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Lady Bird & The Fox
Praise for Lady Bird & The Fox:
'Kim Kelly’s Lady Bird & The Fox is a marvel of a novel. It’s got it all: tragedy, comedy, adventure, romance - and history that makes you think as well as feel. It’s a story that will stay with me forever. ' - Wendy James, bestselling author of The Golden Child
'Reminiscent of Mark Twain’s dry humour, this rollicking ride through the 1860s’ goldfields – part romance, part colonial picaresque – reveals a landscape of hatred and brutality but also unexpected acts of kindness.’ - Julian Leatherdale, bestselling author of Palace of Tears and The Opal Dragonfly
'What a rollicking tale! And wonderfully told...' - Welton B Marsland, author of the bestselling By the Currawong's Call
It’s 1868 and the gold rush is sprawling across the wild west of New South Wales, bringing with it a new breed of colonial rogue – bushrangers. A world far removed from hardworking farm girl, Annie Bird, and her sleepy village on the outskirts of Sydney.
But when a cruel stroke of fortune sees Annie orphaned and outcast, she is forced to head for the goldfields in search of her grandfather, a legendary tracker. Determined and dangerously naive, she sets off with little but a swag full of hope – and is promptly robbed of it on the road.
Her cries for help attract another sort of rogue: Jem Fox, the waster son of a wealthy silversmith, who’s already in trouble with the law – up to his neatly trimmed eyebrows in gambling debts. And now he does something much worse. He ‘borrows’ a horse and rides after the thieves, throwing Annie over the saddle as he goes.
What follows is a breakneck gallop through the Australian bush, a tale of mistaken identity and blind bigotry, of two headstrong opposites tossed together by fate, their lives entwined by a quest to get back home – and the irresistible forces of love.
Praise for Kim Kelly:
‘Kim Kelly seems to understand the sounds and scents of the country’ – The West Australian
‘colourful, evocative and energetic’ – Sydney Morning Herald
‘impressive research’ – Daily Telegraph
‘Why can’t more people write like this?’ – The Age
'Kim Kelly’s Lady Bird & The Fox is a marvel of a novel. It’s got it all: tragedy, comedy, adventure, romance - and history that makes you think as well as feel. It’s a story that will stay with me forever. ' - Wendy James, bestselling author of The Golden Child
'Reminiscent of Mark Twain’s dry humour, this rollicking ride through the 1860s’ goldfields – part romance, part colonial picaresque – reveals a landscape of hatred and brutality but also unexpected acts of kindness.’ - Julian Leatherdale, bestselling author of Palace of Tears and The Opal Dragonfly
'What a rollicking tale! And wonderfully told...' - Welton B Marsland, author of the bestselling By the Currawong's Call
It’s 1868 and the gold rush is sprawling across the wild west of New South Wales, bringing with it a new breed of colonial rogue – bushrangers. A world far removed from hardworking farm girl, Annie Bird, and her sleepy village on the outskirts of Sydney.
But when a cruel stroke of fortune sees Annie orphaned and outcast, she is forced to head for the goldfields in search of her grandfather, a legendary tracker. Determined and dangerously naive, she sets off with little but a swag full of hope – and is promptly robbed of it on the road.
Her cries for help attract another sort of rogue: Jem Fox, the waster son of a wealthy silversmith, who’s already in trouble with the law – up to his neatly trimmed eyebrows in gambling debts. And now he does something much worse. He ‘borrows’ a horse and rides after the thieves, throwing Annie over the saddle as he goes.
What follows is a breakneck gallop through the Australian bush, a tale of mistaken identity and blind bigotry, of two headstrong opposites tossed together by fate, their lives entwined by a quest to get back home – and the irresistible forces of love.
Praise for Kim Kelly:
‘Kim Kelly seems to understand the sounds and scents of the country’ – The West Australian
‘colourful, evocative and energetic’ – Sydney Morning Herald
‘impressive research’ – Daily Telegraph
‘Why can’t more people write like this?’ – The Age
380 pages, Paperback
First published April 18, 2018
36 people are currently reading
128 people want to read
About the author
Kim Kelly
13 books187 followers‘Why can’t more people write like this?’ – The Age
‘colourful, evocative and energetic’ – Sydney Morning Herald
Kim Kelly is author thirteen novels. Among them are the bestselling, The Blue Mile, and critically acclaimed, Wild Chicory. Her novella, The Rat Catcher, was longlisted for the ARA Historical Novel Prize, and her latest, Ladies' Rest and Writing Room, was awarded the Finlay Lloyd 20/40 Prize.
Also a well-known book editor, Kim has a Master of Creative Writing from Macquarie University, for which she earned the Fred Rush Convocation Prize for writing. She is currently undertaking a PhD in literature at Macquarie.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
April 7, 2018
The grief which struck Annie at the sudden and horrid death of her father was upstaged by the brutal dismissal of Annie and her sister from the farm – the only home they’d known their whole lives. Annie’s sister headed to her boyfriend, while Annie was determined to find her grandfather. She had never met him, but her mother had spoken of him often before she’d died, as a great tracker – her determination to find him had her setting out on foot, dressed as a boy in her father’s clothes and boots.
1868 in the Australian bush near Sydney, and the country was rife with bushrangers. It didn’t take long for Annie to be relieved of her swag – her mementos of home and her father gone as well. Screaming with rage, she suddenly found herself in the company of one Jem Fox as they hurtled after the thieves…
The adventures as they crossed the beautiful but dense bush country from Bathurst to Orange and beyond brought them up against kind strangers, as well as hatred from bigots. But all Annie wanted was to find her grandfather. Her frustration grew with each obstacle they faced. And what about Jem? He remained by her side whether she wanted him there or not…
Lady Bird & the Fox by Aussie author Kim Kelly is a delightful tale of Australia during the gold rush days. Of sadness and hope; of shocking racism and pure kindness. And also, of a young woman finding her way – growing up quickly if she’s to survive in the world away from all she’s known. I’ve read and loved every book this author has written, and once again, her evocative writing means Lady Bird & the Fox didn’t disappoint. Highly recommended.
With thanks to the author for my digital ARC to read and review.
1868 in the Australian bush near Sydney, and the country was rife with bushrangers. It didn’t take long for Annie to be relieved of her swag – her mementos of home and her father gone as well. Screaming with rage, she suddenly found herself in the company of one Jem Fox as they hurtled after the thieves…
The adventures as they crossed the beautiful but dense bush country from Bathurst to Orange and beyond brought them up against kind strangers, as well as hatred from bigots. But all Annie wanted was to find her grandfather. Her frustration grew with each obstacle they faced. And what about Jem? He remained by her side whether she wanted him there or not…
Lady Bird & the Fox by Aussie author Kim Kelly is a delightful tale of Australia during the gold rush days. Of sadness and hope; of shocking racism and pure kindness. And also, of a young woman finding her way – growing up quickly if she’s to survive in the world away from all she’s known. I’ve read and loved every book this author has written, and once again, her evocative writing means Lady Bird & the Fox didn’t disappoint. Highly recommended.
With thanks to the author for my digital ARC to read and review.
