Just So Stories

Harper Collins Australia

• ISBN: 9781867243489
• ISBN 10: 1867243482
• Imprint: HQ Fiction AU
• $32.99

It really is a given, that a new Jackie French book means that all other books are put on hold (even if half-read!) until I have devoured the newest. And that’s exactly what has happened over the past few days.

Just under 500 pages flew by over a couple of nights as I immersed myself in a sweeping saga of a passionate love story, a clash of two very different cultures, 19th century mystery and murder, and as we have come to expect, an underlying commentary on the rights of women.

Unlike many, if not all her other books, this one has no basis in historical fact, beyond that of the geographical aspects of Sydney in colonial times. Characters, plot and setting are all fictitious but what an utterly plausible combination Jackie has created.

When Mair Macrae, native of the island of Big Henry, goes looking for a ‘beachie’ for a husband, she finds a naked, half-drowned Michael Dawson, heir to a highly successful shipping business. On Big Henry, successive generations, since it’s early foundation by a handful of slaving ship survivors, have created a wholesome, productive and communal lifestyle which is ordered and maintained by women, given their menfolk are sailors and not often at home.

Mair has been raised as one of these strong and capable women but yearns for a husband and children, since her intended was drowned along with most of the other island males, from boys to greybeards, after a freak tidal wave.

Big Henry is a volcanic island. The volcano itself is dormant, although there is a growing unease about the increased number of small tremors and grumblings – as well as the aforementioned tidal wave.

As Michael regains his physical strength and comes to know both Mair and the island, he falls in love with both, but as his father’s only heir is determined to return to Sydney. Persuading Mair to be his wife and accompany him sets in motion a chain of events that will impact on both the couple and the islanders. Unfolding parallel to the main storyline is that of the continued misfortunes of the Dawson family, which had started with Michael’s being pushed off his father’s boat by an unknown assailant. Mair appears to be the only one who recognises the dangers as intentional and murderous.

Then there is Mair’s struggle to become reconciled to the life of a wealthy society woman and to be accepted by Michael’s remaining family. And yet another thread is Michael’s near-obsession with The Ghost, a mysterious abandoned yet still afloat ship. What is its history and mystery with its cargo of gold bars? It is a complex, intriguing and extremely gripping narrative that will have any reader turning pages eagerly.

Jackie’s ability to capture the essence of a period in time is amazing, and this one is no exception. Her skill with ‘show don’t tell’ is exemplary and though this is an adult book, excerpts would work particularly well for secondary students to get a better grasp of this sometimes difficult writing technique. That being said, if you would normally buy Jackie’s senior titles for your collection, be advised there is quite a bit more sexual detail in this one than in some others, so faith schools might need to consider their audience carefully.

Needless to say, as I turned the last pages, I was wishing it had not come to an end already (this is what happens when you are gready with your favourites). As always, my highest recommendation for this new and engrossing offering. Thank you Jackie – once again you have thoroughly transported me to another place and time in which I came to love the main characters whole-heartedly.