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The Drover's Wife
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Format: Paperback / softback
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The Drover's Wife
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?
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Description
The Drover's Wife is now in cinemas, from Leah Purcell, named as one of the 100 figures shaping Australia's creative future. The novel is utterly authentic, brilliantly plotted, thoroughly harrowing, and entirely of our times, exploring race, gender, violence, and inheritance.
Deep in the heart of Australia's high country, along an ancient, hidden track, live Molly Johnson and her children. Husband Joe is away droving, leaving his family in the bush to fend for itself. Molly's children are her world, and life is hard with only their dog, Alligator, and a shotgun for protection—but it can be harder when Joe is around.
Molly's eldest son, Danny, is the true man of the house, determined to see his mother and siblings safe—from raging floodwaters, hunger, and intruders. Danny is mature, but there are some things no child should see. He knows more than most just what it takes to be a drover's wife.
One night, Molly has a visitor—a black 'story keeper', Yadaka. He's on the run from authorities and exchanges kindness for shelter. Both know that justice in this nation caught between two worlds can be as brutal as its landscape. But in their short time together, Yadaka shows Molly a secret truth and the strength to imagine a different path.
In this brave reimagining of the Henry Lawson short story that has become an Australian classic, Purcell brings us a compelling thriller of our pioneering past that confronts head-on issues of today—race, gender, violence, and inheritance.
Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
The Drover's Wife by Leah Purcell has received praise for its powerful storytelling and immersive depiction of rural Australian life. Reviewers often highlight the novel's deep exploration of themes such as resilience and survival, as well as its intricate character development. Purcell's reimagining of the classic tale has been noted for its emotional depth and social commentary, making it a compelling read in the historical fiction genre.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781761041938
Publisher: Penguin Random House Australia
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 17 August 2021
Country: Australia
Imprint: Penguin Random House Australia
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 20.0mm
Width: 130.0mm
Height: 196.0mm
Weight: 224g
Pages: 288
About the Author
Leah Purcell is a multi-award-winning and self-made author, playwright, actor, director, filmmaker, producer, screenwriter and showrunner. At the heart of her work are female and First Nation themes, characters and issues. The Drover's Wife was first a play written by and starring Purcell, which premiered at Belvoir St Theatre in late 2016 and swept the board during the 2017 awards season, winning the New South Wales Premier's Literary Award for Playwriting and Book of the Year; the Victorian Premier's Literary Award for Drama and the Victorian Prize for Literature; the Australian Writers' Guild Award for Best Stage Work, Major Work and the David Williamson Prize for Excellence in Writing for Australian Theatre; the Helpmann Award for Best Play and Best New Australian Work; and the Sydney-UNESCO City of Film Award. The feature film adaptation of The Drover's Wife, written, directed and starring Leah Purcell, is slated for a 2020 release. Leah Purcell is a proud Goa, Gunggari, Wakka Wakka Murri woman from Queensland.
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Is That You, Ruthie? The Play
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The semi-autobiographical story of Leah Purcell - or her alter ego Stephanie - traces the events of her life growing up on an impoverished Aboriginal mission in Queensland. Despite the poverty, violence, lack of education and opportunity, Stephanie is nurtured through the love of her family. Box the Pony beautifully captures Stephanie's journey, highlighting the resilience and strength that define...Paperback$2799Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
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Survival, truth telling and hope . . . A unique and powerful illustrated book inspired by Leah Purcell's bestselling novel The Drover's Wife. A yarn of bonding and the sharing of stories that celebrates the impact of a good man and a strong role model, and stands as a testament to the hardships and resilience of Australia's First Nations peoples....Hardback$2800Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks
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