Review of 'Daughter of the Hunter Valley' by Paula J. Beavan
Due out Sept 29th, 2021
What a sparkling debut by Paula J. Beavan! I am thrilled to have read this stunning, well delivered story brimming with courage, resilience and passion. It captivated my attention from the very first page.
Madeleine Barker-Trent leaves the comforts of England in 1831 and sails for six months across the world to join her father in the Hunter Valley. Their joyful reunion quickly evaporates. Unexpected heartbreak and disappointment meet her almost as soon as she arrives in the colony. Amid the severe dryness and heat of December, confusion floods her mind when she surveys the truth and progress of her father’s dream. Letters received at home show a different reality of his success. She is faced with the task of making a difficult decision. Against all odds, and with determination, she aims to fulfil the dream her parents started.
Due to Paula’s meticulous research and strong world-building skills, I was swept into the centre of Australia’s early colonial days. She paints a vivid picture of a harsh unforgiving land of extremes with severe droughts and floods. Those of us who live in this country today with all the conveniences of the modern age, would find it challenging to be transported back to the 1830s when immigrants (including the convicts) tried desperately to carve out a sane existence. This taxing life broke many and sent numerous back to England.
We are not only supplied with an authentic setting but also a carefully crafted, believable cast with whom we can relate. Maddy, unlike her rival Ella, does not rely on the comforts of England. Maddy has grit on her side. As a reader, we cheer her on believing she will succeed where others failed. But not without obstacles in her path or family surprises. She fights for the choice to build a life without a husband who might limit or control her. But are her convictions sustained once meeting and getting to know the handsome Daniel Coulter? He is a reliable and dedicated man working the land to its potential. As the overseer of her one thousand acres of bushland, Daniel’s contribution and presence are substantial. Maddy is faced with new emotions and findings as she tries to succeed.
I would not be thorough with my review if I did not mention the Proverbs 24:27 reference at the start of the novel. For I believe it reveals Maddy’s moral upbringing and how her faith guides her conscience. Though she is not perfect, and as a human grapples with anger, honesty and hurt, her ‘kind heart’ eventually prevails in her decision making. We see her sacrifice her own happiness for others. The Christian cross and Bible appear in the story in gentle measures as firm signposts and symbols of her beliefs.
At all times we get a clear picture of who Maddy is, even when unexpected circumstances disrupt or confuse her. She is a smart woman whose quick thinking saves her during her bushranger encounters. She is not a typical woman of the 1830s (other characters have noted this, too) and does not live by the rules of the era. She knows what she wants, believes in hard work, does not care about the opinions of others and is determined to live her life as she sees fit. Including fulfilling the dream begun by her parents. And for that, she will do everything she can to make it happen—while still helping others along the way.
As for the pacing of the story, Paula never gives anything away too quickly. Little by little the plot unfurls while the tension thickens steadily. Like Maddy in her thoughts and actions, Paula holds her cards close to her chest. This stirs our curiosity and keeps the pages turning. There are numerous road blocks to the truth with tangled threads to sort and choking vines to cull. Then there is Maddy’s desire to remain single and her attraction battle with Daniel. If given a chance, what or who will she choose?
Daughter of the Hunter Valley not only shows us the working life of the colony but its leisure interests, too. Just as in Jane Austen’s world, where the dance is an important social activity, we also see its purpose here in the colony. A Ball becomes an essential community event. This enjoyable gathering of all inhabitants offers a welcomed relief from a tough land that suffers with droughts and floods. Of course, it can be a beehive for gossip, as Maddy learns, where unsolicited opinions and wagging tongues run wild: including talk of her independence and untraditional ways.
This novel, that was ten years in the making, shows its heart boldly. It is a well-crafted, compelling page turner with depth, desire and determination. I loved it from start to finish and highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys an exciting journey with convincing characters through colonial Australia. 5 Stars from me. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
