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my_odd_books's review
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I find Judy Nunn books are always well researched, beautifully written and a truly enjoyable read, although daunting when you see the size of the book you are picking up. This was no different. The tale of three families through three generations at a time when Tasmania was growing from its early days as an almost lawless colony to the Tasmania we know today. On the whole I found the book had no real underlying theme which was a pity however the characters were well written, some you love and some you love to hate, and their stories complex and intriguing.
tasmanian_bibliophile's review
4.0
‘Van Diemen’s Land was a place of profound contradiction.’
Starting in Van Diemen’s Land in 1853 (known as Tasmania since 1856), this novel spans three generations of men. And in the time that they and their families established themselves, the Tasmanian Tiger was hunted to extinction. Many of these men arrived in Van Diemen’s Land as convicts, others were drawn to Tasmania in order to make their fortunes. Tasmania in the 19th century was full of opportunity for many: an abundance of natural resources; cheap labour and enterprise.
The novel has three separate parts: the first part starts in 1853, the second part in 1895 and the third part in 1914. In the first part of the novel, the people who’ve found themselves in Tasmania seek to establish themselves in new lives. During the second part, which largely coincides with Tasmania’s golden age, people are keen to make their fortunes. And in the third part, the impact of the Great War is felt.
There are a large number of characters in this novel, some are more likeable than others, each has a part to play in the story as it unfolds. While I enjoyed this novel, as I enjoy most multi-generational historical sagas, it was the middle part of the novel (from 1895) which most held my attention. This is the kind of novel that always has me reaching for history books, to learn more about the island on which I spent the first (almost) 18 years of my life. Ms Nunn’s novel brings colonial Tasmania to life, and reminds me of the sacrifice made during the Great War when nearly 3,000 of the 15,485 Tasmanian men who enlisted were killed, and many more were injured. It wasn’t until 1914 that the population of Tasmania reached 200,000.
If you are interested in historical fiction set in Tasmania, and like the challenge of multi-generational family sagas, then I recommend this novel.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
Starting in Van Diemen’s Land in 1853 (known as Tasmania since 1856), this novel spans three generations of men. And in the time that they and their families established themselves, the Tasmanian Tiger was hunted to extinction. Many of these men arrived in Van Diemen’s Land as convicts, others were drawn to Tasmania in order to make their fortunes. Tasmania in the 19th century was full of opportunity for many: an abundance of natural resources; cheap labour and enterprise.
The novel has three separate parts: the first part starts in 1853, the second part in 1895 and the third part in 1914. In the first part of the novel, the people who’ve found themselves in Tasmania seek to establish themselves in new lives. During the second part, which largely coincides with Tasmania’s golden age, people are keen to make their fortunes. And in the third part, the impact of the Great War is felt.
There are a large number of characters in this novel, some are more likeable than others, each has a part to play in the story as it unfolds. While I enjoyed this novel, as I enjoy most multi-generational historical sagas, it was the middle part of the novel (from 1895) which most held my attention. This is the kind of novel that always has me reaching for history books, to learn more about the island on which I spent the first (almost) 18 years of my life. Ms Nunn’s novel brings colonial Tasmania to life, and reminds me of the sacrifice made during the Great War when nearly 3,000 of the 15,485 Tasmanian men who enlisted were killed, and many more were injured. It wasn’t until 1914 that the population of Tasmania reached 200,000.
If you are interested in historical fiction set in Tasmania, and like the challenge of multi-generational family sagas, then I recommend this novel.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
belinda_chisholm's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
boobooks's review
2.0
Tiger Men the first book by Judy Nunn that I've read and the first of this kind of Australian-historical-family-saga type genre that I've read as well. I was curious about her novels and I also love reading stories set in Tasmania (the Thylacine illustrations sealed the deal.)
While I found the writing style a bit laborious to read at times I quite enjoyed the first part of Tiger Men. Mick, the Irish larrikin and the seedier sides of early Hobart were enjoyable and interesting - even if it was a bit strange reading about all the 'whores' with Alf Stuart's wife smilling kindly from the inside front cover.
The latter parts of the book however I found much less enjoyable. The more interesting and likeable characters faded away and the story seemed to be dominated by an almost intolerably mean, selfish and snobbish character who I didn't like at all! And then despite this I found his ultimate fate almost too cruel.
I did appreciate the research and the way Nunn was able to interweave the paths of the different generations of characters from the original families but it just seemed there were a few too many to keep track of!
While I found the writing style a bit laborious to read at times I quite enjoyed the first part of Tiger Men. Mick, the Irish larrikin and the seedier sides of early Hobart were enjoyable and interesting - even if it was a bit strange reading about all the 'whores' with Alf Stuart's wife smilling kindly from the inside front cover.
The latter parts of the book however I found much less enjoyable. The more interesting and likeable characters faded away and the story seemed to be dominated by an almost intolerably mean, selfish and snobbish character who I didn't like at all! And then despite this I found his ultimate fate almost too cruel.
I did appreciate the research and the way Nunn was able to interweave the paths of the different generations of characters from the original families but it just seemed there were a few too many to keep track of!
kathryn08's review
4.0
4.5★ I really enjoyed this multi-generational saga set in Hobart and its surrounds, however it wasn’t what I was expecting from the tagline at the bottom of the front cover: “They robbed Tasmania of her riches and traded the spoils across the world.” There was a bit of that (by one person in particular that I can think of), but it didn’t feel like it was the focus of the story. Most of it was just about 3 families and their interactions across the generations from the 1860s through to the end of WWI.
At the end of some of the chapters were some extracts from an unpublished book about the Tasmanian tiger, which I also thought was going to work more into the saga, but it never did - at least not in my opinion. And actually, the book wouldn’t be any the worse for not including those extracts, I didn’t feel.
Not that any of that had any bearing on my enjoyment of the story - it just puzzled me a little when I stopped to think about it. But - as is generally the case - it’s easier to pick out what you didn’t like or what didn’t work in a story than to say what you did like. I enjoyed the glimpse into life in Tasmania in the 19th century. For a warning to anyone who doesn’t like excessive swearing or sex, there is quite a bit of both in the beginning part of the book, although it does improve as the book goes on.
I can’t believe it was only in the last few years that I discovered Judy Nunn’s writing - and that she has been so prolific! I will continue to look forward to reading more by her!
At the end of some of the chapters were some extracts from an unpublished book about the Tasmanian tiger, which I also thought was going to work more into the saga, but it never did - at least not in my opinion. And actually, the book wouldn’t be any the worse for not including those extracts, I didn’t feel.
Not that any of that had any bearing on my enjoyment of the story - it just puzzled me a little when I stopped to think about it. But - as is generally the case - it’s easier to pick out what you didn’t like or what didn’t work in a story than to say what you did like. I enjoyed the glimpse into life in Tasmania in the 19th century. For a warning to anyone who doesn’t like excessive swearing or sex, there is quite a bit of both in the beginning part of the book, although it does improve as the book goes on.
I can’t believe it was only in the last few years that I discovered Judy Nunn’s writing - and that she has been so prolific! I will continue to look forward to reading more by her!
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