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dreaj's review against another edition
3.0
Read for 52 Book Club Challenge 2023 #15 Set in Australia.
Loosely based on a true story, this tells of the life of Daniel Rooke, an outsider who grows up to be an astronomer, joins the Royal Marines and travels on the 1788 First Fleet to New South Wales. Whilst there he befriends and records the language of the Australian Aboriginal people and regrets following orders to go on a revenge expedition to kidnap/execute 6 of those people. Following a legal trial, he then spends the rest of his life in Antigua freeing slaves.
Whilst interesting history, this was a slow-burner in the extreme that never really got going. Some of his story and internal wrangles are told in excruciating detail - others, like the trial and his time in Antigua are just skated over. Perhaps because of the isolated nature of the protagonist, it all felt a little distanced. Finished it, but wasn't gripped.
Loosely based on a true story, this tells of the life of Daniel Rooke, an outsider who grows up to be an astronomer, joins the Royal Marines and travels on the 1788 First Fleet to New South Wales. Whilst there he befriends and records the language of the Australian Aboriginal people and regrets following orders to go on a revenge expedition to kidnap/execute 6 of those people. Following a legal trial, he then spends the rest of his life in Antigua freeing slaves.
Whilst interesting history, this was a slow-burner in the extreme that never really got going. Some of his story and internal wrangles are told in excruciating detail - others, like the trial and his time in Antigua are just skated over. Perhaps because of the isolated nature of the protagonist, it all felt a little distanced. Finished it, but wasn't gripped.
phwoooarker's review against another edition
2.0
Dull, simplistic, extremely predictable. The entire novel felt rushed, as if she'd thought of a good idea but not expended any time on characterisation or narrative. Everything, from the central characters to the NSW landscape is flimsy and two-dimensional. Disappointing.
boundsie's review against another edition
4.0
This is a worthy companion to The Secret River and tells the story of one of the early colony's great worthies, William Dawe, reimagined as Daniel Rooke. If Australia looks at our current relationship with Aboriginal people as a matter of confusion and conflict on all sides, then this historical novel is a reminder that it has always been thus, in spite of the best of intentions on both sides. How sad that Dawes/Rooke ultimately had more success in combating slavery and freeing slaves that in translating his knowledge of Eora languages into peaceful relationships with the colonists. In the end, Tagaran would have died of measles or smallpox in the epidemics that destroyed the Cadigal and other Sydney Harbour peoples, but the novel is skillful in reminding us that there was a chance, and it was lost.
sbones's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed the gentle pace of this book starting off with Daniel Rooke as a young boy who’s shyness exempts him the norm but his love of learning and the stars starts the journey he takes in 1788 to New South Wales study the stars. It is much more than this though it charts his discovery of himself as a person and the understanding of new lands. His friendship with an aboriginal child builds a friendship which makes for beautiful prose and understanding that we all have a place in this world and we are all connected even if we view it differently. An enjoyable read and will seek out more by this author, as she took me on a journey I didn’t know I wanted to travel on. I am interested in finding out more about William Dawes who this book is loosely based on.
labeet's review against another edition
3.0
Lovely book about a young astronomer who accompanies his Majesty's first shipment of convicts to New South Wales. The book's focus is on this brilliant but innocent young man's meeting with the Aboriginees.
lukemusto's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
jfisherhvl's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
galaxyfarrahway's review against another edition
5.0
This has been on my list for a while because Im so fascinated by the young Lieutenant Dawes and his friendship/relationship with the young Patyegarang in the early days of colonization. I read this in one sitting, I found it difficult to put down. A wonderful story.
milliepaige's review against another edition
3.0
An English assigned book I didn't vehemently hate? A miracle.
fiandaca's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this book but not as much as Grenville's first novel, The Secret River. Because the subject matter is so much the same among the two books, it's easy to compare them. What I liked better about this book was the protagonist-- Daniel Rooke was a more likeable person and, in contrast to Will from The Secret River, Daniel was strong enough to make the difficult choices that allowed him to maintain his integrity. Still, though, the book felt incomplete. I'd have liked to read about Daniel's full story, not just the beginning.