April 23, 2018
*
Kim Kelly is a true pioneer in the Australian historical fiction field. Her ability to flawlessly bring to life pertinent moments in the history that shaped our nation never fails to astound me. Kelly’s latest novel, Lady Bird & The Fox is a true labour of love, it comes from her heart and is a passionate, as well as expertly told history of times gone by.
Lady Bird & The Fox opens in early settlement Australia. At the heart and soul of this tale is Annie Bird, a young farm girl, who finds her life irrevocably changed when her father passes away. The loss is felt deeply, in many facets, Annie is now an orphan, but she also finds she has been stripped of her family’s land and fortune. Complicating Annie’s situation is that she is the daughter of an Aboriginal mother, both her gender and race excludes her from any entitlement. Annie believes she has no other choice but to hit the road with her swag and embark on a journey to find her grandfather, a well respected tracker. Not long after she begins her journey to the goldfields, where she believes she may find her grandfather, Annie is robbed. Fate intervenes in the form of Jem, a disgraced gambler, who is trying to escape his debts. These two very different but headstrong individuals are accidentally thrust together. With a case of mistaken identity following the couple, Annie and Jem have no choice but to band together. In the process, they find love, friendship and understanding, despite the threats they receive to their lives.
The seventh and latest novel from the very talented Australian historical fiction author Kim Kelly, comes with a strong weight of expectation. Lady Bird & The Fox has been highly anticipated by a number of fellow reviewers and I went into reading this novel expecting great things. The good news is I was completely impressed by what I gained from reading Lady Bird & The Fox.
Firstly, I loved the placement of the main character, leading lady Annie Bird. Annie is a character that I quickly developed a sense of empathy and deep affection for this spirited young woman. After the loss of her dear father, it was an incredibly brave move for Annie to consider travelling across the country to find her grandfather. In such harsh, as well as dangerous times for anyone, especially a young woman travelling alone, this was a bold move. Annie’s strong resolve and fearless nature struck a chord with me. I am confident Annie is a character who will resonate with any reader. Annie’s journey is a tumultuous one, which gives Kim Kelly the brevity to explore issues of class, race, gender and restrictive Australian policies of the 1800’s. It really is both an eye opener and a fascinating segment of our history, but also quite regrettable. It upsets me how we treated the people of our nation in such a way.
With Annie comes Jem, the playboy of sorts and an avid gambler, who finds himself disgraced as the book begins. Jem is a character who comes full circle and his character journey is redemptive. Jem’s character also carefully drew my attention to the presence of the Jewish community in early Australian history. It was an aspect of our nation’s fabric which I sadly admit to being unaware of until this novel. I extend my thanks to Kim Kelly for increasing my knowledge and understanding of this aspect of Australia’s multicultural history. Onto Jem, Annie becomes the figure that brings out the best in him after all they endure together. Their ride across the wild and untamed lands of our deep bush is full of adventure. I loved every moment! Kelly is such a rich and varied storyteller. Many of the scenes involving Jem and Annie’s adventures had a great Australian Bonnie and Clyde feel, it was intriguing, suspenseful and very visual.
Kim Kelly’s command of her historical setting and rich Australian landscape is breathtaking. It is clear that she has devoted a great deal of time to researching her era and transferring this onto the pages of her novel with confidence. As a result, the reader is rewarded with a story told with great depth. Kelly outlines the conditions of early settlement, the fever of the gold rush, the presence of bushrangers, the deeply entrenched racism and sexism, as well as the clear class differences. Kelly provides us with a very real picture of Australia of yesteryear, complete with the rather ugly side of our policies and way of life, which marginalised so many people of our land.
Love and romance are side themes in Lady Bird & The Fox, but this aspect of the story never overtakes the seriousness of the main feature narrative. Annie and Jem’s love is a gritty kind of love, marred by danger, prejudice and persecution. These two fight hard to find happiness, but it is a story well worth your time. This raw, intimate and unique love story worked well on the pages of this memorable novel. I loved the pairing of Annie and Jem. I am sure fans of the romance and historical genres will be pleased with the presentation of this unforgettable pairing.
There is so much more I could hark on about but I feel my time is up. If you have had the pleasure of experiencing the writing of one of my most treasured Australian storytellers in the historical fiction field, Kim Kelly, Lady Bird & The Fox will be sure to send you in raptures. If I have tempted a new reader to try the exceptional work of Kim Kelly, this novel is one you must put on the top of your reading list.
*I wish to thank the author, Kim Kelly, for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes.
Lady Bird & The Fox is book #38 of the Australian Women Writers Challenge
Kim Kelly is a true pioneer in the Australian historical fiction field. Her ability to flawlessly bring to life pertinent moments in the history that shaped our nation never fails to astound me. Kelly’s latest novel, Lady Bird & The Fox is a true labour of love, it comes from her heart and is a passionate, as well as expertly told history of times gone by.
Lady Bird & The Fox opens in early settlement Australia. At the heart and soul of this tale is Annie Bird, a young farm girl, who finds her life irrevocably changed when her father passes away. The loss is felt deeply, in many facets, Annie is now an orphan, but she also finds she has been stripped of her family’s land and fortune. Complicating Annie’s situation is that she is the daughter of an Aboriginal mother, both her gender and race excludes her from any entitlement. Annie believes she has no other choice but to hit the road with her swag and embark on a journey to find her grandfather, a well respected tracker. Not long after she begins her journey to the goldfields, where she believes she may find her grandfather, Annie is robbed. Fate intervenes in the form of Jem, a disgraced gambler, who is trying to escape his debts. These two very different but headstrong individuals are accidentally thrust together. With a case of mistaken identity following the couple, Annie and Jem have no choice but to band together. In the process, they find love, friendship and understanding, despite the threats they receive to their lives.
The seventh and latest novel from the very talented Australian historical fiction author Kim Kelly, comes with a strong weight of expectation. Lady Bird & The Fox has been highly anticipated by a number of fellow reviewers and I went into reading this novel expecting great things. The good news is I was completely impressed by what I gained from reading Lady Bird & The Fox.
Firstly, I loved the placement of the main character, leading lady Annie Bird. Annie is a character that I quickly developed a sense of empathy and deep affection for this spirited young woman. After the loss of her dear father, it was an incredibly brave move for Annie to consider travelling across the country to find her grandfather. In such harsh, as well as dangerous times for anyone, especially a young woman travelling alone, this was a bold move. Annie’s strong resolve and fearless nature struck a chord with me. I am confident Annie is a character who will resonate with any reader. Annie’s journey is a tumultuous one, which gives Kim Kelly the brevity to explore issues of class, race, gender and restrictive Australian policies of the 1800’s. It really is both an eye opener and a fascinating segment of our history, but also quite regrettable. It upsets me how we treated the people of our nation in such a way.
With Annie comes Jem, the playboy of sorts and an avid gambler, who finds himself disgraced as the book begins. Jem is a character who comes full circle and his character journey is redemptive. Jem’s character also carefully drew my attention to the presence of the Jewish community in early Australian history. It was an aspect of our nation’s fabric which I sadly admit to being unaware of until this novel. I extend my thanks to Kim Kelly for increasing my knowledge and understanding of this aspect of Australia’s multicultural history. Onto Jem, Annie becomes the figure that brings out the best in him after all they endure together. Their ride across the wild and untamed lands of our deep bush is full of adventure. I loved every moment! Kelly is such a rich and varied storyteller. Many of the scenes involving Jem and Annie’s adventures had a great Australian Bonnie and Clyde feel, it was intriguing, suspenseful and very visual.
