A Darn Good Read: The Philosopher's Daughters by Alison BoothBook Review - Blog Tour

Publication Date: April 2, 2020
RedDoor Press
Paperback & eBook; 356 Pages
Genre: Historical Fiction

Synopsis

A tale of two very different sisters whose 1890s voyage from London into remote outback Australia becomes a journey of self-discovery, set against a landscape of wild beauty and savage dispossession.

London in 1891: Harriet Cameron is a talented young artist whose mother died when she was barely five. She and her beloved sister Sarah were brought up by their father, radical thinker James Cameron. After adventurer Henry
Vincent arrives on the scene, the sisters' lives are changed forever. Sarah, the beauty of the family, marries Henry and embarks on a voyage to Australia. Harriet, intensely missing Sarah, must decide whether to help her father with his life's work or devote herself to painting.

When James Cameron dies unexpectedly, Harriet is overwhelmed by grief. Seeking distraction, she follows Sarah to Australia, and afterwards into the Northern Territory outback, where she is alienated by the casual violence and great injustices of outback life.

Her rejuvenation begins with her friendship with an Aboriginal stockman and her growing love for the landscape. But this fragile happiness is soon threatened by murders at a nearby cattle station and by a menacing station hand seeking revenge.

My Thoughts

Harriet Cameron and her sister, Sarah, have been raised by their philosopher father to be free thinkers. Harriet, who works closely with their father, has a stronger bond with him and also a more political outlook than Sarah. However, both support women’s rights and share a passion for the arts: Harriet is an aspiring artist and Sarah loves music, a passion she shares with her husband, Henry Vincent.

When Henry takes Sarah to Australia, Harriet is resentful and believes that Sarah has sacrificed her own freedom, and possibly her future happiness, to satisfy Henry’s whims.

After their father dies, Harriet decides to visit Sarah in Australia. On the voyage, her disregard of society’s rules and her independent nature causes problems and she makes a vindictive enemy.

But nothing prepares Harriet for the way of life on Dimbulah Station in the remote Northern Territory. Sarah adapts quickly and sees the beauty around her. Harriet, on the other hand, is very critical and expresses her opinions regardless of the repercussions. She dislikes Henry more for bringing Sarah to such a harsh and dangerous place, but as the story unfolds, Sarah proves she has lots of courage and determination, and Henry is not the villain that Harriet believes. Eventually, Harriet comes to appreciate the beauty of the landscape and finds inner peace through her art and the friendship of an Aboriginal stockman.

This is a very captivating story of two sisters, who are quite unprepared for the reality of life on a remote station in Australia and how they embrace their new lives and find a place to belong. It reflects the social mores of the time, especially how the indigenous people were treated, but is also testament to the enduring nature of love and acceptance. A great read and one I'm happy to recommend.

Alison Booth was born in Melbourne, brought up in Sydney and has worked in the UK and in Australia as a professor as well as a novelist. Her most recent novel, A Perfect Marriage, is in the genre of contemporary fiction, while her first three novels (Stillwater Creek, The Indigo Sky, and A Distant Land) are historical fiction spanning the decades 1950s through to the early 1970s. Alison's work has been translated into French and has also been published by Reader's Digest Select Editions in both Asia and Europe. Alison, who holds a PhD in Economics from the London School of Economics, is an active public speaker and has participated in many writers' festivals and literary events.

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Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, June 15
Review at Passages to the Past

Wednesday, June 17
Excerpt at Donna's Book Blog

Thursday, June 18
Guest Post at Gwendalyn's Books

Friday, June 19
Feature at What Is That Book About

Saturday, June 20
Feature at Reading is My Remedy

Tuesday, June 23
Review at Chicks, Rogues and Scandals

Wednesday, June 24
Excerpt at The Caffeinated Bibliophile

Friday, June 26
Interview at Jorie Loves A Story

Monday, June 29
Review at A Darn Good Read

Wednesday, July 1
Excerpt at Bookworlder

Friday, July 3
Feature at I'm All About Books

Monday, July 6
Review at Impressions In Ink

Giveaway (US Only)

During the Blog Tour, we are giving away a copy of The Philosopher's Daughters! To enter, please use the Gleam form HERE

Giveaway Rules

– Giveaway ends at 11:59 pm EST on July 6th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
– Paperback giveaway is open to the US only.
– Only one entry per household.
– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspicion of fraud will be decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.
– The winner has 48 hours to claim prize or a new winner is chosen.