The Lieutenant Audiobook (Unabridged)

" Colonial Australia narrated by a postmodern Jiminy Cricket. Enjoyable, and even occasionally interesting, but also a bit self-indulgent. "

" I enjoyed this book tremendously. It gave a great insight to very early Australia - another book of Kate Grenville's I couldn't put down. "

" A quiet, moving story about a quiet, dry man involved in the original settling of New South Wales. The titular lieutenant, Rooke, joins the voyage out as a stand-in for the Astronomer Royal, to check on a theory of comets. Rooke comes to befriend an Aboriginal girl, who teaches him her language and very much more. "

" Based on real life events, this easy to read and charming novel focuses on a super-intelligent lieutenant who undergoes the experience of discovering new south wales while attempting to communicate with the Aboriginies. Enjoyable for anyone with an interest in that period of time. "

" I liked it, although I prefer books with more characters and sub-plots. Only the main character was developed. This felt like a novella that had big print to make it look like a novel. "

" A lovely story. Easy to read, whilst touching my heart. Another gem by a brilliant author. "

" Nydelig "

" Ideas this book while out camping in Australian bush land... It brought to home what these people must have experienced... An interesting read. "

" I love Kate's writing style. She describes moments of intimacy and connection so beautifully and tenderly. I loved her imagining of the meeting between the First Fleeters and the Cadigal tribes. "

" I loved the perspective of the main character, as he shifted his detailed, preternatural attention from astronomy to linguistics. This fascinating novel makes me want to read about William Dawes, the man on whom this story was based. "

" The second in a trilogy by Kate Grenville about the settling of Australian by British convicts. "

" Bit empty in terms of plot - it would have been what i'd call a gentle story, only it was quite violent in theme - some nice parts but a bit disjointed in terms of characterisation, and a disappointing flash forward ending - could have been a good book in the missed bits! "

" A fascinating insight into relationships between the colonists and indigenous Australians. Kate Grenville helps us to immerse ourselves in another time with her fabulous descriptions. "

" still well-researched and love anything based on Australian history but not as good as her first work. "

" Loved the interaction between the unconvinced English army officer and the local aborigine community after the first European landings. "

" I read this novel as part of coursework and oh boy I'm glad I did. The story is captivating and beautifully told. Grenville has an amazing talent in crafting a story based on a real person and tells a heartbreaking story which is ultimately about the choices we make and the effect they have. "

" Titles have so much bearing on whether or not I pick up a book. this one doesn't say much. And, if it hadn't been on a shelf at the thrift store, I might never have given it a second look. I'm glad I did. "

" I love Kate Grenville's writing and stories. This one was perhaps a little less multi-stranded than previous ones but still excellent. Recommended. "

" Lovely book about a young astronomer who accompanies his Majesty's first shipment of convicts to New South Wales. The book's focus is on this brilliant but innocent young man's meeting with the Aboriginees. "

" That's "leftenant" to you. A truly beautifully written book and really inspiring after so many depressing books about the woes of colonization. Not that colonization wasn't a woeful experience, but there were a few thoughtful souls who tried to make a difference. "

" a good story, I'm sure...felt a little uncomfortable reading it though, I think I might have liked it better at another time, in another state of mind "

" The background was interesting but the story took until the second half of the book to get going "

" I love Kate's writing style. She describes moments of intimacy and connection so beautifully and tenderly. I loved her imagining of the meeting between the First Fleeters and the Cadigal tribes. "

" She is a mastermind at capturing the isolation of the main character and his moral dilemma. It also portrays the beauty and untouched nature of Australia when first colonized. "

" Clever story. However, I felt that it ended a bit too abruptly. It was written fairly well and I enjoyed learning Southern astronomy and about New South Wales culture. "

" A very good story with a sound foundation that could have been excellent with a little more development. "

" Very interesting. But could easily put the bookd down and not return. Glad I finished. "

" A well done historical novel that reminded me of Geraldine Brooks books. Her descriptions of the life of the young lieutenant are very well done. The overall story was a little weak, though. "

" Daniel Rooke has to choose between doing his duty and maintaining the loyalty to the Aboriginals he has befriended. Gentle, thought provoking and beautifully written, this book was based on the historical records of a real person. "

" Interesting, but not really much of a plot. I liked the fact that the story took place during the early years of Australia's inhabitation by the British, but I was disappointed there wasn't more of a plot. The final chapter describes his final 50 years in a just a few pages. "