Review of The Night on the Darling River by Darry Fraser
Release date: Dec 4th, 2024
Publisher: HQ Fiction
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FICTION
First off, I love every book Darry Fraser has written. I am a HUGE fan so always eager to get my hands on a copy as I know I am in for an emotional, thrilling and eye- opening ride into the Australia’s colonial past. The covers of Darry’s books are exceptionally enticing too and represent the story that lies within so beautifully.
This novel is stunning on many levels as it captures the era so realistically and clearly. I felt transported to 1894 Victoria watching the flood waters of the Murray River rising and destroying homes and lands, experienced the shocking social unrest surrounding the shearer’s strike and gasped at the horrors of spousal abuse (graphically portrayed). It was a violent time and so this novel carries a much darker tone (than Darry’s previous) due to the nature of the subjects covered and plot.
Once I picked up The Night On The Darling River I could not stop reading! I say this truthfully, I got very little sleep as I was reading late into the night and only dozed off to awaken again every few hours with this story in my head and needed to keep picking it up to see what was going to happen next. And boy did it offer some exciting and unexpected twists! I will not give away any of the details as that would be unfair to other readers and to Darry, who has put so much effort into her novel. I can say that everything is faultlessly described to support the colourful characters, along with a riveting plot and appropriate dialogue. I could picture everything for it captured the magnitude of the little and big details and events that were happening. Plus, it was easy to visualise the various players of a dramatic cast. In fact, I say this every time, reading one of Darry’s books is like watching a movie with each scene being very visual, vivid and profound.
But I must mention Tess the heroine. A woman with the strength of many but who has been subjected to the horrors of physical and mental abuse from her volatile and violent husband (the worst villain ever!). One day she gets the courage to leave him and goes undercover to board a boat at night that will take her to freedom. But, of course, things do not go as planned and it is far from smooth sailing. She runs into some terrible strife and gets caught up in a war between union and non-union men. Her life is threatened and takes a turn she would never have anticipated. And my heart broke all over again for this woman who deserved so much better than what she got.
Another character important to the story is Bram. He ends up on the same boat (Rodney) as Tess. He is on a mission to Renmark for important business and they bump into each other. He is not sure how to help her and her behaviour toward him is less than kind. Her experiences with men have not been very positive. But he has loved her since they were young, though she never seemed interested. Their encounter will not only remind them of past regrets but also bring about some important changes. Yet not until disaster strikes on more than one occasion.
This is a moving, gut wrenching tale. The awakening of quiet love is part of this historical drama, too, but it comes during the trials that occur. Tess, learns what kind of man she really wants and has some eye-opening revelations during her traumatic adventures. There are many on-the-edge-of-your-seat moments as danger and treachery abound. The plot moves along at a rapid, yet well-paced speed. I fell under the spell of Darry’s breath-taking story-telling skill once again! The Night On The Darling River is an unforgettable and exhilarating journey. I could not take my eyes off the page for a second as there was so much happening! But it is all skilfully and powerfully delivered and crowned with a brilliant finale. This is a definite 2024 must-read for Australian historical fiction lovers! I was truly captivated, educated and amazed. I highly recommend The Night On The Darling River. 5 Exhilarating Stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to HQ Fiction and Netgalley for a review copy.
