GALLIPOLI STREET
Set against the backdrop of two great world wars and the world-changing events between, Gallipoli Street is an epic story of three Australian families whose destinies became entwined by war, tragedy and passion.
Gallipoli Street is a story of mothers, sons, sisters and lovers, and of the anguish, passion, joy, loss and heartbreak of this period, as experienced by the three families who are not only connected by a common address, but ultimately bound by a greater fate. Inspired by her grandfather’s own story, in Gallipoli Street Mary-Anne O’Connor brings a fresh perspective to the story of modern Australia.
Book Club Questions:
1. Which character did you most connect with and why?
2. What fundamental differences did you see between Veronica and Rose and how did this affect their life choices?
3. What significance do you think the title holds? (Themes, metaphors etc.)
4. In what ways did Gregory affect Rose and how did you feel about her after she left him?
5. Did you feel Clarkson was justified in his actions in France?
6. How did you feel about Jack's behaviour after the war?
7. In what ways did Jack influence his son Pete's experience of war?
8. If you were Theresa, would you have forgiven Pete?
9. Has Gallipoli Street influenced your view of the Anzac generation? In what ways?
1. Which character did you most connect with and why?
2. What fundamental differences did you see between Veronica and Rose and how did this affect their life choices?
3. What significance do you think the title holds? (Themes, metaphors etc.)
4. In what ways did Gregory affect Rose and how did you feel about her after she left him?
5. Did you feel Clarkson was justified in his actions in France?
6. How did you feel about Jack's behaviour after the war?
7. In what ways did Jack influence his son Pete's experience of war?
8. If you were Theresa, would you have forgiven Pete?
9. Has Gallipoli Street influenced your view of the Anzac generation? In what ways?
As the boat reached the ship and they hoisted him up he took one last look at Gallipoli and knew part of him would remain there too, lying with the dead, until the soil found their collective dust and the breeze whispered their spirits across the cove.
Jack knew he had changed in that place- that the breeze would carry with it the man he used to be, who they all were on the other side of time before living including killing. Every man who landed there would leave the ghost of his former self behind.
WORTH FIGHTING FOR
From Darwin to Pearl Harbour, Sydney to Papua New Guinea, a compelling story of courage, honour and a great love set against the epic backdrop of the Second World War.
Eighteen-year-old Junie Wallace is a smart girl and, with her two brothers away at war and her third brother just killed in action, she knows there is only one way to save the family farm for her grieving parents. Unfortunately, that solution involves marrying the unscrupulous Ernest, and breaking the heart of the young drover she loves, Michael. But the war is looming ever closer, and when Pearl Harbour brings the threat of Japanese aggression to Australian shores, the fates of many becomes inextricably interwoven.
From the explosive battles of the Pacific campaign to the desperate fighting in the Papuan New Guinea rainforest; the dancehall gaiety of Sydney's Trocadero to the terror of the Darwin bombings, this epic family saga brings home the importance of mateship and of fighting for what you believe in, even when impossible odds seem stacked against you, even when all seems lost...
Worth Fighting For is a resounding testament to the enduring force of love: a reminder of what can be achieved if you draw on your reserves of courage and listen to the truth in your heart.
Eighteen-year-old Junie Wallace is a smart girl and, with her two brothers away at war and her third brother just killed in action, she knows there is only one way to save the family farm for her grieving parents. Unfortunately, that solution involves marrying the unscrupulous Ernest, and breaking the heart of the young drover she loves, Michael. But the war is looming ever closer, and when Pearl Harbour brings the threat of Japanese aggression to Australian shores, the fates of many becomes inextricably interwoven.
From the explosive battles of the Pacific campaign to the desperate fighting in the Papuan New Guinea rainforest; the dancehall gaiety of Sydney's Trocadero to the terror of the Darwin bombings, this epic family saga brings home the importance of mateship and of fighting for what you believe in, even when impossible odds seem stacked against you, even when all seems lost...
Worth Fighting For is a resounding testament to the enduring force of love: a reminder of what can be achieved if you draw on your reserves of courage and listen to the truth in your heart.
