Thornhill's Point was so far from
Will's own Thames
As far as the convict ship Alexander
Could weather the distance
Without breaking
Untamed Thornhill's Point on
The untamed Hawkesbury was
His adopted dream
(Once he had his ticket of freedom)
And Sal's interim 5 year dream
Till the real dream of Home
Could return
However
He changed
They changed
Transformed
London became
Another
Shapeless Story
And to the children
That Home was
Just a word
Confronting those who roamed this land before him
He felt naked
He felt small
Words were just a wall
But she felt...
She simply felt
Connected to
The beauty of a black woman's
Crude
Bark
Dish
A scorching world in January
Ants
Mosquitoes
Flies and
Speckled lizards
But in the cool of the mangroves and
The river oaks
And armed with a hearty pannikin of tea
(Trade
A bit of kangaroo for
A bag of flour)
It could be easy
To pretend
Here was heaven
But the Secret River funnelled into
A dark season
A fear of spears and
Ruined corn and
Frozen eyes and
Ragged breathing
Still
Seasons pass
Thornhill's Point faded and
And Cobham Hall
Brandished a fine stone house with
A fine red velvet armchair
Home
Had sailed
Home
But heaven seemed
Remote
Give a little Take a little
Perhaps
Still
A precious
Mantra
Kate Grenville is an Australian writer from Sydney - The Secret River (2005)
GOODREADS REVIEW
The Secret River by Kate GrenvilleMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
For some, the Hawkesbury River north of Sydney, in the 19th century, was a wild place where only madmen venture. Some find its secret beauty, but only realise that priceless magic when the glittering wealths of life entice them away.
View all my reviews
Goodreads Discussion: I especially love the image of William Thornhill finally locked into his Cobham Hall and viewing his Hawkesbury escapades through a spyglass with a sad yearning! He knew that he came close to real beauty but let it slip through his "social status" fingers. Meanwhile, he saw that the Aboriginal, close to the Earth, really lived with true beauty. A very symbolic, challenging moment!
Linking to:
Real Toads ~ Open Link Monday
14 comments:
Sounds like a good book too!
I think this is a most original way to review a book.
I so love this idea. Impressions/emotions often linger after reading a good book and this is a great way to share it! Brava ... I'll have to look into this one.
cool certainly leaves me wanting more ...thanks for sharing x
It is incredibly creative the way you turned your review into a poem and how beautifully the poem could also stand alone.
I enjoyed the poem and the review. In fact, I am coming to look forward to Australian poetry.
Love this unique book review, Gemma!
Truly an enjoyable book review in poetry form.
What a unique format for a book review! Definitely going to have to check that book out. Very nicely written.
This is great Gemma! A clever twist to the staid and dry comment otherwise! I often wonder how a book review can do full justice to the book. You've adopted a stunner. Great verse!
Hank
Great idea to review a book in a poem! It is intriguing like a mysterious puzzle..when can solve when we read it ;D
Your poem inspires me to read this book! So well done with unique imagery.
Makes me want to sad the book. Your writing was an adventure all on its own, and would beautifully through the beauty of a harsh landscape. Loved it.
Beautifully done, Gemma. I would never have thought of a book review poem, but this is lovely. I agree, the aboriginal peoples of whatever continent are the ones who see its beauty most clearly.
K
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