Kim Kelly’s command of her historical setting and rich Australian landscape is breathtaking. It is clear that she has devoted a great deal of time to researching her era and transferring this onto the pages of her novel with confidence. As a result, the reader is rewarded with a story told with great depth. Kelly outlines the conditions of early settlement, the fever of the gold rush, the presence of bushrangers, the deeply entrenched racism and sexism, as well as the clear class differences. Kelly provides us with a very real picture of Australia of yesteryear, complete with the rather ugly side of our policies and way of life, which marginalised so many people of our land.
Love and romance are side themes in Lady Bird & The Fox, but this aspect of the story never overtakes the seriousness of the main feature narrative. Annie and Jem’s love is a gritty kind of love, marred by danger, prejudice and persecution. These two fight hard to find happiness, but it is a story well worth your time. This raw, intimate and unique love story worked well on the pages of this memorable novel. I loved the pairing of Annie and Jem. I am sure fans of the romance and historical genres will be pleased with the presentation of this unforgettable pairing.
There is so much more I could hark on about but I feel my time is up. If you have had the pleasure of experiencing the writing of one of my most treasured Australian storytellers in the historical fiction field, Kim Kelly, Lady Bird & The Fox will be sure to send you in raptures. If I have tempted a new reader to try the exceptional work of Kim Kelly, this novel is one you must put on the top of your reading list.
*I wish to thank the author, Kim Kelly, for providing me with a free copy of this book for review purposes.
Lady Bird & The Fox is book #38 of the Australian Women Writers Challenge
October 21, 2018
Loved this book so much!!
What a wonderful story!
Set in 1878 in the western reaches of country New South Wales (Australia) during the gold rush days when bushrangers were a real threat to dwellers and travellers alike.
Times were very tough as laborers and businessmen downed tools to take off for the gold fields in search of their fortunes, leaving loved ones behind to cope without proper means...open to exploitation from all quarters.
Annie Bird lives with her father and younger sister on a small farm on the outskirts of Sydney.
Life is hard but good and they live comfortably well.
Her farther runs the farm and grows prized vegetable crops for a landlord who takes most of the profits in exchange for rent.
When Annie's father dies suddenly at home, Annie is bereft and wonders how she will manage to run the farm with her young [lazy] sister. Though she is determined to make a go of it as her father was a proud man and would expect nothing less, she wants to do him proud.
Even before her father was laid to rest in the ground, the landlady told Annie she was no longer welcome to stay and must leave immediately as new tenants had been signed.
The landlady withheld her father's wages for funeral expenses, leaving Annie and her sister with nothing but what they could carry.
So it was that Annie found herself on foot, travelling alone on the road west in search of her legendary grandfather. Her young sister having abandoned her and her hastily conceived plans, in favour of joining her boyfriend for an alternate lifestyle in a nearby location.
Annie is forced to travel alone with very few items, just what she can carry and wear. It is very dangerous out on the road alone and she must take precautions not to draw attention to herself.
However fate has decided to play some more cruel tricks upon Annie, and it is now that the pace picks up and grabs the reader into a wholly immersible tale involving all of the senses!
Be prepared to experience every kind of emotion as Kim Kelly skillfully and sensitively steers us through a landscape of heartache, longing, thuggery, adventure, history, beauty, awakening, poetic turns, romance and even moments of laugh out loud comedy! ...All in a language which artfully reflects its era.
This is Australian story telling at its best!
With inspiring turns of phrase that often had me pausing for long moments, this story held me captivated. I loved every bit of it so much that even when it was finished I wasn't ready to let it go.
The writing is refreshingly skillful and intelligent, and an absolute pleasure to enjoy.
This story is so much more than the sum of its parts and would be a credible addition to any historical Aussie story of legend...because it is "facticious" (history with some artistic license).
I read the kindle version and loved it so much that I plan to get myself a hard copy to add to my top shelf of favorites, it's a keeper!
Quotes I liked:
"The thing is, you're supposed to be a good person now, today, on earth, because it's the right and reasonable thing to do -"
"This is my new most favourite sound, this meeting of our souls inside a laugh; fleeting, but some drug in itself."
" he really is my friend. And friends don't need to make sense: they just are."
"-and there was the rest of my day gone. Lost to this odd, unreasonable bereavement that sits like a magnet in my chest."
And if there is one quote which sums up this wonderful story, it's this one...
"There's one thing we all know, and that's right from wrong - it doesn't have a colour."
Many thanks to Netgalley and the Publishers for my kindle copy to read and review.
A keeper! 5*s
What a wonderful story!
Set in 1878 in the western reaches of country New South Wales (Australia) during the gold rush days when bushrangers were a real threat to dwellers and travellers alike.
Times were very tough as laborers and businessmen downed tools to take off for the gold fields in search of their fortunes, leaving loved ones behind to cope without proper means...open to exploitation from all quarters.
Annie Bird lives with her father and younger sister on a small farm on the outskirts of Sydney.
Life is hard but good and they live comfortably well.
Her farther runs the farm and grows prized vegetable crops for a landlord who takes most of the profits in exchange for rent.
When Annie's father dies suddenly at home, Annie is bereft and wonders how she will manage to run the farm with her young [lazy] sister. Though she is determined to make a go of it as her father was a proud man and would expect nothing less, she wants to do him proud.
Even before her father was laid to rest in the ground, the landlady told Annie she was no longer welcome to stay and must leave immediately as new tenants had been signed.
The landlady withheld her father's wages for funeral expenses, leaving Annie and her sister with nothing but what they could carry.
So it was that Annie found herself on foot, travelling alone on the road west in search of her legendary grandfather. Her young sister having abandoned her and her hastily conceived plans, in favour of joining her boyfriend for an alternate lifestyle in a nearby location.
Annie is forced to travel alone with very few items, just what she can carry and wear. It is very dangerous out on the road alone and she must take precautions not to draw attention to herself.
However fate has decided to play some more cruel tricks upon Annie, and it is now that the pace picks up and grabs the reader into a wholly immersible tale involving all of the senses!
Be prepared to experience every kind of emotion as Kim Kelly skillfully and sensitively steers us through a landscape of heartache, longing, thuggery, adventure, history, beauty, awakening, poetic turns, romance and even moments of laugh out loud comedy! ...All in a language which artfully reflects its era.
This is Australian story telling at its best!
With inspiring turns of phrase that often had me pausing for long moments, this story held me captivated. I loved every bit of it so much that even when it was finished I wasn't ready to let it go.
The writing is refreshingly skillful and intelligent, and an absolute pleasure to enjoy.
This story is so much more than the sum of its parts and would be a credible addition to any historical Aussie story of legend...because it is "facticious" (history with some artistic license).
I read the kindle version and loved it so much that I plan to get myself a hard copy to add to my top shelf of favorites, it's a keeper!
Quotes I liked:
"The thing is, you're supposed to be a good person now, today, on earth, because it's the right and reasonable thing to do -"
"This is my new most favourite sound, this meeting of our souls inside a laugh; fleeting, but some drug in itself."
