In 1950s Australia, during the height of the divisive White Australia Policy, Virginia, a young Aboriginal girl is taken from her home and put to work on an isolated and harsh outback station. Her only solace: the violin, taught to her secretly by the kind-hearted wife of the abusive station owner. However, Virginia's prodigious musical gift cannot save her from years of hardship and racism.
Decades later, her eight year old granddaughter Ruby plays the violin with the passion Virginia once possessed. Amidst poverty, domestic violence and social dysfunction, Ruby escapes her circumstance through her practice with her grandmother's frail, guiding hand. Ruby’s zeal attracts the attention of an enigmatic music professor and with his help, she embarks on an incredible journey of musical discovery that will culminate in a rare opportunity. But with two cultural worlds colliding, her gift and her ambition will be threatened by deeply ingrained distrust, family jealousies and tragic secrets that will define her very identity.
I had the pleasure of reading The Hambledown Dream by Mr. Hayes last year and just loved it. So, I was really excited to read his newest book, Gifts of the Peramangk. The cover alone is stunning, but it's what is between the covers that kept me riveted night after night. I savored it slowly, not wanting to see this novel end.
A poignant, thought-provoking novel that deals with the real issue of racism, and with characters that are so well developed, I wept for them and I cheered for their triumphs, however tinged they may be with diversity and hopelessness. The violin does play a big part of the story, but it is the superb plot and realistic writing that will keep you drawn, page after page. I was invested in both stories, that of the past and of the future, and was really delighted with the ending. You don't need to read his first book to enjoy this one, but Dean is such a phenomenal writer, I'd urge you to pick up both. I highly recommend this book!!
*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
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Thank you once again for featuring my work at your most excellent website. I am so pleased that Gifts of the Peramangk made such an impression on you. I'd like to offer the lucky winner of the give away a little something extra - a personally signed lobby card from me that features the cover art of the novel.
ReplyDeleteI'll make sure to keep an eye on this post.
Just a side note - I posted a feature at my official website that goes into the development of the cover. It's almost a story in itself. You can check it out here:
http://www.deanfromaustralia.com/2012/11/secrets-of-peramangk-cover-art-revealed.html
Again - my sincere thanks for your wonderful feature.
Sounds like a great book. My mom loves reading so this would be a great idea for a Christmas gift for her.
ReplyDeleteThank you Cheryl. This is a really unique Australian story that I am very proud of. If you do decide to purchase a copy for your Mum let me know and I will sign a lobby card for her and send it across - hopefully in time for Christmas. :)
DeleteThis sounds like a great book and it's so nice to hear from the author as well!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jaime. I like to engage and interact with readers because it's nice to be able to discuss my work with them and I obviously value their feedback. Readers are of course what it's all about because without them, I'd kinda have no purpose. Thanks for taking the time to visit Wendys review.
DeleteIt looks intriguing - would love to check it out
ReplyDeleteThank you Lena. I just reworked the trailer for the novel this week to account for the fact that it's now out there in the world as it were. You can check it out here:
Deletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alQjye6HTLY&sns=em
Thanks for taking a look at Wendys review.
This is just the kind of book that would suck me in and not let go until it was finished. I might just have to put this on my Christmas list!
ReplyDeleteThat is nice to hear Jennifer. If you do choose to add it to your list, I'd be happy to sign a lobby card for you too and send it over. Something to keep in mind. ;)
DeleteI think my mother in law would probably pick this book up and not put it down until the last page.
ReplyDeleteI hope she does 3 Giggly Monsters. Gifts of the Peramangk was by far my most challenging work - a two year journey from the very first notes I made to the final product. It is a multi layered story that focuses on several key characters whose arcs intersect in such a way that they drive the narrative onwards. The dual time periods too, was another aspect that challenged me. I had to present Virginia's 1950's childhood in such a way that it informed her granddaughters modern day arc rather than be a duplicate of it. I believe it works really well. Thank you for stopping by today.
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