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The Burning Island

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( 593 ratings, 97 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
In The Burning Island by Jock Serong, the narrative unfolds along the treacherous coastlines of 19th century Australia. It follows a determined voyage led by a daughter desperate to uncover the truth about her father's mysterious disappearance. As tensions rise aboard the ship, characters confront both natural and human perils, revealing hidden secrets and intense conflicts against a backdrop of colonial intrigue.
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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?

You might enjoy this gripping crime and thriller novel if you are drawn to tales set against a historical backdrop and appreciate complex characters and atmospheric storytelling. It offers a blend of adventure, mystery, and well-researched historical elements, making it a compelling read for fans of vivid period dramas and enthralling plots.

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A father’s obsession, a daughter's quest

A father's obsession, a daughter's quest.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

A father's obsession, a daughter's quest.

Eliza Grayling, born in Sydney when the colony itself was still an infant, has lived there all her thirty-two years. Too tall, too stern—too old, now—for marriage, she looks out for her reclusive father, Joshua, and wonders about his past. There is a shadow there—an old enmity.

When Joshua Grayling is offered the chance for a reckoning with his nemesis, Eliza is horrified. It involves a sea voyage with an uncertain, probably violent, outcome. Insanity for an elderly blind man, let alone a drunkard.

Unable to dissuade her father from his mad fixation, Eliza begins to understand she may be forced to go with him. Then she sees the vessel they will be sailing on. And in that instant, the voyage of the Moonbird becomes Eliza's mission too.

Irresistible prose, unforgettable characters and magnificent, epic storytelling—The Burning Island delivers everything readers have come to expect from Jock Serong. It may be his most moving, compelling novel yet.

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 Burning Island by Jock Serong is praised for its vivid storytelling and intricate characterisation, set against the backdrop of Tasmania's 19th-century frontier wars. Reviewers highlight its gripping narrative, rich historical detail, and the exploration of colonial impact. It's described as an engrossing maritime adventure, blending crime thriller elements with profound themes of family and colonisation.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781922330086

Publisher: Text Publishing

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 01 September 2020

Country: Australia

Imprint: The Text Publishing Company

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 153.0mm

Height: 234.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 400

About the Author

Jock Serong's novels have received the Ned Kelly Award for First Fiction, the Colin Roderick Award and the inaugural Staunch Prize (UK). He lives with his family on Victoria's far west coast.

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