" he really is my friend. And friends don't need to make sense: they just are."
"-and there was the rest of my day gone. Lost to this odd, unreasonable bereavement that sits like a magnet in my chest."
And if there is one quote which sums up this wonderful story, it's this one...
"There's one thing we all know, and that's right from wrong - it doesn't have a colour."
Many thanks to Netgalley and the Publishers for my kindle copy to read and review.
A keeper! 5*s
March 5, 2018
Lady Bird & The Fox would have to be my most anticipated read for 2018. In part, this can be attributed to having been ‘in the know’ about this novel for quite some time. Fortunately for me, I was able to read it in advance of publication. The other side to my anticipation is quite straight forward: it’s a new novel by Kim Kelly and I love every single thing she writes, from novels through to blog posts and even simple social media updates. If Kim writes it, I’ll read it. My expectations were high, but there was never any doubt that they were going to be met. Lady Bird & The Fox is brilliant. Thought provoking, funny – as in, actually laugh out loud funny – historically accurate, meticulously researched, and crafted with impeccable inference. This is a novel that I will buy more than once, because there are heaps of people in my life who will either enjoy it, or benefit greatly from being exposed to its content; either way, I will get satisfaction out of gifting it far and wide.
Kim wrote a blog post on Lady Bird & The Fox in February and I encourage anyone with an interest in this novel to read it as it provides great background context to the story and history retold within its pages. It also opens with a fantastic character summary, which I’m going to include here as it pretty much says exactly what I want to say but in ‘Kim speak’, which is a whole lot more articulate than anything I would come up with.
“Annie Bird is a part Mulgoa, part English woman searching for her Wiradjuri grandfather. She’s Aboriginal in both her understanding of herself, and in the way others treat her; but she’s been robbed of the vast majority of her culture, her Aboriginal inheritances, and especially mourns the loss of her mother’s language. At the same time, she is both intellectually and conscientiously Christian.”
“Jem Fox, on the other hand, is part Polish, part French, and although educated in London, in the English public school system, with all its oppressive Christianity and class snobbery, he is inescapably culturally Jewish. As a result of these clashes and confusions, he’s rejected religion, and any convention, pretty much entirely.”
So that’s Annie and Jem in a nutshell. When they meet, attraction is imminent and sparks begin to fly left right and centre as they set out for a life changing adventure.
Kim is known for writing intelligent romantic historical fiction underpinned with political themes. In Lady Bird & The Fox, she examines racism within colonial Australia, offering an entirely unique perspective to the history we have all taken for granted. Annie has been sheltered by her father for her whole life, protected in her little corner of the universe, and while she has experienced racism to a certain degree, this is nothing to prepare her for what she meets on the road. To witness her shame through Jem’s eyes was particularly powerful, as a member of a minority group himself, his reactions of outrage reinforced exactly how outrageous it was. To be always viewed with mistrust, ostracised, ignored, stripped of basic rights; my heart was bursting with sorrow for Annie, and consequently, for all Aboriginal people who have had to endure this from the beginning of colonisation. And yet, instead of acknowledging this, our history has obliterated it from record. There’s something really awful about a stolen history that one could reflect on in depth, but for the purposes of this review, I’ll leave it here and move on. Suffice to say, Kim has done an incredibly wonderful thing here in writing Lady Bird & The Fox, giving life to an extinguished history and providing modern Australians with a text to rejoice in. Here, at last, is an author who is not afraid to rewrite history back to what it should have always been.
The heart of Lady Bird & The Fox beats with love: a search for family, a search for one’s own true identity, and the search for a free life lived well surrounded by loved ones. The path for Jem and Annie is rough from the start, but filled with adventure and mayhem. One disaster after another besieges the pair, and it’s often hilarious, how much goes wrong, especially when viewed from Jem’s sarcastic perspective. But as hilarious as the wrong stuff is, once things turn around and begin to go right, they go right in the very best of ways. There is a serendipitous feel to the way things go right for Jem and Annie in the end, as against the odds as their romance might have been, Kim shows us that sometimes everyday Angels exist, in the most unlikely of forms, and when they spread their heavenly magic, it’s with a lasting impression. Lady Bird & The Fox is told in the tradition of a great yarn, a novel you almost feel obligated to read out loud while sitting around a camp fire with a cup of Billy tea amongst a gathering of like-minded people. As usual, Kim has managed to inform as well as entertain, a unique, yet highly sought after talent. I loved Lady Bird & The Fox, and chances are, if you’ve read a Kim Kelly novel before, you’ll love it too. And if you’ve never read a Kim Kelly novel before, then this a cracking good one to start with.
Thanks is extended to Kim Kelly for providing me with a copy of Lady Bird & The Fox for review.
Kim wrote a blog post on Lady Bird & The Fox in February and I encourage anyone with an interest in this novel to read it as it provides great background context to the story and history retold within its pages. It also opens with a fantastic character summary, which I’m going to include here as it pretty much says exactly what I want to say but in ‘Kim speak’, which is a whole lot more articulate than anything I would come up with.
“Annie Bird is a part Mulgoa, part English woman searching for her Wiradjuri grandfather. She’s Aboriginal in both her understanding of herself, and in the way others treat her; but she’s been robbed of the vast majority of her culture, her Aboriginal inheritances, and especially mourns the loss of her mother’s language. At the same time, she is both intellectually and conscientiously Christian.”
“Jem Fox, on the other hand, is part Polish, part French, and although educated in London, in the English public school system, with all its oppressive Christianity and class snobbery, he is inescapably culturally Jewish. As a result of these clashes and confusions, he’s rejected religion, and any convention, pretty much entirely.”
So that’s Annie and Jem in a nutshell. When they meet, attraction is imminent and sparks begin to fly left right and centre as they set out for a life changing adventure.
Kim is known for writing intelligent romantic historical fiction underpinned with political themes. In Lady Bird & The Fox, she examines racism within colonial Australia, offering an entirely unique perspective to the history we have all taken for granted. Annie has been sheltered by her father for her whole life, protected in her little corner of the universe, and while she has experienced racism to a certain degree, this is nothing to prepare her for what she meets on the road. To witness her shame through Jem’s eyes was particularly powerful, as a member of a minority group himself, his reactions of outrage reinforced exactly how outrageous it was. To be always viewed with mistrust, ostracised, ignored, stripped of basic rights; my heart was bursting with sorrow for Annie, and consequently, for all Aboriginal people who have had to endure this from the beginning of colonisation. And yet, instead of acknowledging this, our history has obliterated it from record. There’s something really awful about a stolen history that one could reflect on in depth, but for the purposes of this review, I’ll leave it here and move on. Suffice to say, Kim has done an incredibly wonderful thing here in writing Lady Bird & The Fox, giving life to an extinguished history and providing modern Australians with a text to rejoice in. Here, at last, is an author who is not afraid to rewrite history back to what it should have always been.
