The Secret River

Publisher's synopsis

In 1806 William Thornhill, a man of quick temper and deep feelings, is transported from the slums of London to New South Wales for the term of his natural life. With his wife Sal and their children he arrives in a harsh land he cannot understand.But the colony can turn a convict into a free man.

Eight years later Thornhill sails up the Hawkesbury to claim a hundred acres for himself. Aboriginal people already live on that river. And other recent arrivals – Thomas Blackwood, Smasher Sullivan and Mrs Herring – are finding their own ways to respond to them.

Thornhill, a man neither better nor worse than most, soon has to make the most difficult choice of his life.

Inspired by research into her own family history, Kate Grenville vividly creates the reality of settler life, its longings, dangers and dilemmas. The Secret River is a brilliantly written book, a groundbreaking story about identity, belonging and ownership.

Upcoming resource

Awards

Winner, Commonwealth Writers’ Prize, 2006

Winner, NSW Premier’s Literary Awards, Christina Stead Prize and Community Relations Award, 2006

Winner, Fellowship of Australian Writers’ Christina Stead Award, 2006

Winner, Literary Fiction Book of the Year and Book of the Year, Australian Book Industry Awards, 2006

Shortlisted, Miles Franklin Award, 2006

Shortlisted, Man Booker Prize, 2006

Winner, Australia Council Award for Lifetime Achievement in Literature, 2017

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Kate Grenville

Kate Grenville was born in Sydney and holds degrees from Sydney University and the University of Colorado. In 1984 her first book, a collection of stories – Bearded Ladies – was published. Her works of fiction have been published to acclaim in Australia and overseas and have won state and national awards and her books about the writing process are used in many writing courses in schools and universities. Much-loved novels such as Lilian’s Story (1985), Dark Places (1995) and Joan Makes History (1988) have become classics, admired by critics and general readers alike. The Secret River (2005), published in more than twenty countries, was awarded the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize, and was shortlisted for both the Miles Franklin Literary Award and the Man Booker Prize. The Lieutenant was shortlisted for the New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australian Premiers’ Awards.The Idea of Perfection (2000) won the Orange Prize.

Further Details

Author Kate Grenville

Publisher Text Publishing

Date of Publication 2005

ISBN 9781925240061

Category Novels