Download The Secret River Audiobook (Unabridged)

" I can't add anything to the reviews that have already been posted - suffice to say, a brilliant read, thoroughly researched and historically fascinating! "

" Well-written, interesting book about a man who is sentenced to death in early 1800s England and has his sentenced commuted to life in the penal colony in New South Wales. His family is allowed to go with him and the story tells how they adapted to their new life. The story is very compelling and it was hard to put the book down. The ending was not the one I was hoping for but was probably the historically realistic ending. "

" I don't remember why I had this book on my list and when I realized it was about convicts settling Australia in early 1800's, I almost didn't read it - just didn't want any more horror stories of convicts and aboriginal people being brutalized. It is to Grenville's credit as a writer that I became absorbed and mostly enjoyed the book. I ended up liking her approach and I found the main character likable and real and appreciate how Grenville shows the complexity of life in new Australia. "

" Engagingly depicts and humanizes the conflicts of a marginalized convict condemned to colonize. To survive he must victimize the colonized in much the same way he was victimized in England. A excellent exploration of inner-conflict. "

" Stunning fictional account of a man transported to Australia with his family after he steals wood in order to survive. Grenville conveys powerfully what it must have been like trying to stake a claim in a "new" world. What would you have done if you faced a choice between your dream for you and your family in a new land and doing right by the aboriginal people whose land it is? Emotionally and morally complex tale. "

" Loved this book. It gave a good insight what immigration into Australia must have been in the 19th century and although I felt sad about the evolution of their love, it was well documented and felt real. "

" A little gem of a novel. It tells the tale of a convict sent to New South Wales and who builds a new life for his family. The crux of the novel is a the growing conflict between the White pioneers and the local Aboriginal tribe. Tip top, and William Thornhill's wife - Sal - is a beautifully drawn figure. Cracking. "

" An interesting historical fiction spanning the work life in London to the early life in Australia. "

" Excellent account of Australia's first settlers historical journey. This book is about the moral costs of building a nation. Highly entertaining & thought provoking. "

" AUSTRALIA "

" This is a well-written and therefore compelling historic story. Grenville conveys the Australian colonial era, uncomfortably as one of struggle for foreigners and natives alike. The tale is touching and often quite sad, and Grenville tells it in a way that is simple yet gripping. "

" Beginning in 18th Century London, The Secret River tells the story of William Thornhill who becomes a waterman on the Thames and eventually in New South Wales. Kate Grenville has woven a story that should become a classic. "

" Compelling read by Kate. Terrifying insight into early Australian settlement and the aboriginal devastation "

" Interesting concept of chucking it all for a place of your own but the violence turned me off even though it was in keeping with the story. Just thought it was OK. "

" I learned a lot about Australia's history "

" Kind of a weird book about a family who goes to Australia because he is sent there as a prisoner. Glad I listened to this one, as my mind could wander as I listened. "

" A good thoughtful book. It gave a good insight as to what it must have been like to have been deported to Australia and the early development of that country. "

" Very hard to get into this dry, desert of a book. Seemed so bleak and desolate. Learned some things about fortitude, determination and Australian debtor's colonies that related to my understanding of the founding of Georgia. "

" Lovely book - superbly well written, evocative, haunting descriptions and likeable, believable characters. "

" I liked the way this author chose to introduce and explain her characters. It read more like a memoir, but it was historical fiction. I liked the detail and how tightly the details were woven together. It was well written, but the story was sad because of the time period. "

" Really well written and very interesting. It made me feel very embarrassed by the treatment of the Aboriginies when Europeans migrated to Australia so parts of this novel were very hard to read. "

" Difficult to read probably because it was realistic. "

" Read Kindle version & enjoyed.... See other reviews to refresh "

" Takes you into the life of the characters so well both physically and emotionally. Fascinated by the clash of cultures/desires/claims to the land of the aboriginals vs the settlers. "

" A sad story of conquest. Success for one means destruction for another. "He did not understand why it did not feel like triumph." Similar stories across every continent. "

" Kept waiting for this book to get good. Very interesting setting, time, and plot. Kinda of a Swiss family Robinson story, but the writing and story telling I found really poor. Got half way through and bailed, which I very rarely do. Maybe it picks up but I lost patience with it "

" Very well-written Australian classic. An engaging novel about a working class British couple sent down under when it was a penal colony. It probes the effects of empire on everyone concerned. A great read. "

" Intriguing story about Australian early settlers. Good story and characterization "

" Not a pleasant book to read but well worth reading. "

" The story is about hope and how might is right. What Americans did to the Indians, the Australians did to their natives there. Robbed them of of their innocence!!!

Its a must read. "

" An interesting story of life in New South Wales in the early 1800's "

" Brilliant book, loved it, perhaps because I am so familiar with the area but made to realise how much I didn't know "

" In short:
I want a sequel with Blackwood and Dick, because I hated everyone else (except for Sal, at first). "

" Heart-breaking. Yes, Melanie. I did have a small cry. If only we could undo what was done. "

" I'm pretty sure i'll make it past the "50" "

" Utterly beautiful writing but terribly sad. "

" I did love it, beautifully written, very evocative of the time and place. It made me feel uncomfortable, the harshness of the times and there were some very disturbing incidents - but I guess that made it real (albeit a bit sad/depressing!) "