not a book that was for them or a book they would normally have chosen but they commended the lovely writing style of the author.

As a group we found the key characters were very likable.

The downside for our group was the focus on poetry all throughout the book. We found the poetry written in the story was not at all outstanding or enjoyable and to some readers it was bland and uninspiring.

There were many themes in this story discussed in detail by the group.

Anika, the main character in the book. Her transformation from a secure loving and loved wife and mother to a grieving widow, mother to a grieving child and thrust quickly, through necessity’ into working woman.

We found the grieving process for Anika and her daughter in the year after Macs death was a well detailed theme throughout the book.

Anikas relationship with Mac, her husband. Her reflections on their life after his death reveals some marital restrictions placed on her throughout their marriage that were not evident to her at the time during their marriage. 

This book was read by our group in April, the month of Anzac day. The post war traumas of Roy and Frank were very relevant at this time along with Australian society’s attitude to men who did not go to war for whatever reasons.

The character of Roy was also complex in his presentation. His romanticised view of Anika as his “muse” not one year after the violent death of her husband.

The ending of the story was also discussed at length with many differing opinions on interpretation of events and specific character responses to events.

Read by MJ Readers

Spotlight on Australian Crime Authors

Australian Crime Fiction

My advice to those people who are yet to discover the wonderful world of Australian Crime fiction is, do yourself a favour and make Australian crime fiction your next obsession!

Over the last couple of months, I have read some amazing Australian Crime fiction. Chris Hammer’s latest book, The Seven started me off. I loved the characters and nuances of small-town life, not to mention the mystery of who committed the murders.

After finishing The Seven and then re-reading all of Chris Hammer’s other books I decided to look for new Australian Crime authors to explore, and now I am two months in and can’t seem to stop! Strange though it might seem I find them relaxing.

So, in the hopes that you to, may find something new and interesting to read here, are some of my favourite Australian Crime reads to get you started or, assist longtime fans discover something new.

Happy reading!

Jody

Margaret Hickey

For those of you who are yet to discover award-winning Australian Crime author Margaret Hickey, you are in for a treat! Cutters End, Stone Town and Broken Bay all featuring Detective Mark Ariti are, simply put, unputdownable!

The pace, setting, dialogue and interaction of the characters is what makes Margaret Hickey’s books standout.

Margaret Hickey’s new book, The Creeper is due for can’t wait]. To read more about The Creeper and Margaret Hickey’s other books check out https://www.penguin.com.au/authors/margaret-hickey

Gary Disher

Hirsch Series

Paul Hirschhausen is one of my favourite characters! I re-read this series every year. Jody

For further information about Gary Disher and his incredible books check out his website.

You can even read a chapter of Sanctuary Gary’s new stand alone novel coming out later this year. Place a Hold now!

Christian White

Chris Hammer

Mark Brandi

Jane Harper

Darcy Tindale

Book Review The Tattooist of Auschwitz

About the book

The incredible story of the Auschwitz-Birkenau tattooist and the woman he loved.

Lale Sokolov is well-dressed, a charmer, a ladies’ man. He is also a Jew. On the first transport of men from Slovakia to Auschwitz in 1942, Lale immediately stands out to his fellow prisoners. In the camp, he is looked up to, looked out for, and put to work in the privileged position of Tatowierer – the tattooist – to mark his fellow prisoners, forever. One of them is a young woman, Gita, who steals his heart at first glance. His life given new purpose, Lale does his best through the struggle and suffering to use his position for good.

This story, full of beauty and hope, is based on years of interviews author Heather Morris conducted with real-life Holocaust survivor and Auschwitz-Birkenau tattooist Ludwig (Lale) Sokolov. It is heart-wrenching, illuminating, and unforgettable.

Comments

The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris was a legitimate life story made more interesting by the realisation that it was true. Some aspects were disturbing but true.

Well written!

8/10

Read by Winsmead Book Club

A year of eAudiobooks

Why listening to eAudiobooks is my favourite thing to do!

I am not ashamed to admit, that if I cannot listen to an eAudiobook daily; I tend to turn into an irritable, tired toddler.

At the end of a long eight hours of work, the only way I can make it through the commute home is to turn on my current eAudiobook and relax into an hour of non interrupted bliss.

Making time for reading can be difficult, that is why I love listening to eAudiobooks. Anywhere, anytime I can be transported to another world, time and place. eAudiobooks bring the story to life and provides a deeper connection to the story and characters.

To all those non-believers out there I say, “don’t knock it until you try it”.

Included in this post are the eAudiobooks I have listened to this year plus, a few of my favourites that I listen to every year. My hope is that you too will discover something great to listen to.

All the amazing eAudiobooks below can be accessed via City of Parramatta Libraries Borrow Box collection.

Happy listening,

Jody

My absolute favourites! eAudiobooks I listen to each year.