A man called Holland, living on a remote estate in New South Wales, planted on his land a collection of all eucalyptus trees known to man. He then set, for his beautiful and only daughter Ellen, one of those traps essential to fairy tales: only a man who could correctly name each tree in his vast collection could have her hand in marriage.
On a country property a man named Holland lives with his daughter Ellen. Over the years, as she grows into a beautiful young woman, he plants hundreds of different gum trees on his land. When Ellen is 19 her father announces his decision: she will marry the man who can name all the species of eucalypt, down to the last tree.
Suitors emerge from all corners, including the formidable, straight-backed Mr Cave, world expert on the varieties of eucalypt. And then, walking among her father's trees, Ellen chances on a strange young man who in the days that follow tells her dozens of stories set in cities, deserts, faraway countries.
Haunting and mesmerising, Eucalyptus illuminates the nature of storytelling itself.
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"I am a sucker for novels that use a fairy tale format. Here a "princess" named Ellen is only allowed to marry a "prince" who can name all of her father's eucalyptus trees. The story is beautifully written, the characters appealing, and the novel isn't very long. I enjoyed it very much."
—
Sherry (4 out of 5 stars)