Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Currawong Creek by Jennifer Scoullar

Genre: General/Rural Fiction
Publication Date: 26th June 2103
Pages: 304
Book Source: Penguin Aust & NetGalley

Synopsis: Brisbane lawyer Clare Mitchell has a structured, orderly life. That is, until she finds herself the unlikely guardian of a small, troubled boy. In desperation, Clare takes Jack to stay at Currawong Creek, her grandfather's horse stud in the foothills of the beautiful Bunya Mountains.

Currawong feels like home and Clare relaxes for the first time in years. Her grandad adores having them there. Jack loves the animals. And Clare finds herself falling hard for the handsome local vet.

But trouble is coming. The Pyramid Mining Company threatens to destroy the land Clare loves – and with it, her newfound happiness ...

My Thoughts:
There's just something about a beautifully written story set in a location you're intimately familiar with ... it's a vivid & nostalgic trip down memory lane. Currawong Creek tugs on the heartstrings not just for location but for characters that were as real to me as friends next door. 

Currawong Creek opens in Brisbane (where I live) with legal aid lawyer Clare Mitchell feverishly balancing a career and heavy work load with a large dog and city apartment living. When Clare takes on guardianship of a client's troubled young son and her life descends into unqualified chaos she seeks the solace and magic of 'home' on her Grandfather's property. I spent much of my early adulthood on the Darling Downs, in a small town not far from the Bunya Mountains and I can promise you Jennifer Scoullar has nailed the rural landscape and community.  

I fell in love with Clare and her dog Samson, four year old Jack, local vet Tom and Clare's darling grandad. Such an endearing bunch, Ms Scoullar had me caring about them all from the get go, warts and all. 

Currawong Creek has that wonderful character/plot driven blend. There's a lot going on but for the most part it works ... funny moments, laughs and tears, a beautifully written scene with Buddy the cockatoo that had me bawling like a baby, a sweet romance, entwined with the bigger issues relevant today - children at risk, the foster care system, the environmental and health debate surrounding the controversial coal seam gas extraction.  

All up, a thought provoking, emotive read with a delightful warmth.

Recommend: I'm now going to hunt down everything this talented Australian author has ever written, that should tell you :)


Connect with Jennifer Scoullar


8 comments:

  1. I am sure you will also enjoy Brumby's Run Sheree

    Shelleyrae @ Book'd Out

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    1. It's next on my wishlist Shelleyrae, I'll let you know when I've read it :)

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  2. Replies
    1. You would enjoy this one Julie, it has a little bit of everything good!

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  3. 1st book by this Aussie author, definitely won't be my last Nise!

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  4. I saw this on Netgalley but didn't ask for it however after your review I am going to buy it, it sounds good. Sometimes books set in your own country can have a little of a cringe factor I find. Sometimes I hate the books set in New Zealand, unless written by an author who really knows the place.

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  5. Really great review but I'm going to have to wait and see if Book Depository eventually has it in stock because it's currently unavailable. But thank you for the awesome review, I will pick it up once I can find a copy.

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  6. I would love to read this if for no other reason than to become more familiar with the area that you grew up in and loved! Sounds wonderful!!!!

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