Secret River – Kate Grenville

Late November 2009

No notes survive of our deliberations on this book. The score was on the high side. I (Steve) recall an engaging and relatively well-written book. The initial section in London which told the back story to the protagonist's arrival in Oz was maybe rather one-dimensional and Blackadder-ish. The section in Australia felt more authentic. The profound contrast between the immigrants' greed for land/property/wealth and the nomadic season-driven tempo of the aborigine lifestyle was very effectively drawn. Google Maps proved very useful, to help pinpoint and orientate oneself. There was a sense that this book was a real eye-opener in Australia, telling a story which has been downplayed in history.

If anyone can remember anything else that we talked about, please comment.

7.18