A Room Made of Leaves

Reading

Having returned from a three week holiday in Australia just before lockdown ; Sydney (with its Rocks area, being our final stop) I was intrigued by its early history, so reread Sarah Dane by Catherine Gaskin a novel about a female convict and A Room Made of Leaves sounded interesting in depicting the cicumstances in which Elizabeth McArthur from a small Devon village became a free settler on the second fleet to the penal colony in New South Wales; this was my first introduction to this author and I thoroughly enjoyed her take/perception on the character and the conditions of her life both in Devon and NSW.

Using letters and other documents about Elizabeth Macarthur and her husband, early settlers near Sydney, Australia, Grenville weaves a fascinating story about their voyage to NSW with a boatload of convicts for company and their eventual farming and sheep ranching . Macarthur was known as the sheep king of Australia but the success of the venture was largely due to Elizabeth's managerial skills. Macarthur was a quarrelsome, difficult man whose ambitions far exceeded his talents and abilities. This is the story behind the facade of public facts.

**Spoilers**I purchased this book with the notion that I would be reading a fictional story, this meant I was met with surprise when I read at the beginning the editor’s note which described the findings of Elizabeth’s story within a roof cavity and this book would be her story, her words. This thrilled me immediately, and I devoured the book intently. I felt as though I was living through her, I had traveled back in time to this unknown land and all of a sudden history was been stitched together in front of me. However, upon reading the authors notes at the end of the book I discovered that in fact the story that I had just read was actual fiction and the editors notes at the beginning where in fact false. The world of Elizabeth that I had created to exist in apart of my brain that was so rich and full of vivid beauty and truth was all of a sudden covered in a dark mist, I know I sound dramatic but it feels fraudulent to some degree. Maybe I’m the fool for believing too quickly.

I really enjoyed this. No idea what it would be about. Just liked the cover. Intrigued by back cover synopsis. Excellent story of one woman’s feisty survival of ghastly enforced marriage to awful man in 19th century resulting in emigration to NSW. Amazing resilience in face of adversity. Well written & astutely funny .

Interesting story of a woman, life in early colony of Australia, direct, clear writing style.

I loved this book! I read it straight through in one sitting. This is a new author to me but I will look forward to reading more of her work!

I did enjoy this book though I would have like more about how the main character developed in her later life. Easy to read though and interesting.

I loved her perception and descriptions. I enjoyed the historical and Australian setting. I will look for more of her writings

The book is a page turner. I felt I was living alongside Elizabeth. The brutality of the penal colony and the remedies "Mrs. Macarthur" comes up with to survive and prosper are a lesson for the 21st century woman

Engrossing.'A Room Made Of Leaves' is an important addition to our Australian literature. Kate Grenville paints a vivid, realistic portrait of Australia's early years. However, I would suggest more importantly, this wonderful novel provides insight into the forgotten tragic history of our First People. The origins of our struggle to recognise their wisdom, culture and knowledge together with devaluing and systematic stygamatisation.History made real. Thank you Kate.

For those who enjoy strong characters and a good dose of history this is a good well crafted read. It opens up the rather hidden world of Early Sydney and provides insight into Macarthur who was such a significant part of early NSW. One does get to learn about Elizabeth Macarthur but I found it took me in an unexpected direction which did take great liberties with the limited historical detail available. it is not a long text but I enjoyed the reading experience in the hands of an accomplished writer and I enjoyed learning about the conditions at the time.

This is the first book I have read by Kate Grenville and I was surprised by some of the beautiful writing.I would have liked to have read more about Elizabeth Macarthur's involvement in the wool industry but never the less the blend of history and fiction gives some insight and paints an overall picture of life in a penal settlementand the character of Elizabeth Macarthur as one of strength and resilience.