Book Club Questions:
1. Did you feel Junie 'had' to marry Ernest?
2. Should she have told the truth about the baby to Ernest or Michael from the beginning?
3. In what ways did Marlon's own indigenous heritage affect his behaviour and decisions?
4. Did you feel Michael made the right choice about the Japanese prisoner at the time?
5. Was Katie too hard on Junie before she went to New Guinea?
6. Do you think Marlon made the right decision about the expedition?
7. Would you have forgiven Eliza?
8. Do you think Junie should have gone back into the jungle a second time at they end?
9. Did you agree with Marlon's pragmatic opinion about choosing realistic goals when it comes to happiness?
10. What are the multiple themes as suggested by the title?
1. Did you feel Junie 'had' to marry Ernest?
2. Should she have told the truth about the baby to Ernest or Michael from the beginning?
3. In what ways did Marlon's own indigenous heritage affect his behaviour and decisions?
4. Did you feel Michael made the right choice about the Japanese prisoner at the time?
5. Was Katie too hard on Junie before she went to New Guinea?
6. Do you think Marlon made the right decision about the expedition?
7. Would you have forgiven Eliza?
8. Do you think Junie should have gone back into the jungle a second time at they end?
9. Did you agree with Marlon's pragmatic opinion about choosing realistic goals when it comes to happiness?
10. What are the multiple themes as suggested by the title?
WAR FLOWER
From a swinging sixties Sydney to the killing fields of Vietnam, an epic story of love, war and forgiveness
The 1960’s are beating a fresh pulse of political and cultural upheaval through Sydney but the sheltered life of awkward convent school-girl Poppy Flannery make such changes redundant for her. But that doesn’t stop her from longing to join in, especially if that means spending time with the popular boy she secretly loves, Ben Williamson. So when the opportunity for a dream escape to Surfers Paradise arrives, Poppy and her twin sister Rosemary seize it, and find themselves in the midst of the swinging sixties at last.
Rosemary embraces their secret new life with a vengeance, discovering drugs, boys and radical politics in a haze of parties, music festivals and protest marches. But such freedom is stolen when Rosemary’s great love Angus, along with Ben, are sent to Vietnam.
Soon a war fought thousands of kilometres away will arrive on the twins’ door in the form of orphaned refugee, Thuy. As many more victims begin to appear, including shattered versions of Australian soldiers, they must decide how far they will go for the men they adore, and ask themselves whether love really is all that you need.
The 1960’s are beating a fresh pulse of political and cultural upheaval through Sydney but the sheltered life of awkward convent school-girl Poppy Flannery make such changes redundant for her. But that doesn’t stop her from longing to join in, especially if that means spending time with the popular boy she secretly loves, Ben Williamson. So when the opportunity for a dream escape to Surfers Paradise arrives, Poppy and her twin sister Rosemary seize it, and find themselves in the midst of the swinging sixties at last.
Rosemary embraces their secret new life with a vengeance, discovering drugs, boys and radical politics in a haze of parties, music festivals and protest marches. But such freedom is stolen when Rosemary’s great love Angus, along with Ben, are sent to Vietnam.
Soon a war fought thousands of kilometres away will arrive on the twins’ door in the form of orphaned refugee, Thuy. As many more victims begin to appear, including shattered versions of Australian soldiers, they must decide how far they will go for the men they adore, and ask themselves whether love really is all that you need.
IN A GREAT SOUTHERN LAND
From the soft green hills of Ireland to the wild Shipwreck Coast of southern Victoria, the rich farm lands of New South Wales to the sudden battlefields of Ballarat, this is an epic story of the cost of freedom and the value of love in a far-flung corner of the world where a new nation struggles to be born.
1851: After the death of her father, young Eve Richards is destitute. Her struggle to survive sees her deported in chains to the colony of New South Wales, penniless and alone. But here in this strange new world fortune smiles on the spirited, clever Eve in the shape of a respectable job offer that will lead to a quiet, secure life. Then the fiery and charismatic Irishman Kieran Clancy crosses her path...
For Kieran Clancy, the kindest man on earth, and his brother Liam, the promise of free passage and land in this brave new world is a chance to leave the grief and starvation of County Clare behind. But while Liam works to farm their land, Kieran has the fire of gold-fever upon him and is drawn to the goldfields of Ballarat. As tensions grow on the goldfields, and with the blood of an Irish rebel still beating through his heart, Kieran finds himself caught up in the cataclysmic events at the Eureka Stockade and faces the decision of a lifetime: whether or not, when it comes to love, blood will remain thicker than water...
Mary-Anne O’Connor’s new book, In a Great Southern Land, is an epic, sweeping tale revolving around a clever, spirited woman and a fiery, charismatic Irishman. Dramatic, gripping and colourful, it’s historical fiction of a quality that will take you on a beguiling roller-coaster ride, skillfully written by an author inspired by her own family history. - Better Reading
