Book description
International bestseller Patricia Shaw's enthralling epic novel is
published for the first time in trade paperback with a stunning new
package. This magnificent story celebrates the pioneering spirit of the
men and women whose courage and ambition laid the foundations of modern
Australia. When Perfection Middleton catches the eye of Darcy Buchanan,
all hell breaks loose. Joint heir to the vast estate of Caravale in
North Queensland, Darcy's a catch all right, and far too good for a
lowly housemaid. That's what his family thinks, anyway, and his brother
Ben does all he can to prevent the marriage; a scheme that goes
tragically wrong... Lew Cavour is very taken with Perfy, too, but he
gets caught up in the gold rush and the race to stake a claim on the
river of gold, as does Ben Buchanan, who is determined to buy out
Perfy's share of Caravale. But their journey to the river is dogged by
disease, madness and murder. Diamond, an aborigine girl, has a profound
effect on all their lives. Too intelligent to be content as the menial
slave to which her colour condemns her, too sophisticated to return to
her tribe, she feels at odds with both worlds. Born in Melbourne,
Patricia Shaw worked as a teacher, political journalist and an oral
historian, before pursuing a literary career. Her novel THE FIVE WINDS
won the prestigious Corine International Book Prize. Patricia lives on
the beautiful Gold Coast of Australia.
