The Secret River by Kate Grenville
In Brief
The Orange Prize–winning author Kate Grenville recalls her family's history in an astounding novel about the pioneers of New South Wales.
William Thornhill, a Thames bargeman, is deported to the New South Wales colony in what would become Australia in 1806. In this new world of convicts and charlatans, Thornhill tries to pull his family into a position of power and comfort. When he rounds a bend in the Hawkesbury River and sees a gentle slope of land, he becomes determined to make the place his own. But, as uninhabited as the island appears, Australia is full of native people, and they do not take kindly to Thornhill’s theft of their home.
The Secret River is the tale of Thornhill's deep love for his small corner of the new world, and his slow realization that if he wants to settle there, he must ally himself with the most despicable of the white settlers, and to keep his family safe, he must permit terrifying cruelty to come to innocent people.
| 1. Rating | 8.5 out of 10 |
| 2. Recommended | The majority of the group said they would recommend the book to friends |
| 3. Audience | The book would suit all age groups, including older teenagers. It would appeal equally to men and women. |
| 4. Type of Read | The language of the book was easy to read, but it was sad and serious. Some found it upsetting in parts |
| 5. Quality of Author | Most people would read other books by this author. There is a sequel to this book and some people would look to read this in the future |