Kate Grenville, The Secret River

I would definitely recommend The Secret River, as it has enough to warm your heart, despite being a tale of struggle. However i felt it's story collapsed in the final stages, making the author (Kate Grenville) seem lazy, especially as she is able to write scenes and locations so crisply.

We follow the characters through many years, empathizing with their story and breathing in the atmosphere so beautifully created. This rich body of work is sadly disrespected by the plot ending, which touches rather weakly on all characters before delivering one obvious defining moment. The conflict with the key characters antagonist's and their life struggle, is the whole point of the story, which is so eloquently stated and described. Suddenly we have our plot ending, which however timely or necessary, declares itself complete with little conviction.

It neither rewards or confronts in it's telling, which is why it stands in such opposition with the rest of the book. It's like finding a hole in the sole of your best shoes. Very annoying!!

Still worth a read, and was on the booker prize short list.