Book club: Intimate family secrets across Australian history

‘Elianne’ is an honest portrayal of Australia taking us through the lives of one family from pre-Federation to the 1970s.

The book’s history works through the lives of the Durham family of ‘Elianne’ a large sugar property on the outskirts of Bundaberg, Qld. judy Nunn is to be congratulated on her meticulous research into the sugar industry and of Bundaberg. It gives the book depth. One of the things that has always fascinated me, is how our lives are played out against the stage of national and international events. And the Durham family is no exception. I can vouch for the picture of Sydney University in the sixties as I was a student there at that time.

The political climate of the times is captured well as Australia moves through a newly Federated nation to one that takes part in international events. The racial story of Australia is well done and the deep seated racial tensions and attitudes is voiced naturally through the story. The impact of these attitudes and tensions is a key factor in the lives of the Durhams and their friends and associates, particularly their Fiorelli and the Salet families

While told in the third person, the story is mainly seen through the eyes of Kate Durham who is educated away from the farm and then leaves to attend Sydney University. The story explores the relationship with her bullying father, Stan and her diffident mother Hilda. Key to the story are her frail grandfather, and her brothers, Neil and Allan.

Hovering presences in the novel are Big Jim Durham and his beautiful wife Ellie, long dead but exerting considerable influence on the present.

This is a story where family secrets are revealed. I must admit I must admit I didn’t guess the ultimate secret. The technique for revealing the secret is not a new one – an old diary – but the fact that it is in French and requires translation by Kate enables the modern story to progress against the revelations of the old so that the two stories run parallel. This is very effective technique and makes for engrossing reading.

I can thoroughly recommend this book: well-realised setting, engaging characters, a strong story well told.

Available for $22.95 via Booktopia. And if you purchase from Booktopia before 31st October, you will be put in the draw for a “Showcase Pack”.

Elainne

by Judy Nunn

Published by Random House Australia