The heart of Lady Bird & The Fox beats with love: a search for family, a search for one’s own true identity, and the search for a free life lived well surrounded by loved ones. The path for Jem and Annie is rough from the start, but filled with adventure and mayhem. One disaster after another besieges the pair, and it’s often hilarious, how much goes wrong, especially when viewed from Jem’s sarcastic perspective. But as hilarious as the wrong stuff is, once things turn around and begin to go right, they go right in the very best of ways. There is a serendipitous feel to the way things go right for Jem and Annie in the end, as against the odds as their romance might have been, Kim shows us that sometimes everyday Angels exist, in the most unlikely of forms, and when they spread their heavenly magic, it’s with a lasting impression. Lady Bird & The Fox is told in the tradition of a great yarn, a novel you almost feel obligated to read out loud while sitting around a camp fire with a cup of Billy tea amongst a gathering of like-minded people. As usual, Kim has managed to inform as well as entertain, a unique, yet highly sought after talent. I loved Lady Bird & The Fox, and chances are, if you’ve read a Kim Kelly novel before, you’ll love it too. And if you’ve never read a Kim Kelly novel before, then this a cracking good one to start with.
Thanks is extended to Kim Kelly for providing me with a copy of Lady Bird & The Fox for review.
May 18, 2018
It's 1868 and Annie is working with her father on a farm and she enjoys helping him out. Unfortunately a bad stroke of luck leaves her without a roof over her head. She's now an orphan and is no longer welcome at the farm. She has a grandfather somewhere and finding him seems to be her only way forward. Her search starts in a disastrous way though. Bushrangers steal every belonging she still has left. Annie is powerless against them, but fortunately Jem comes to her aid. He accidentally steals a horse and together they chase the thieves. Annie is looking for her grandfather and Jem decides to stay with her until he's been found. However, this proves to be a difficult task.
Jem is the son of a jeweler in Sydney. His father sent him to the countryside to teach him a lesson. Jem has made a mess of his life and his drinking and gambling habits have caused a lot of trouble. The people he's supposed to work for have never heard of Jem, instead he's staying by Annie's side to help her with her search. Due to misunderstandings, racism and hatred their journey becomes a lot harder than they anticipated. Will they eventually reach their destination and what will happen when it's time to part ways? They're from completely different worlds, but a connection has been formed. Can they forget about each other or will love conquer all?
Lady Bird & The Fox is one of the most beautiful stories I've read in a long time. I absolutely loved Annie. She's brave, outspoken, smart and strong. She's also levelheaded and gorgeous inside and out. I had tears in my eyes when I read about all the hatred and bigotry she comes across. Her dignity amazed me and I greatly admired her courage. Jem is lucky to have met her. They are an unusual match, but they work. The serious Annie and cheerful and carefree Jem complement each other in the most wonderful way. It's clear from the start that their connection is deep and meaningful, but there will be plenty of obstacles to overcome and I couldn't turn the pages quickly enough to find out if they'd find happiness in the end.
Kim Kelly's stunning descriptions of the Australian countryside, the inhabitants of the villages Jem and Annie visit on their journey and a large number of various emotions are making Lady Bird & The Fox a true gem to read. It's a brilliant story that's obviously well researched. I love how Kim Kelly manages to make history come to life. It's clear a lot of careful planning went into her story and that made me enjoy it even more. I adored the large number of impressive layers, the gripping adventure and the heartwarming true love. I can't recommend Lady Bird & The Fox enough, it's an absolute must-read.
July 26, 2025
2 ⭐️s
Set in NSW, 1868, when the gold rush was already in full swing. Bushrangers, Aborigines, racism is included in this story.
I don’t know what to make of this book but in any case it was not my cup of tea.
I found the story strange and the romance was kind of odd.
Love the cover art, though. Does it match the story? Hmm, no, probably not.
Audiobook via BorrowBox
Published by: Bolinda audio
Read by Mark Leonard Winter, Tamala Shelton
Duration: 12 hrs, 6 min. 1.25x Speed
Set in NSW, 1868, when the gold rush was already in full swing. Bushrangers, Aborigines, racism is included in this story.
I don’t know what to make of this book but in any case it was not my cup of tea.
I found the story strange and the romance was kind of odd.
Love the cover art, though. Does it match the story? Hmm, no, probably not.
Audiobook via BorrowBox
Published by: Bolinda audio
Read by Mark Leonard Winter, Tamala Shelton
Duration: 12 hrs, 6 min. 1.25x Speed
April 7, 2018
Kim Kelly doesn't just tell a story - she immerses her reader in another life. I think what I love most about her books is that the historic detail in her novels never feels forced, but rather the setting appears naturally around characters who quickly become friends.
Lady Bird & The Fox had me laughing aloud a few times because some bits are just plain funny. Despite the moments of brevity, this is certainly not a light read. At times it's actually quite an uncomfortable story, reminding us of a past many Australians would rather forget - but that shame we have too-often glossed over echoes forward into our society today and such stories so desperately need to be told.
Annie and Jem are easy characters to root for. She is courageous and spirited ("If I'm going to die, I'll die fighting!"), he is a good man ladled right from the early cultural melting pot and struggling to find his place in the world. The way these characters develop across the story feels perfectly timed and tuned. I loved them both from the start, and I loved where they ended up even as individuals.
Lady Bird & The Fox is a completely unique tale. It's a fast-paced, deeply evocative story of life, love and adventure in early Australia. I read it in one sitting, loved every single word, and whole-heartedly recommend it.
Lady Bird & The Fox had me laughing aloud a few times because some bits are just plain funny. Despite the moments of brevity, this is certainly not a light read. At times it's actually quite an uncomfortable story, reminding us of a past many Australians would rather forget - but that shame we have too-often glossed over echoes forward into our society today and such stories so desperately need to be told.
Annie and Jem are easy characters to root for. She is courageous and spirited ("If I'm going to die, I'll die fighting!"), he is a good man ladled right from the early cultural melting pot and struggling to find his place in the world. The way these characters develop across the story feels perfectly timed and tuned. I loved them both from the start, and I loved where they ended up even as individuals.
Lady Bird & The Fox is a completely unique tale. It's a fast-paced, deeply evocative story of life, love and adventure in early Australia. I read it in one sitting, loved every single word, and whole-heartedly recommend it.
Read
July 1, 2018Just finished this amazing read. I don't know how Kim Kelly immerses herself in another era and characters from another time and different cultures so convincingly. I particularly loved the humour in this book. Kelly's compassion and intelligence jumps out of every page. A uniquely Australian tale told with respect and understanding. If you are a die hard romantic like me, you will love it.
July 23, 2018
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book (from NetGalley). All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This was a great novel! I wasn't sure what to expect, but this one delivered quite a handful. A quest type venture, longing, and unexpected obstacles fill the days and nights of Annie and Jem. What a lovely tale of redemption and acceptance in the tempest of racism that was (and still is) Australia. Thank you to NetGalley and Kim Kelly for an eye opening lesson on the current state of Australia!!!
This was a great novel! I wasn't sure what to expect, but this one delivered quite a handful. A quest type venture, longing, and unexpected obstacles fill the days and nights of Annie and Jem. What a lovely tale of redemption and acceptance in the tempest of racism that was (and still is) Australia. Thank you to NetGalley and Kim Kelly for an eye opening lesson on the current state of Australia!!!
October 17, 2018
This is my first Kim Kelly book but I’m not sure about it. The premise of the book did appeal but for some reason I failed to be really enticed with it. Which did surprise me, as a number of my 카지노싸이트 friends rated it very highly.
