On any old outback property, you can see them, the skeletons of dreams. Houses long abandoned, windmills rusting, fence posts splintered, tank stands collapsed: every one of them was once a hopeful beginning.
Phil MacBride is taking his sons to Wanderrie Creek, the nearest settlement to Meredith Downs, the million-acre sheep station the family has leased from the Crown for well over a century. Matt is dreaming of seeing the world once he’s passed his leaving cert while Warren is set to take over the family business. Their sister, Rosie, had persuaded Matt to swap with her, hoping to spend time alone with their handsome temporary manager. Against all the advice he’s given his sons, Phil swerves to avoid a kangaroo, mistaking it for a human. The resulting accident kills both Phil and Warren, injuring Matt so badly he will take many months to recover. He returns to the homestead profoundly changed: irascible, unpredictable and beset by memory problems. Rosie’s guilt results in a misjudgement whose fallout will deepen the tragedy.
It’s the human bloody condition, mate. Life: bite the bastard. Chew off one day at a time. That’s my eminently qualified philosophical advice.
Stedman’s engrossing novel is full of secrets, the family’s fate pivoting on a fundamental one hence that slightly sketchy synopsis for a novel which spans well over 400 pages, all free of the padding that so often weighs down doorstoppers. It’s a good old-fashioned piece of storytelling filled with humanity and compassion plus some vividly evocative descriptions of a harsh but often striking landscape. Stedman takes her time developing her characters, delivering their backstories small details of which sometimes prove crucial to the plot, carefully managing the suspense around the possible revelation of a secret readers know will result in devastation. She delivers a satisfying catch-up section placing her characters in the twenty-first century where much has changed. The ending was a little too neat and tidy for me but the journey to it was so enjoyable I’m not going to quibble.
Doubleday: London 9781529965308 448 pages Hardback (read via NetGalley)
I’m not currently in Doorstopper mood, but this looks likely to hit the spot when the moment comes.
I’m pretty sure your library will have a long queue for this one so it’ll keep for a while.
I really loved Oceans, even though I don’t usually go for historical novels. I will read this one (eventually), even though it doesn’t have quite the same instant appeal that Oceans had for me (I think it was the water element!).
I had the usual wariness about second novels but, if anything, loved this one even more. I hope you enjoy it when you get to it.
This sounds like a really satisfying read!
It absolutely is, Cathy. Well worth the wait.
The setting and the well developed characters make this sound a great read!
Highly recommended, Jane! One to lose yourself in.
Old fashioned storytelling is very welcome at the right time!
Definitely when the story’s as absorbing as this one.
I read The Light Between Oceans years ago, when it was first published, but I remember enjoying it. I’m glad you think this one has been worth such a long wait – it does sound great!
Thank you. I’m hoping not to wait so long for her next one!
Good review. If there’s no grooming/ s a then I’d like to read it.
Thank you. Highly recommended!
I’m excited for this one! I loved Stedman’s previous novel.
No second novel worries here, Karissa. You’ve a treat in store.