By Rolf Boldrewood

"Old Melbourne Memories" delves into the rich history of one of Australia's most iconic cities. Through a collection of vivid photographs, personal anecdotes, and historical accounts, this book offers readers a glimpse into the past of Melbourne. From its humble beginnings to its transformation into a bustling metropolis, each page is a tribute to the city's remarkable journey. Whether you are a history enthusiast or simply curious about Melbourne's past, this book is a captivating exploration of a bygone era that will resonate with readers of all backgrounds.

Robertson, 1884, 182 pages

By Rolf Boldrewood

In A Crooked Stick or Pollie's Probation, readers are taken on a compelling journey through the trials and tribulations of Pollie as she navigates a crucial period of her life. Author X delves deep into Pollie's character, exploring her flaws, her strengths, and her transformation throughout the narrative.

Set against the backdrop of a quaint English countryside, the story follows Pollie as she grapples with personal demons, societal expectations, and the complexities of relationships. With vivid descriptions and insightful prose, Author X crafts a rich tapestry of emotions and experiences that will resonate with readers of all backgrounds.

Pollie's Probation is not just a tale of redemption and self-discovery; it is a poignant reflection on the human condition and the universal quest for belonging and purpose. As Pollie embarks on her journey of growth and introspection, readers are invited to ponder their own paths and choices, making this novel a truly thought-provoking and captivating read.

Macmillan and Company, 1895, 306 pages

By Rolf Boldrewood

"A Sydney Side Saxon" is a captivating tale that delves into the complexities of identity, heritage, and belonging. Set against the backdrop of multicultural Sydney, the story follows the protagonist as she navigates the challenges of straddling two worlds—the traditional expectations of her Anglo-Saxon lineage and the vibrant diversity of her Australian upbringing. As she learns to embrace her heritage while forging her own path, readers are taken on a poignant journey of self-discovery and acceptance. With richly drawn characters and evocative storytelling, this novel is a compelling exploration of cultural fusion and the universal quest for understanding one's place in the world.

Heinemann and Balestier, 1891, 96 pages

By Rolf Boldrewood

Robbery Under Arms was acclaimed as an Australian classic almost immediately after it appeared in book form in the late 1880s. It was praised for its excitement, romance and authentic picture of 1850s colonial life. As the first writer to attempt a long narrative in the voice of an uneducated Australian bushman, Rolf Boldrewood had created a story with enduring cultural resonance. Its continuing appeal and popularity have seen the tale frequently adapted for stage, radio, film and television. During all of this time the novel's text was not stable. It lost some material accidentally in its early typesettings, and these omissions were never repaired. It was later abridged by its author at the publisher's request, but the publisher botched his instructions. And, as with any much-reprinted work, thousands of small changes gradually crept into the text. This Academy Edition is the first full-scale critical edition of the novel. It presents the text as it originally appeared in instalments in the pages of the Sydney Mail in 1882-83. It allows readers to experience the first-person narration that Henry Lawson was inspired by, to appreciate how the special qualities of voice were partially flattened over time and to know exactly what material was omitted.

Univ. of Queensland Press, 2006, 479 pages

By Rolf Boldrewood

"The Squatter's Dream" is a thought-provoking novel that delves into the complexities of identity, belonging, and the pursuit of the Australian dream. Set against the backdrop of the harsh Australian outback, the story follows the journey of a young squatter named Jack as he grapples with his aspirations for the future and the harsh realities of his present circumstances. Through vivid storytelling and rich character development, this novel challenges readers to question the true meaning of success and the sacrifices one must make to achieve it. "The Squatter's Dream" is a poignant exploration of hope, resilience, and the enduring human spirit in the face of adversity.

Macmillan and Company, 1892, 319 pages

By Rolf Boldrewood

In "Ghost Camp" by Rolf Boldrewood, readers are transported to the rugged Australian outback, where the forces of nature and the human spirit collide in a gripping tale of survival and redemption. Set against the backdrop of the unforgiving wilderness, this novel follows a diverse group of characters as they navigate the challenges of the frontier.

Boldrewood's vivid descriptions bring to life the harsh beauty of the Australian landscape, from the scorching heat of the day to the eerie stillness of the night. As the characters face their demons and forge unlikely alliances, they discover the true meaning of courage and sacrifice.

"Ghost Camp" is a timeless classic that delves into themes of loyalty, resilience, and the unbreakable bond between humans and the natural world. Boldrewood's masterful storytelling and rich character development will captivate readers from start to finish, making this a must-read for fans of historical fiction and adventure tales.

Macmillan, 1902 - 409 pages

By Colleen McCullough

FROM THE COVER: “The publication thirteen years ago of Birds was a landmark event, a remarkable achievement now surpassed by a novel in which storytelling and scholarship combine to bring to life one of history's most important epochs. The First Man in Rome sweeps the reader into an irresistibly vivid world of political intrigue, danger, wars, assassinations, devas- tating upheaval, intricately passionate family alliances and rivalries - and undeniable reality. It is New Year's Day of 110 B.C., and two of the latest in a long line of noble Roman mediocrities are assuming the coveted mantle of consul. But among those watching are two very different men, men whose vision, ruthlessness, and courage will force shattering change upon the Roman Republic, strug- gling to cope with mushrooming territorial possessions and the growing resentment of the Italians it treats as third-class citizens. One of these two men is Marius, a wealthy rustic barred by his low birth from grasping his prophesied destiny, to become the First Man in Rome- he who stands above all his peers through sheer excellence. The second is (continued on back flap)…..”

NY. William Morrow and Company, Inc. 1960. 897p. USED BOOK CONTAINS MARK-UP

By Kim Scott

"That Deadman Dance" is a novel by Kim Scott, first published in 2010. The novel is set in Western Australia in the early 1800s, and tells the story of a young Noongar boy named Bobby Wabalanginy and his encounters with the first British settlers in the region.

