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soupy_twist's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
burrowsi1's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
lucyhargrave's review
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I was not expecting to enjoy this so much but it kept me hooked! Rooke was a delightful character and the way he viewed the world was unique, fascinating and perhaps a little naive. I loved his interactions with Taragran and the other members of her tribe. I found the sections on language and linguistics particularly interesting.
The writing was accessible, flowed beautifully and gave a great sense of atmosphere without getting bogged down in unnecessary description.
The writing was accessible, flowed beautifully and gave a great sense of atmosphere without getting bogged down in unnecessary description.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation, Slavery, and Animal death
quiche12's review against another edition
5.0
Another beautiful novel from Kate Grenville. This is the story of an English soldier (who was also an astronomer) who travels to Australia in the early days of colonialism and forms a friendship with the local Cammeraygal people. It shows how things could have been and also foreshadows the terrible things that were to follow. It is beautiful and heartbreaking at times. But it’s also an important book tells history as it was.
emmarach's review against another edition
4.0
A lovely story. Easy to read, whilst touching my heart. Another gem by a brilliant author.
quiche12's review against another edition
5.0
Another beautiful novel from Kate Grenville. This is the story of an English soldier (who was also an astronomer) who travels to Australia in the early days of colonialism and forms a friendship with the local Cammeraygal people. It shows how things could have been and also foreshadows the terrible things that were to follow. It is beautiful and heartbreaking at times. But it’s also an important book tells history as it was.
michellel123's review against another edition
3.0
Based on the true story of an astronomer and linguist who came out with the First Fleet. Daniel Rooke sets up home in a quiet area of the new Sydney settlement to study the stars and wait for an expected comet. While there, he encounters and befriends an Aboriginal girl Tagaran and they learn each other's language. As his job as a military officer, though, Rooke is required to go out on a party to arrest or kill Aboriginal men as punishment for the death of the gamekeeper, and must battle his conscience. Enjoyable.
kdvperez's review against another edition
3.0
It's like Heart of Darkness but I was mind-numbingly bored instead of pleasantly surprised. Tagaran and Rooke's language lessons called to my linguistics major nerd brain though, so 10/10 for that section.
elliedo's review against another edition
3.0
review to come maybe im not gonna think that hard tho cos i only read this to help my brother make it through year 12 english lol