The Limestone Road

This was an appropriate book to read during the week before Anzac Day.  

The Limestone Road by Nicole Alexander is the story of Canning Christie and his father Michael as they try to make a new life for themselves after returning from serving in the Australian armed forces in North Africa during the Second World War. They were both injured during the same battle and repatriated home. The Australian Government had initiated a Soldier Settlement Scheme providing land for returned soldiers to farm. Canning and his father had acquired a property near Mount Gambier in South Australia.

Part of the property had been planted with tobacco plants which were ready to harvest. Michael quickly developed plans to increase the size of the plantation but Canning wanted to focus on the vineyard which was also established on their land. Initially they tried to work on both crops. 

For the first five years the land belonged to the government and there were many regulations that had to be observed. However it was also possible to have the assistance of Italian POWs, especially during harvest. This caused additional problems as both Canning and Michael had been fighting against Italian soldiers overseas. Canning also had assistance from Bastian who was avoiding authorities as during the First World War he had been interned because he was German and wanted to avoid that happening again.

The above issues affected the lives of both Canning and Michael as they attempted to adapt to living a life without war. Both the men had incurred severe physical injuries but they were both also suffering from shell shock, now referred to as PTSD. Canning, in particular, suffered from regular nightmares and, often, what  could be considered as ordinary incidents could aggravate past memories.

In The Limestone Road Nicole Alexander has written a moving historical fiction novel describing the challenges faced by many soldiers attempting to adapt to a 'normal' life after serving in wars overseas.

The Cedar Tree

When Brandon O'Riain, step sister Molly and cousin, Sean flee Ireland in 1864 for a new life in Australia they were unprepared for what the future might bring in this different country. Conflicts between Irish settlers, between  the Irish and the English, between Catholics and Protestants are themes throughout this family saga. 

The story is initially set in the 1860s in Ireland and then in New South Wales where the brothers earn a living cutting cedar in the Richmond Valley. In the 1940s we meet Stella and Joe who try their luck on a sheep property in western New South Wales. When disaster occurs Stella returns to the home of her brother-in-law until she can make new plans. While there she hopes to discover the secret as to the cause of a major rift in family relations.Stubborness is a family trait.

Although a work of fiction a stream of historical facts occur throughout the novel enabling the reader to appreciate another aspect of Australian history and perhaps understand some of the challenges faced by Irish immigrants.

Irish in Australia - https://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/irish-culture/irish-culture-irish-in-australia

Stone Country

In this book, Nicole Alexander has written a family saga about the Grant family during the first forty years of the twentieth century.

The main character in the story is Ross who we initially meet as a young boy largely being manipulated by his older brother Alastair. They live with their parents and grandmother in Adelaide. The family owns large land holdings in South Australia and the Northern Territory and it is Ross' wish that, when they grow up, he and Alastair should visit the northern property, Waybell. However World War I intervenes and Alastair joins the army. The family will not allow Ross to go too, a decision he comes to regret. When Alastair is wounded and then disappears he is eventually presumed dead.

Then a woman arrives at the house from England claiming to be Alastair's fiancee and the family decides that the right thing for Ross to do is to marry Alastair's promised bride, even though he does not know her. Ross eventually agrees but only if he can go north as he originally planned.

The book is therefore about family relationships, relationships between Darcey and Ross and also between Ross and Maria, a young girl he meets in the Northern Territory. Themes revolve around the effects of the First World War on men who served and on their families as well as on men who did not join the army. The major theme, however, is the outback and its affect on individuals. Nicole Anderson describes vividly the countryside and life on the property, Waybel, isolated from other properties in the region. She also provides vivid descriptions of the harsh landscape through which Ross wanders when he is trying to rediscover himself.