Reviews

The Road to Gundagai by Jackie French

amys_bookworld's review against another edition

3.0

blue

tiamariatamera's review against another edition

3.0

I’m a little on the fence with this book. I haven’t read anything else in the Matilda saga, so I think that may have given a little context and love for some of the characters that I didn’t experience, as I think Joseph is mentioned, Matilda etc I’m not sure. I did like the story, the excitement of the circus, running away from home, arsenic poisoning, the atmosphere and initial world building was rlly great.
It just fell short with the pacing, making all the aspects I liked a bit tedious and a drag. I was waiting for the murder to occur to re-spark my interest, as it’s listed as a main plot point but this only happens towards the END! and I’m expected to care. Nah.
I really liked Matilda and drink water station, it was refreshing, but again just got a bit tiring.
I respect this book for what it is, I’m not really a historical fiction reader, I love fast paced trash with angsty, spicy romance, murder, fantasy, so I just didn’t vibe with it. Not sorry about it... if you like his sorta thang then you will like it, duh.
IM SORRY ALANA

squish07's review

emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

ellasreads's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

annie8782's review against another edition

5.0

The first time I tried to read this, I had to put it down, because I found the plot a bit ridiculous. Now, about two or three years later, I've reread it and honestly it's so good, I'm so glad I picked it up again :)

fishwearingsocks88's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

ceejayturtle25's review against another edition

5.0

I will always have a place in my heart for Australian authors, as they know the land so well. To read Jackie's books is to take a step into that world, something modern authors struggle with. Her words slowly draw you in until you loose track of your reality and enter hers. Bluebell reflects he era well as she is slowly coming to terms with the world around her. You gasp, you cry and you laugh with her the whole way. Jackie doesn't wrap up her story but merely lets you imagine how it went, her wedding, her work ect.
Hearing simple references of the CWA sent me back to my youth as I played while my mother drank her tea.
Overall, I enjoyed this book immensely, thank you

fiona_gs's review against another edition

5.0

This book was great as I start to read some of this saga back books. I read book 2, then book 1 and then book 5. It now is more eye opening as I finally get to learn more of the characters that I read in book 5. Funny that most of my reading is around the time of the depression given the covid-19 and the recession issues we have now. Character development is just spot on.

hayleylumsdsn's review

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

melbsreads's review against another edition

5.0

Trigger warnings: death of a parent, death of a sibling (don't @ me about spoilers, I swear to God. It happens before the book starts and it's revealed like three pages in), fire, blood,

poisoning, death of a friend, mentions of domestic violence, racism, mentions of animal cruelty

This is my least favourite of the three so far but it's more that the first two blew me out of the water and this one didn't quite live up to my love for those two. I loved Blue as a protagonist, but it felt like the plot took about half of the story to actually get properly started and then the second half felt eeeeeever so slightly rushed. 

Once the circus hit Gillies Creek and we were back with the old familiar characters, I absolutely ADORED this and I had a lot of feelings. The way that Blue's story played out was fantastic. I also really enjoyed the friendship between Blue and Mah, and I loved Sheba from start to finish. So basically, the last third of the book was 5 stars, the rest was 4+ stars, so it balances out to 4.5 stars.