With every Darry Fraser book I read, I think surely it is her best yet and then she goes and writes another fantastic story and it becomes my favourite, too! I absolutely LOVED The Forthright Woman and could not put it down. In fact, I was so mesmerised by it that I totally forgot my bread baking in the oven, ignored the timers going off and as a result burnt my loaves! Was it worth it? A resounding Yes!
Nobody writes Australian historical fiction (especially covering the colonial days) like Darry Fraser. She always captures my attention and imagination from the very start. And The Forthright Woman is a superb example. It carries an intriguing plot, memorable settings and unforgettable characters (including Marcella’s lovely horse!) that reeled me in from the very first page. I just fell into that world and forgot everything around me. I needed to know what was going to happen to every one caught up in this complex family-friend feud mystery. And like all Darry’s stories, this novel got my heart pumping as I followed the characters’ movements. The action is vivid, the dialogue sublime and the descriptions exceptional. I felt I was watching a movie. You can smell the dry land, feel the burning sun, hear the shouts of drama and experience the racing pulse danger. And there’s plenty of that. The Forthright Woman would be an incredible story on the screen. One scene flows into the next without skipping a beat. This brilliant dual timeline novel of 1898 and 1955 transported me back in time and provided a wonderful reading experience.
What mystery is hidden within the pages of The Forthright Woman? I was whisked away to 1898 South Australia to meet widow Marcella Ross, an Italian immigrant, trying to uncover the truth about her uncle who disappeared. The legitimacy of friendship is explored between parties. But also, the difficulties of arranged marriages and the challenges strong independent women faced when trying to live their lives separate from a man/husband. These issues are well fleshed out and activate our sympathies. For anyone bucking these severe restrictions, faced harsh consequences.
Marcella was one such rebel and I loved watching her develop on her journey as she became more confident, daring and pursued a life she deserved. This was assisted by the delightful older lady, Mrs Costa, who added wisdom, humour and a fresh perspective to the tale. She is always a positive encouragement to Marcella, even when it may not seem so. And Proby: who would not love that man? Kind, generous, passionate and patient. But is he as he appears? His interactions with Marcella are initially negative—mostly because of the circumstance that brings them together. But during her loss, his assistance sheds new light on their encounter. Yet even during their ‘good’ moments, we wonder: will this truce last or will they remain opponents? Or is it possible that they might become allies in the search for truth in solving a mystery that involves both of their families?
Then we meet Frances MacDonald in the 1955 timeline. ‘Coming from a long line of determined women who’d made their own way…’ She is dealing with the possibility of not being able to have children. Then her husband, Joe, buys a caravan to travel around parts of Australia. She sees it as an opportunity to re-ignite her passion for photography by recording their adventures. But she takes this thought further and writes to various newspapers and journals to see if they would be interested in her photographs and feature articles. Her husband is not so supportive of her creative plans or seeing her earn money. But she continues, and adds another layer of interest by researching her family’s history, which will give her a personal angle for her writing. She knows that her ancestors have travelled the same area where they are going, so when they land at a specific desolate ruins, she is captivated by the setting and its history. She craves to explore the connections to her family. But greater friction arises between her and her husband. Then two tragedies happen and her life takes on a completely new direction. Voices from the past come flooding into the present and Frances sets on a journey of discovery. It is at times, harrowing and heart-breaking but also exciting and healing.
I loved the entire story from start to finish and how everything came together in the Epilogue. This is a fascinating multi-generational drama of how we never really escape the past but can move forward, find fulfilment and true love, once letting going of the things that limit us. Our ancestors had it hard but they paved the way for future generations. Touching their headstones and reading their letters can give us a sense of connection that will breathe new life into our dry bones. We can take what they gave and weave our own pieces into the cloth of life and dance in a dress made by love under the sun, moon and stars. Yes, Darry’s story inspired me. I recommend it highly. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to Mira (HarperCollins Au) and Netgalley for a review copy.
