5.0 out of 5 stars
An insightful journey, Jan 14 2004
By A Customer
This review is from: Lambing Flat (Paperback)
I loved it. A beautiful, sensitive novel essentially about belonging. Australian author Nerida Newton has a unique writing style that for me built up a gradual rapport as the eventually intertwined stories of two very different people played out. She uses conflicting thematic elements such as drought vs water, Australian colonial vs Chinese culture, offspring vs parents, violence and racism vs compassion to fill out the story of an issue that ultimately affects us all - how and where we belong.
I found that at some point the book subtly shifted from more overt action and events to a slower phase where the real action was happening at an emotional and spiritual level.
I enjoyed the conclusion of the book and what it was trying to pose but also enjoyed the reading of it.
I've read that this author with her debut novel was the first in Australian history to simultaneously win and be short-listed for Australia's two richest prizes for emerging authors. I think the judges had it right, this is a truly special book.
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