ARA Review by ajwootton of Ironbark Hill
Moderator: Official Reviewer Representatives
-
ajwootton
- Posts: 6
- Joined: 26 Jan 2019, 12:13
- Bookshelf Size: 0
ARA Review by ajwootton of Ironbark Hill
[Following is an OnlineBookClub.org ARA Review of the book, Ironbark Hill.]
Ironbark Hill by Jennie Linnane is a coming of age story about Natalie Chapman. The story opens on Natalie's 16th birthday, but celebrating is the last thing on her mind. The eldest of five children growing up in a meager home on Ironbark Hill in the Australian countryside, we quickly learn that her life is filled with challenges that are foreign to most girls her age. We meet her stepfather, Alex, early on when Natalie intervenes to protect her mother from his abusive hands. Her fierce defense and threats to kill him surprise no one more than herself. As his character continues to unfold in subsequent chapters you learn that his dependence on the bottle came on the heels of a tragic loss. The combination of his ill managed sorrow and the drink have turned him into the mean and abusive protagonist of Natalie’s world.
The money that her stepfather earns comes chiefly through the slaughter and sale of the family’s coveted herd of livestock. Her mother sews and launders for extra money. In addition to helping her mother with chores and the care of her younger siblings, Natalie supplements the household income through the wages she earns housekeeping for Bruce and Rosemary Glover who live in the nearby town. Seeing more potential in her than she sees in herself, the Glovers are taken with Natalie’s work ethic and her bright and pleasant demeanor. In one scene, Bruce Glover asks why she has lingered at Ironbark after her graduation from high school. Surely she could find more lucrative employment in the city? Natalie demonstrates that she indeed has potential to do more, but her fierce loyalty keeps her from leaving her family despite the monstrous patriarch at its helm.
The combination of the story and Linnane’s writing style engaged me from the very first page. Linnane’s prose is effective in painting mental pictures of everything from lush landscapes to the many and varied characters in the story. The tension builds from the very beginning as we learn about Alex’s dark nature, his uncontrollable temper, and the hatred he feels for his stepdaughter. Linnane balances this by periodically drawing you into the day-to-day of Natalie’s life which possess a unique beauty despite its many hardships.
The story takes place over the course of one year, and while much happens in this short time frame, the events are both believable and interesting. Some of the pages are devoted to unraveling family secrets that end up helping Natalie to broaden her perspective and to come to terms with her own heritage and the early loss of her father. From the beginning you can’t help but root for Natalie. She is likable, intelligent and courageous.
I give this book 5 out of 5 stars. Linnane writes fluidly and expressively. Her characters are interesting, and multidimensional. She surprises you by teasing out some hidden traits of several characters as the story unfolds. This has the pleasant effect of rounding them out and making them more relatable while at the same preserving the substance of each one. My one criticism is the cover which offers a rather frightening rendition of Natalie. In spite of this I highly recommend this book and look forward to future works from Jennie Linnane.
***
View Ironbark Hill on Bookshelves
Ironbark Hill by Jennie Linnane is a coming of age story about Natalie Chapman. The story opens on Natalie's 16th birthday, but celebrating is the last thing on her mind. The eldest of five children growing up in a meager home on Ironbark Hill in the Australian countryside, we quickly learn that her life is filled with challenges that are foreign to most girls her age. We meet her stepfather, Alex, early on when Natalie intervenes to protect her mother from his abusive hands. Her fierce defense and threats to kill him surprise no one more than herself. As his character continues to unfold in subsequent chapters you learn that his dependence on the bottle came on the heels of a tragic loss. The combination of his ill managed sorrow and the drink have turned him into the mean and abusive protagonist of Natalie’s world.
The money that her stepfather earns comes chiefly through the slaughter and sale of the family’s coveted herd of livestock. Her mother sews and launders for extra money. In addition to helping her mother with chores and the care of her younger siblings, Natalie supplements the household income through the wages she earns housekeeping for Bruce and Rosemary Glover who live in the nearby town. Seeing more potential in her than she sees in herself, the Glovers are taken with Natalie’s work ethic and her bright and pleasant demeanor. In one scene, Bruce Glover asks why she has lingered at Ironbark after her graduation from high school. Surely she could find more lucrative employment in the city? Natalie demonstrates that she indeed has potential to do more, but her fierce loyalty keeps her from leaving her family despite the monstrous patriarch at its helm.
The combination of the story and Linnane’s writing style engaged me from the very first page. Linnane’s prose is effective in painting mental pictures of everything from lush landscapes to the many and varied characters in the story. The tension builds from the very beginning as we learn about Alex’s dark nature, his uncontrollable temper, and the hatred he feels for his stepdaughter. Linnane balances this by periodically drawing you into the day-to-day of Natalie’s life which possess a unique beauty despite its many hardships.
The story takes place over the course of one year, and while much happens in this short time frame, the events are both believable and interesting. Some of the pages are devoted to unraveling family secrets that end up helping Natalie to broaden her perspective and to come to terms with her own heritage and the early loss of her father. From the beginning you can’t help but root for Natalie. She is likable, intelligent and courageous.
I give this book 5 out of 5 stars. Linnane writes fluidly and expressively. Her characters are interesting, and multidimensional. She surprises you by teasing out some hidden traits of several characters as the story unfolds. This has the pleasant effect of rounding them out and making them more relatable while at the same preserving the substance of each one. My one criticism is the cover which offers a rather frightening rendition of Natalie. In spite of this I highly recommend this book and look forward to future works from Jennie Linnane.
***
View Ironbark Hill on Bookshelves