For me I think it was the narration, I felt it was a bit simplistic and I didn’t ever really feel drawn into the characters. I also felt the alternating chapters between Jem and Annie didn’t have much of a ‘different voice’ and I often found myself skimming.
I’m obviously in the minority on my thoughts with this book and maybe it’s just not the right book for me at the time.
Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for a copy to read
For me I think it was the narration, I felt it was a bit simplistic and I didn’t ever really feel drawn into the characters. I also felt the alternating chapters between Jem and Annie didn’t have much of a ‘different voice’ and I often found myself skimming.
I’m obviously in the minority on my thoughts with this book and maybe it’s just not the right book for me at the time.
Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for a copy to read
May 17, 2021
I listened to this audio sporadically throughout a reading slump and this may have influenced my enjoyment of this book but I really think Jem is really corny (at the beginning) and then just too maudlin' later on for me to like him. Other than this, I think I could actually like him.
July 11, 2024
Not as gripping as I hoped but still a good read it was set in NSW post gold rush. Not what I expected from the cover. I know don’t judge a book by it’s cover!
June 8, 2018
This was such an enjoyable story. Annie and Jem are unique and loveable characters and the story is a fascinating and occasionally disturbing insight into Australian history. I was sorry to finish.
January 10, 2022
Like Bonnie and Clyde, Thelma and Louise and any other team of buddies you'd care to name, the central characters in Kim Kelly's 'Lady Bird & The Fox' get caught up in a series of incidents that quickly spiral beyond their control.
It's a familiar journey in popular culture, and Kelly's set-up in this Australian goldrush tale hits all the marks; although right from the get-go readers will be under no illusion that this story contains several remarkable points of difference.
Heroine Annie is a mixed-raced Hawkesbury girl whose father dies in the opening chapter. Desperate to escape the lies and prejudice of her landlady, she sets out to find the only sense of security she can conjure out of the disaster: her Indigenous grandfather who lives somewhere beyond the Blue Mountains.
On the way, she crosses paths with Jem, a prodigal Jewish son sent out west into order to earn his way back into his father's good books.
The combination of his louche streak and her pious airs is thrilling, an apparent mismatch that drives this novel through into the heart of Kim Kelly's homelands - the NSW Central West - with a series of brutal and often comic reckonings on the way.
The set up of this novel is deceivingly simple. Even the slogan on the cover: "No Conviction, No Reward" (taken from a WANTED poster seeking the eponymous fugitives) remains one-dimensional until Annie and Jem have passed the point of no return.
It's in the rebuilding of their lives that Kelly's true meaning becomes clear, in a call for readers to join in the creation of a credible hope for Annie and Jem while they embark on critical journeys of the heart in the last act of their story.
In this sense, Kelly's book feels incredibly modern, and she never puts a foot wrong.
As an author of historical fiction, Kim Kelly leaves no stone unturned in her search for the truth of the times she records in her stories. Despite its revelatory outcomes for Annie and Jem, there is nothing about this journey that rings other than compellingly true, because the author has leached the archives to write them a place in time.
But this is not a case of tokenism or rewriting history. It's in the voices of the characters - each chapter is told from their different points of view - that the emotional truth overrides the harsh realities.
Annie and Jem are escaping their pasts and the cultures that determine what they should do next, and with beautifully created speech and thought patterns, and a thrilling use of slang, Kelly sketches her characters in an unforgettable and humane manner.
It's a familiar journey in popular culture, and Kelly's set-up in this Australian goldrush tale hits all the marks; although right from the get-go readers will be under no illusion that this story contains several remarkable points of difference.
Heroine Annie is a mixed-raced Hawkesbury girl whose father dies in the opening chapter. Desperate to escape the lies and prejudice of her landlady, she sets out to find the only sense of security she can conjure out of the disaster: her Indigenous grandfather who lives somewhere beyond the Blue Mountains.
On the way, she crosses paths with Jem, a prodigal Jewish son sent out west into order to earn his way back into his father's good books.
The combination of his louche streak and her pious airs is thrilling, an apparent mismatch that drives this novel through into the heart of Kim Kelly's homelands - the NSW Central West - with a series of brutal and often comic reckonings on the way.
The set up of this novel is deceivingly simple. Even the slogan on the cover: "No Conviction, No Reward" (taken from a WANTED poster seeking the eponymous fugitives) remains one-dimensional until Annie and Jem have passed the point of no return.
It's in the rebuilding of their lives that Kelly's true meaning becomes clear, in a call for readers to join in the creation of a credible hope for Annie and Jem while they embark on critical journeys of the heart in the last act of their story.
In this sense, Kelly's book feels incredibly modern, and she never puts a foot wrong.
As an author of historical fiction, Kim Kelly leaves no stone unturned in her search for the truth of the times she records in her stories. Despite its revelatory outcomes for Annie and Jem, there is nothing about this journey that rings other than compellingly true, because the author has leached the archives to write them a place in time.
But this is not a case of tokenism or rewriting history. It's in the voices of the characters - each chapter is told from their different points of view - that the emotional truth overrides the harsh realities.
Annie and Jem are escaping their pasts and the cultures that determine what they should do next, and with beautifully created speech and thought patterns, and a thrilling use of slang, Kelly sketches her characters in an unforgettable and humane manner.
September 24, 2018
Lady Bird and the Fox by Kim Kelly is one of the best historical fiction titles I’ve read in a long time, a claim boosted by the familiarity I felt with the setting (not far from where I grew up). It’s rich in description, passionate in the telling, and immersive as a reading experience.
Annie and Jem are terrific characters with a sassy spark that had me willing them to get their acts together as the story moved on. I laughed, I wiped away a tear or two, but most of all, Kelly got me thinking about the backstory of Australia’s settlement and advance westward from Sydney, the story we weren’t told in school.
I can’t wait to read more titles by this talented Australian author – do yourself a favour and add her to your must-read list.
Annie and Jem are terrific characters with a sassy spark that had me willing them to get their acts together as the story moved on. I laughed, I wiped away a tear or two, but most of all, Kelly got me thinking about the backstory of Australia’s settlement and advance westward from Sydney, the story we weren’t told in school.
I can’t wait to read more titles by this talented Australian author – do yourself a favour and add her to your must-read list.
June 22, 2018
Rating: 3.7 / 5
For the most part, this was a good read. Original, witty, charming, and overall pleasant and enjoyable. The story follows the adventure of Annie Bird and Jeremy Fox, she a half-Aborigine who's left alone in the world following the death of her father and so decides to search for her grandfather, and he a Jewish rich boy who's frivolous and flamboyant but an optimistic and likable fellow.
The personalities of both Annie and Jem are distinct, though exact opposites. She's the responsible, intuitive one, and he's the cheerful yet irresponsible goof. In a way, they remind me of Naveen and Tiana from Disney's The Princess and the Frog. The story starts them off on their separate ways, then has them coming together when Jem rescues Annie while she's being robbed, only to get lost with her in the bush, and then the pair of them mistaken as two members of an outlaw's gang. Add to this a few fun chases, distinct P.O.V.s from both characters in describing their situation, a general exploration of Australia and a bit of romance on the side, and you've got an enjoyable story!
