Heart of the Country
In the year 1846, Thomas Baker finds himself alone in South Australia, having lost his mother prior to departure and his father on the long voyage out to the colony. In desperation, he applies for the job of overseer at the remote Penakie sheep station. A J Browne, the station’s owner, recognises Thomas’ lack of experience, but decides to give him a chance, advancing the money for a horse and necessary supplies. Septimus Wiltshire is not so generous. He sees the naïve young Thomas as a chance to make easy money. Through isolation, injury, drought and double-dealings, Thomas must fight to bring in the annual wool clip. But in this harsh, unforgiving land filled with ex-convicts and hardened conmen, it doesn’t take him long to realise there are more than the natural elements pitted against him.
Following on from her three rural romances, Heart of the Country is Tricia Stringer’s first foray into historical fiction. The time period is well drawn, as are the isolation, dust, flies and parched beauty of South Australia in the newly claimed lands to the north of Adelaide. Stringer takes care to show the harsh treatment meted out to the indigenous landowners by the early settlers. We are also treated to a host of interesting side characters – shearers, shepherds, overseers, and other station owners. My primary criticism of the novel would be its lack of surprises. Thomas is a good young man, his enemies truly evil. Though he pits himself against all manner of natural and unnatural adversaries, we are never in doubt as to how the story will end. But for those who want a simple, plot-driven pioneer-succeeding-in-a-harsh-new-land tale, this novel is bound to appeal.
