Spirits of the Ghan

Spirits of the Ghan by Judy Nunn is set in outback Australia, especially the Northern Territory from 1876 to 2001. At the heart of the story is the completion of the building of the Ghan railway from Darwin to Alice Springs linking with the section of the railway already in existence between Alice Springs and Adelaide. As much of the desert crossed by the railway is Aboriginal land, negotiations need to be made with Indigenous peoples to ensure that the railway will not encroach on sacred sites.

Many stories are revealed throughout the novel. Jessica Manning, an anthropologist, acts as a negotiator between the railway management and Aboriginal people. Jess' mother, Rosie, was removed from her family when she was a young child to be be brought up by white settlers. When she was 16 Rosie ran away and eventually married an Irish musician, Toby Manning. Jess gradually learns of her mother's early life though Rosie has no contact with her true family. Jess and Toby decide to investigate Rosie's story and Jess finds herself welcomed into Rosie's world.

While working in the Northern Teritory Jess meets surveyor, Matthew Witherton, and together they strive to preserve a sacred site that Jess has discovered. Throughout the book the reader is provided with exerpts of the story of this site, dating back to the 1870s, and its significance though much of the story is hidden from the main characters.

Many historical events are included in this novel including the building of the overland telegraph, the first attempts to build a railway in the desert, the importance of the Afghan camel trains in the desert, the completion of the Ghan railway, the Stolen Generation, lives of Aboriginal people in different parts of Australia as well as the importance of the land to Indigenous Australians. Throughout the novel Jess and Matt also come to a greater understanding about their own lives.