(*Guest review: Because there are only so many hours in a day, and so many books I can read AND still write my own, from time to time I will bring you guest review posts from Read Round Oz.  Jeannette is quite literally READING her way around the country, which ties in nicely with me WRITING my way around.)

This is a book Read Round Oz thought my readers might enjoy:

Judy Nunn’s  –  Spirits of the Ghan

“I read this book whilst my Caravan was parked for 3 months on a 5th- generation cattle property in the Capricornia Region of Queensland. Yet another wonderful way to readroundoz.

Tracks through time make Spirits of the Ghan compelling reading.

This is my first time reading this Author.  In my travels, many people who have read books by Judy Nunn have told me how much they have enjoyed her stories.  That said, when I got the opportunity to read this book I jumped at the chance.

I found this story to be complex, presenting many different points of view over vastly different time periods. There were many different characters to meet and I enjoyed all of their individual stories. Some I liked more than others and some I felt quite sad for. The life led by Rose particularly affected me and I was pleased to see her daughter Jess developed to be such a strong character.

I became most attached to the two main characters, Jessica Manning and Matthew Witherton.  The Author’s narrative through the generations showed me Jess and Matt’s individual journeys from the time of their youth through to the people they have become when they first meet.  Both these characters had lessons to learn growing up and were brought together, in the Red Centre of Australia, by forces unknown to them at the time. The purpose of their being united, for a cause, was one of healing and to find a solution to the puzzle of an ancient wrongdoing.

Throughout this book I discovered a number of things about Aboriginal culture, the red centre and the history behind the completion of the Ghan Railway. I have travelled through the areas discussed in the Northern Territory and I grew up Balmain NSW also, so the scene setting was of particular interest to me.  It was like being in both of those places all over again.

Thanks to those who guided me towards a Judy Nunn novel and many thanks to NetGalley and Random House for the opportunity to read and review this book. This review placed on Goodreads and the link added to the Australian Women Writers Challenge 2015 review site.”

Original post. https://readroundoz.wordpress.com/2015/11/10/spirits-of-the-ghan-by-judy-nunn/