A good novel full of adventure and character.
Toby and Paddy are brothers who have witnessed both their parents being murdered by a notorious outlaw and his band in the early years of the Colony of Victoria. Paddy received a severe head injury during the attack that claimed their parents and so it is Toby as the older brother who sets out to manage the family herd and keep a roof over their heads. Despite his best efforts their herd is stolen from them and a neighbour who had bought their father’s debt turns them out of their family home.
Forced to make their own way in the world they decide to join the many people seeking gold in the territory and as they do so they come across a range of characters that shape their growth into men. Paddy grows to be a strong and faithful support to both his brother and others that they meet while Toby finds love and seeks to make a life for his new family and Paddy. This does not prove easy as they are caught up in the revolts by the miners against the government while trying to make a living.
This is a very bold tale in its scope as it covers 2 years of the lives of the boys as well as the development of the colony. It is also a tale of hope over adversity as Toby tries to make them a decent life with some help from an unexpected direction.
Forced to make their own way in the world they decide to join the many people seeking gold in the territory and as they do so they come across a range of characters that shape their growth into men. Paddy grows to be a strong and faithful support to both his brother and others that they meet while Toby finds love and seeks to make a life for his new family and Paddy. This does not prove easy as they are caught up in the revolts by the miners against the government while trying to make a living.
This is a very bold tale in its scope as it covers 2 years of the lives of the boys as well as the development of the colony. It is also a tale of hope over adversity as Toby tries to make them a decent life with some help from an unexpected direction.