Bobby is a curious and energetic child who is fascinated by the newcomers and their strange customs, language, and technology. He befriends several of the settlers, including the kind-hearted Dr. Cross and the ambitious Lieutenant Dan Horton, and becomes a bridge between the two cultures.

However, as the British settlers begin to establish their presence in the region, conflicts and tensions arise between them and the Noongar people, and Bobby finds himself caught in the middle. As he navigates his way through the rapidly changing landscape of his world, Bobby must confront difficult questions about identity, belonging, and the legacy of colonialism.

Australia Macmillan. 2010. 401p.

By Phillippa Gregory

London. Harper Collins. 2009. 491p.

"The Other Queen" is a historical fiction novel by Philippa Gregory, published in 2008. The book is set in 16th century England and Scotland, and tells the story of Mary, Queen of Scots, who is imprisoned by her cousin Queen Elizabeth I of England.

The novel is told from the perspective of three women: Mary, Queen of Scots; Elizabeth Talbot, Countess of Shrewsbury; and Georgiana, Duchess of Bedford. Elizabeth Talbot is charged with the care of Mary during her imprisonment and becomes her confidante, while Georgiana is a friend of Elizabeth I who becomes involved in the political intrigues surrounding Mary's imprisonment.

"The Other Queen" is a richly detailed and meticulously researched work of historical fiction that offers a compelling glimpse into the lives of the powerful women who shaped 16th century England and Scotland. Gregory's prose is vivid and engaging, and her characters are complex and nuanced, with their own desires, fears, and motivations.

By Robert Harris

London. Hutchinson. 2003. 341p.

The novel is set against the backdrop of the impending eruption of Mount Vesuvius, which eventually destroys the city of Pompeii and leads to the death of thousands of its inhabitants. Harris uses meticulous historical research to bring the city and its inhabitants to life, and the novel provides a vivid and immersive portrayal of life in ancient Rome.

The novel also explores themes of greed, corruption, and political intrigue, as Attilius uncovers a conspiracy involving the corrupt aquarius in charge of Pompeii's water supply, as well as the wealthy and powerful Pompeian elite. The novel's suspenseful plot and vivid descriptions of the eruption of Mount Vesuvius create a gripping and immersive reading experience.

By D. H. Lawrence

Kangaroo is D. H. Lawrence's eighth novel, set in Australia. He wrote the first draft in just forty-five days while living south of Sydney, in 1922, and revised it three months later in New Mexico. The descriptions of the country are vivid and sympathetic and the book fuses lightly disguised autobiography with an exploration of political ideas at an immensely personal level. Based on a collation of the manuscript, typescripts and first editions, this text of Kangaroo is closest to what Lawrence would have expected to see in print. There is a full textual apparatus of variants, a comprehensive introduction giving the background and history of composition and publication and a summary of contemporary reviewers' opinions. Explanatory notes elucidate the many geographical, political and literary allusions in the text; there are three maps and an appendix detailing Australian locations.

London. Thomas Seltzer Inc. 1923. 367p.

By Courtney Collins

This moving debut novel was inspired by the life of Australian Elizabeth Jessie Hickman, a runaway convict born in 1820. In Collins poetically reimagined tribute, 22-year-old Jessie is on the run after killing her brutal husband. She has recently given birth to a stillborn child whose spirit is somehow tethered to her mother and who narrates the story. Jessie has already lived a dramatic life; she once worked as a circus acrobat and then as a horse rustler but is now desperate to escape the posse of men who want to hang her for murder. While she runs, she thinks of her short, sweet relationship with the Aboriginal stockman Jack Brown, whose gentle ways were a welcome relief from the beatings administered by her drunken husband. She finds an idyllic camp in the mountains made up of desperate boys who steal horses and thinks she might finally have found a refuge, but the lawmen are not far behind. This intense read, with dark undertones of death and foreboding, contains breathtaking descriptions of the Australian bush and a lyrical homage to Jessie’s desperate quest for freedom.

NY. Berkley Books. 2012. 284p.

By Katharine Susannah Prichard

From the jacket: No writer has painted a more vivid picture of the tragic meeting of primi­tive and civilized humanity than Katharine Susannah Prichard in Coonardoo. First published in 1929, this remarkable novel has become an Australian classic, as moving in its deli­cate portraiture of an aboriginal girl as it is revealing in its authentic know­ledge of the outback scene in north­western Australia. The little black girl Coonardoo and the boy Hugh are childhood play­mates, and the relationship that gradually develops from their early bond is compelling and disastrous. Coonardoo has her tribal partner; Hugh, the station-owner, must marry. This drama is played out in the deserts and cattle country of the north­west, a cruel story redeemed by the poetic quality-of Coonardoo and her devotion to the man whose race dealt so harshly with hers.

Melbourne. Angus and Robertson. 1929.

By Pierre Magnan

Translated from the French by Patricia Clancy. “It is June 1945. The war is over. As dawn breaks over the hills of Provence, Pierrot, a 15-year-old boy, stumbles across the body of Capitaine Patrocle, a local hero of the Resistance. He has been murdered. In his wallet Pierrot finds a letter written on blue paper, which he conceals beneath his beret. It provides the key to the dramatic events that lie at the heart of this haunting story of illicit passions and pitiless revenge, and leads, ultimately, to the boy’s association with the beautiful Madame Henry and his introduction to the mysteries of love. “ ‘Magnan’s evocation of sun-baked landscapes and small-town Provencal life, still smarting from
the Occupation and the Vichy betrayals, is superb.’ The Times.

London.. Vintage. 1999. 254p.