However, I regret to say that the romance element was kind of botched in the last third or so of the book. Essentially, I think the author was trying to go for something like Eliza's response to Darcy's proposal in Pride and Prejudice, but unlike in P&P, I personally saw no reason for Annie to give the same reaction to Jem's proposal. While she does try to justify it with valid points--i.e. that Jem lied once or twice to her about small things at the beginning of their acquaintance, and the fact that he has a history of being a gambler and a rich playboy--I don't think they hold true when compared to how the man drags himself all across the Australian bush and puts his life in mortal peril just to help her fulfill her mission. Sure, he's overly cheerful and optimistic, thus making him a bit of a fool, and he also has a clouded past, but when a guy puts himself between you and the barrel of a gun, gets beat up, chases down outlaws, and then still acts like a gentleman around you and tries to be on his beset behaviour, then you have to give him some benefit of the doubt, at least, which Annie just doesn't give to Jem at first. (And this brings us into the last third of the book, which is focused solely on getting the two together, via encouragement from Annie's grandfather. As a finale to what started out as such a charming story, I didn't really appreciate it, and felt that the ending was rather rushed in comparison. That being said, Jem's falling in love with Annie is rather fast, whereas she's not really described as particularly falling in love with him at all until closer to the ending, so maybe the romance elements weren't too clear to begin with...)
Apart from that though, one other element that I'd like to highlight in my reading experience of this is the racial prejudice element--namely, that both Annie and Jem are outcasts in one way or another. Annie particularly, being "half-black", is constantly downtrodden, though most of this is explained while we're in her perception, which leads me to wonder if maybe she doesn't have a persecution complex since Mrs. Webb, a lady who's bullied her since childhood, is obviously racist. I mean, sure, I get that society as a whole was racist back in the day, but I find it a bit ridiculous to read that literally every single person they come across is perceived to be racist by Annie, either eyeing her in a certain way or saying things a certain way. From Jem's perception, he doesn't really get the full brunt of racism just for being a Jew, but for Annie, it seems to be constant, which I don't find realistic. Sure, society as a whole--but every single person?! That seems like it's stretching it a bit, just to make a point. Overall though, tactfully handled, I would say, and at least the author gave us a good variety of ethnicity for our main characters, not making them just "generically white" because they're the good guys.
All in all, I would indeed recommend this book, but at the same time advise readers not to expect too much of the romance element. Instead, just let the charm of the rest of the story carry it through.
For the most part, this was a good read. Original, witty, charming, and overall pleasant and enjoyable. The story follows the adventure of Annie Bird and Jeremy Fox, she a half-Aborigine who's left alone in the world following the death of her father and so decides to search for her grandfather, and he a Jewish rich boy who's frivolous and flamboyant but an optimistic and likable fellow.
The personalities of both Annie and Jem are distinct, though exact opposites. She's the responsible, intuitive one, and he's the cheerful yet irresponsible goof. In a way, they remind me of Naveen and Tiana from Disney's The Princess and the Frog. The story starts them off on their separate ways, then has them coming together when Jem rescues Annie while she's being robbed, only to get lost with her in the bush, and then the pair of them mistaken as two members of an outlaw's gang. Add to this a few fun chases, distinct P.O.V.s from both characters in describing their situation, a general exploration of Australia and a bit of romance on the side, and you've got an enjoyable story!
However, I regret to say that the romance element was kind of botched in the last third or so of the book. Essentially, I think the author was trying to go for something like Eliza's response to Darcy's proposal in Pride and Prejudice, but unlike in P&P, I personally saw no reason for Annie to give the same reaction to Jem's proposal. While she does try to justify it with valid points--i.e. that Jem lied once or twice to her about small things at the beginning of their acquaintance, and the fact that he has a history of being a gambler and a rich playboy--I don't think they hold true when compared to how the man drags himself all across the Australian bush and puts his life in mortal peril just to help her fulfill her mission. Sure, he's overly cheerful and optimistic, thus making him a bit of a fool, and he also has a clouded past, but when a guy puts himself between you and the barrel of a gun, gets beat up, chases down outlaws, and then still acts like a gentleman around you and tries to be on his beset behaviour, then you have to give him some benefit of the doubt, at least, which Annie just doesn't give to Jem at first. (And this brings us into the last third of the book, which is focused solely on getting the two together, via encouragement from Annie's grandfather. As a finale to what started out as such a charming story, I didn't really appreciate it, and felt that the ending was rather rushed in comparison. That being said, Jem's falling in love with Annie is rather fast, whereas she's not really described as particularly falling in love with him at all until closer to the ending, so maybe the romance elements weren't too clear to begin with...)
Apart from that though, one other element that I'd like to highlight in my reading experience of this is the racial prejudice element--namely, that both Annie and Jem are outcasts in one way or another. Annie particularly, being "half-black", is constantly downtrodden, though most of this is explained while we're in her perception, which leads me to wonder if maybe she doesn't have a persecution complex since Mrs. Webb, a lady who's bullied her since childhood, is obviously racist. I mean, sure, I get that society as a whole was racist back in the day, but I find it a bit ridiculous to read that literally every single person they come across is perceived to be racist by Annie, either eyeing her in a certain way or saying things a certain way. From Jem's perception, he doesn't really get the full brunt of racism just for being a Jew, but for Annie, it seems to be constant, which I don't find realistic. Sure, society as a whole--but every single person?! That seems like it's stretching it a bit, just to make a point. Overall though, tactfully handled, I would say, and at least the author gave us a good variety of ethnicity for our main characters, not making them just "generically white" because they're the good guys.
All in all, I would indeed recommend this book, but at the same time advise readers not to expect too much of the romance element. Instead, just let the charm of the rest of the story carry it through.
January 16, 2019
"The idea of my never having met an Aborigine before suddenly seems the most crushing, dreadful fact - in this, that was once their uninterrupted country."
Pheww this book!
I've loved it from the first sentence. And it only got better and better (until the end). First off: Kim's writing style is absolutely lovely. It's fresh, quick, fiery and always with a hint of humor. The alternating between Annie's and Jem's perspective was energetic and enrichened the plot very much. Everything was so anti-cliché...one unexpected event followed the other. I laughed and I cried my heart out. (I also stayed up until 4 in the morning to finish this marvel.) The characters were alive and interesting and breathtaking. - Their chemistry beyond description. Kelly interweaves the tragic story of the Aborigines, their lost land and pain with a beautiful romance and tale of personal redemption.
It is a profound statement about racism in the past, but also a lesson to be learned for the present.
I could go on and on about this book. About how I would love to see Australia even more now after reading this love letter to it, about how my heart aches for the Aborigines, who were murdered, so others could have a bit of Land on this earth, that can really belong to no one but God.
There was a lot of coarseness of speech though in the way Jeremy Fox thought in the beginning (especially about women - so that's something some of you might not like, because there is a lot of it and a lot of blasphemy). He is a drunkard and an adulterer and it is a constant topic throughout the book, but since this is obviously also a story about his reformation, I wasn't bothered too much by it.
