Wednesday 10 October 2018

Book Review: The Lost Valley by Jennifer Scoullar

Title: The Lost Valley
Author: Jennifer Scoullar
Series: The Tasmanian Tales #2
Publisher:  Pilyara Press
Publication Date; 27th August 2018
Pages: 361
Format Read: Paperback
Source: Courtesy of author



Tasmania, 1929: Ten-year-old-twins, Tom and Harry Abbott, are orphaned by a tragedy that shocks Hobart society. They find sanctuary with their reclusive grandmother, growing up in the remote and rugged Binburra ranges – a place where kind-hearted Tom discovers a love of the wild, Harry nurses a growing resentment towards his brother and where the mountains hold secrets that will transform both their lives.

The chaos of World War II divides the brothers, and their passion for two very different women fuels a deadly rivalry. Can Tom and Harry survive to heal their rift? And what will happen when Binburra finally reveals its astonishing secrets?

From Tasmania’s highlands to the Battle of Britain, and all the way to the golden age of Hollywood, 'The Lost Valley' is a lush family saga about two brothers whose fates are entwined with the land and the women they love.




The Lost Valley is a sequel to Jennifer Scoullar’s Fortune’s Son. You can read my review of Fortune’s Son here


The Lost Valley opens in 1929 at the height of the Wall Street crash. Ten year old twins Tom and Harry Abbott are orphaned by a tragedy and are taken in by their estranged grandmother Isabelle Buchanon. The twins handle their parents’ death and the move to their grandmother’s country home, Binburra, in different ways. Tom, a quiet soul, connects with nature and finds comfort in his grandmother’s attention. Harry acts out his anger making life difficult and tumultuous for everyone. The once close brothers are now separated by a growing rift of resentment.

The Lost Valley is a sweeping tale spanning 25 years encompassing the great depression with crippling economies and rising unemployment leaving families destitute and highlighting the lengths people had to go to simply to keep a roof over their head and food on the table; many women turning to prostitution.

Scoullar adds historical events to place the story solidly in its time period.
From the Australian bush to war torn London and the horrors of war with a focus on the terrible toll on the families of men disfigured during war with many wives preferring to distance themselves from these men rather than live with the heartache.

Jennifer Scoullar has created an atmospheric story of unforgettable splendour, sibling rivalry at its worst and the effects of the war on all men and women.

As in Fortune’s Son conservation and endangered species are at the heart of the story.

The Lost Valley can be read alone however to get the full benefit from this story I would recommend reading Fortune’s Son first and fall in love with the characters and the Tasmanian wilderness.

My Rating 5/5        🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
 

Best selling author Jennifer Scoullar writes page-turning fiction about the land, people and wildlife that she loves.

Scoullar is a lapsed lawyer who harbours a deep appreciation and respect for the natural world. She lives on a farm in Autsralia's southern Victorian ranges, and had riden and bred horses all her life.

Her passion for animals and the bush is the catalyst for her best-selling books, which are all inspired by different landscapes.




28 comments:

  1. A lovely review. I'm so glad to see Jen's books doing so well.

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    1. Thank you for stopping by Jenn. I've really come to love Jennifer's characters and happy to say there is another book in The Tasmanian Tales series coming next year.

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    1. I loved it Jo and if you read the first book it is so much more immersive.

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  3. great review, looks like a good book.

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    1. Historical fiction based in Australia are some of my favourites.

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  4. Wonderful review! I love a 5 out of 5 read :)

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  5. A great review, haven't heard of either of these before x

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  6. Great review. WWII is a fascinating backdrop, sounds like a wonderful read!

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    1. From the Tasmania wilderness to worn torn London. The story had a great mix.

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  7. Great review! This sounds like a great WWII historical book.

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    1. It showed how Australia was affected by things like the Wall St crash and the war.

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  8. This sounds interesting. I may have to add it to my tbr list.

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  9. This is new to me, thanx for the info

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  10. Great review! This sounds interesting!

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  11. Awesome review. I definitely think that I would like this book.

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  12. I'm not that much a fan of historical fiction, but must say, you have made it sound interesting.

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  13. Great review Veronica, I am really glad you enjoy this book fully. Thank you so much for sharing your awesome post.

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