The making of Martin Sparrow

Former convict, Martin Sparrow, is now free and is attempting to farm a piece of land on the banks of the Hawkesbury River. Then in 1806 a series of floods destroys his land. Sparrow needs to decide whether to start again or to attempt to make a new start elsewhere. There are rumours of a new community, free from the control of the convict settlement, on the other side of the mountains. But although a number of people have searched for the path, no one returns who has been successful.

This is historian Peter Cochrane's second novel set in colonial New South Wales. He provides graphic descriptions of the rugged environment in which settlers attempt to establish new lives, the relationships between the settlers and the natives who regularly visit the area and the attempts of Sydney, via the military, to control what the settlers can, or cannot, do. This is largely an environment of every person for himself. Consequently it is difficult to know who you can trust.

Although the novel primarily details the challenges faced by Martin Sparrow it also includes sections providing descriptions of the lives of other characters on the Hawkesbury. This is a cruel world in which many will fail but some may succeed.

A list of useful sources relating to the history of the colony at this time is included at the back of the book.

The making of Martin Sparrow - review - Sydney Morning Herald 20 July 2018