Unfortunately I didn't like the ending very much. It came too quickly and lacked the spirit of the first two thirds of the story and therefore dimmed my enjoyment of it all a little. I was surprised at how easily Annie would do things that were so obviously against her faith and I think Kelly could have handled the question of religion more tactfully. Because of the ending, I'm giving the book 4 stars, even though overall I really, really loved it!
I thank Jazz Monkey Publications and NetGalley for an ARC to read and review.
Pheww this book!
I've loved it from the first sentence. And it only got better and better (until the end). First off: Kim's writing style is absolutely lovely. It's fresh, quick, fiery and always with a hint of humor. The alternating between Annie's and Jem's perspective was energetic and enrichened the plot very much. Everything was so anti-cliché...one unexpected event followed the other. I laughed and I cried my heart out. (I also stayed up until 4 in the morning to finish this marvel.) The characters were alive and interesting and breathtaking. - Their chemistry beyond description. Kelly interweaves the tragic story of the Aborigines, their lost land and pain with a beautiful romance and tale of personal redemption.
It is a profound statement about racism in the past, but also a lesson to be learned for the present.
I could go on and on about this book. About how I would love to see Australia even more now after reading this love letter to it, about how my heart aches for the Aborigines, who were murdered, so others could have a bit of Land on this earth, that can really belong to no one but God.
There was a lot of coarseness of speech though in the way Jeremy Fox thought in the beginning (especially about women - so that's something some of you might not like, because there is a lot of it and a lot of blasphemy). He is a drunkard and an adulterer and it is a constant topic throughout the book, but since this is obviously also a story about his reformation, I wasn't bothered too much by it.
Unfortunately I didn't like the ending very much. It came too quickly and lacked the spirit of the first two thirds of the story and therefore dimmed my enjoyment of it all a little. I was surprised at how easily Annie would do things that were so obviously against her faith and I think Kelly could have handled the question of religion more tactfully. Because of the ending, I'm giving the book 4 stars, even though overall I really, really loved it!
I thank Jazz Monkey Publications and NetGalley for an ARC to read and review.
August 18, 2019
5 ⭐️
I had to pause reading this while I was doing some readathons but I’m glad I got back into it!
My goodness this book was wonderful. I loved it so much 😭❤️
Many marked pages and highlighted passages for my favourite spots and sentences.
Jem is gorgeous and my favourite kind of misguided and misunderstood character. But I love him 😍
Everything about this book was fantastic ! I love history and I love the Australian countryside.
Kim did a great way of describing it and how history is a mess because of racism.
I would love to see this book become a film one day and even be taught in schools.
There were times I was reading it and I thought I was reading just a simple romance novel and everything would be happy like a fairytale, then I’d be hit with something that would make me remember “oh yeah that’s right, people are jerks.”
Honestly, such an unforgettable read 📖
I had to pause reading this while I was doing some readathons but I’m glad I got back into it!
My goodness this book was wonderful. I loved it so much 😭❤️
Many marked pages and highlighted passages for my favourite spots and sentences.
Jem is gorgeous and my favourite kind of misguided and misunderstood character. But I love him 😍
Everything about this book was fantastic ! I love history and I love the Australian countryside.
Kim did a great way of describing it and how history is a mess because of racism.
I would love to see this book become a film one day and even be taught in schools.
There were times I was reading it and I thought I was reading just a simple romance novel and everything would be happy like a fairytale, then I’d be hit with something that would make me remember “oh yeah that’s right, people are jerks.”
Honestly, such an unforgettable read 📖
July 3, 2018
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I loved the relationship between these 2 very relatable characters, Annie Bird and Jem Fox. Orphan Annie Bird, must make her way to the goldfields of late 1860s New South Wales in an attempt to find her grandfather. Encountering Jem Fox after being robbed, she is now in uncharted waters, although they have the common bond of wanting to get back home, but not much else (for now). Readable and well written.
I loved the relationship between these 2 very relatable characters, Annie Bird and Jem Fox. Orphan Annie Bird, must make her way to the goldfields of late 1860s New South Wales in an attempt to find her grandfather. Encountering Jem Fox after being robbed, she is now in uncharted waters, although they have the common bond of wanting to get back home, but not much else (for now). Readable and well written.
July 26, 2018
I received copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
This was a thoroughly enjoyable novel set in 1868 in Colonial Australia. Our history is for the most part full of violent, dark and disturbing events, but Kim Kelly is able to balance this with the romance between Jem and Annie.
This novel is a witty, charming and at times unpredictable story that kept me interested right until the end.
This was a thoroughly enjoyable novel set in 1868 in Colonial Australia. Our history is for the most part full of violent, dark and disturbing events, but Kim Kelly is able to balance this with the romance between Jem and Annie.
This novel is a witty, charming and at times unpredictable story that kept me interested right until the end.
December 10, 2022
Gorgeous!
What a pair, Annie and Jem certainly give Elizabeth and Darcy a run for their money! A couple to remember...Jem, true to his name, is a gem and Annie is amazing.
I feel lucky to know the places and country they roamed and called home, to understand, in some small way, the historical plight of so many and to rejoice in the circles of acceptance that exist, despite everything.
Gorgeous and meaningful.
What a pair, Annie and Jem certainly give Elizabeth and Darcy a run for their money! A couple to remember...Jem, true to his name, is a gem and Annie is amazing.
I feel lucky to know the places and country they roamed and called home, to understand, in some small way, the historical plight of so many and to rejoice in the circles of acceptance that exist, despite everything.
Gorgeous and meaningful.
May 28, 2024
I'd give a 4.5 if I could but decided to round up as I really enjoyed reading this book. The writing was well paced, it was a low stress enjoyable read with a side dash of history and romance. I enjoyed the spotlight being shone on some of the ugly overlooked parts of Australian history and Jewish/ Aboriginal experience. I also like the strong female lead. It's probably unrealistic and too fluffy for some readers who want gritty reads but for something to relax reading this is a great book.
April 19, 2018
A clean romance with a nice touch if history and great characters, I enjoyed Annie and Jem's story. The adventure is solid, and the romance is a lovely slow burn. It's great to get to know Annie and Jem better as the story progresses. I highly recommend this book for both romance readers and fans of history. This is a voluntary review of an advance reader copy.
April 29, 2021
My first Kim Kelly book and what an enjoyable book! I listened to the audio and I don't know if that made it an even better experience but I fell in love with Jem Fox and I think in large part to his narrator, I was laughing all the way through. Some serious topics in there but I found it a light and informative read.
June 24, 2022
I enjoyed this novel for the most part. Annie was a fascinating character and the exploration of racism made for good reading. Jem was less convincing , although a flawed character, he seemed a little unbelievable to me. This was a less compelling story than Kim's other books, however, I did appreciate the themes underneath.
November 3, 2018
Thoroughly enjoyable
I loved the two voices in this novel, which started as an adventure in the outback and ended as a satisfying love story. I wanted to shout hooray!
I loved the two voices in this novel, which started as an adventure in the outback and ended as a satisfying love story. I wanted to shout hooray!
November 21, 2018
Australian history brought to life by incredible characters and perfect prose. Loved it.
January 2, 2019
An amazing story which I loved so much. This book gives you the real story of 1860's Australian history
October 3, 2020
Entertaining read.
November 10, 2021
Review to come
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