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The Pearler's Wife

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( 1,169 ratings, 76 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 Pearler's Wife by Roxane Dhand, set in the early 20th century, a young Englishwoman named Maisie Porter arrives in Western Australia to enter an arranged marriage in the pearling town of Broome. The novel explores themes of cultural clashes, personal identity, and forbidden romance amidst a backdrop of adventure and treachery in the pearl industry. As Maisie navigates her new life, she encounters unexpected challenges that test her resilience and beliefs.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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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 book if you're drawn to stories set in the early 20th century, especially those with strong female protagonists navigating new worlds. Set against the backdrop of the Western Australian pearling industry, this historical fiction offers a vivid exploration of culture, adventure, and the resilience needed to find one's place in an unfamiliar land. Fans of richly detailed settings and intriguing social dynamics will likely find this tale compelling.

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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

This stunning debut is a compelling piece of historical fiction, set at the turn of the century, among the pearl merchants making their fortune in the ports of Western Australia.

From the high seas to the deep seabed, from the latticed verandahs of Buccaneer Bay to the gambling dens in Asia Place, The Pearler's Wife is a stunning debut, inspired by a small yet pivotal moment in Australian history.

A distant land. A dangerous husband. A forbidden love.

It is 1912, and Maisie Porter stands on the deck of the SS Oceanic as England fades from view. Her destination is Buccaneer Bay in Australia's far north-west. Her purposeβ€”marriage to her cousin Maitland, a wealthy pearling magnateβ€”and a man she has never met.

Also on board is William Cooper, the Royal Navy's top man. Following a directive from the Australian government, he and eleven other 'white' divers have been hired to replace the predominantly Asian pearling crews. However, Maitland and his fellow merchants have no intention of employing the costly Englishmen for long...

Maisie arrives in her new country to a surprisingly cool reception. Already confused by her hastily arranged marriage, she is shocked at Maitland's callous behaviour towards herβ€”while finding herself increasingly drawn to the intriguing Cooper.

But Maisie's new husband is harbouring secretsβ€”deadly secrets. And when Cooper and the divers sail out to harvest the pearl shell, they are in great dangerβ€”and not just from the unpredictable and perilous ocean...

'An appealing tale of forbidden love and the perils of an unfamiliar land' Herald Sun

'Dhand's compelling debut explores racism, homosexuality and social class, with a hefty dose of romance thrown in' Sunday Times, Perth

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 Pearler's Wife by Roxane Dhand is a historical fiction novel set in 1912 Western Australia. It has been praised for its vivid atmospheric descriptions and well-researched portrayal of the pearling industry. Readers appreciate its strong character development, especially regarding the protagonist, and find the narrative both engaging and emotionally resonant.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781760899189

Publisher: Penguin Random House Australia

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 01 September 2020

Country: Australia

Imprint: Penguin Random House Australia

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 24.0mm

Width: 130.0mm

Height: 197.0mm

Weight: 278g

Pages: 400

About the Author

Roxane Dhand was born in Kent and entertained her sisters with imaginative stories from a young age. She studied English and French at London University, and in 1978 she moved to Switzerland, where she began her professional career in public relations. Back in England and many years later on, she taught French in both the maintained and private sectors. Now retired, she is finally able to indulge her passion for storytelling. The Pearler's Wife is her first novel. Her second, The Orphan of Good Hope, will publish in September 2020.

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