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A Room Made of Leaves

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A Room Made of Leaves

By: Kate Grenville
Narrated by: Valerie Bader
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£5.99/mo after 3 months. Offer ends on 5 July 2026 at 11:59 BST. Cancel monthly.

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FROM THE BOOKER PRIZE-SHORTLISTED AND WOMEN’S PRIZE-WINNING AUSTRALIAN NOVELIST
SHORTLISTED FOR THE WALTER SCOTT PRIZE FOR HISTORICAL FICTION

It is 1788. When twenty-one-year-old Elizabeth marries the arrogant and hot-headed soldier John Macarthur, she soon realises she has made a terrible mistake. Forced to travel with him to New South Wales, she arrives to find Sydney Town a brutal, dusty, hungry place of makeshift shelters, failing crops, scheming and rumours. All her life she has learned to fold herself up small. Now, in the vast landscapes of an unknown continent, Elizabeth has to discover a strength she never imagined, and passions she could never express.

Inspired by the real life of a remarkable woman, this is an extraordinarily rich, beautifully wrought novel of resilience, courage and the mystery of human desire.

©2020 Kate Grenville (P)2020 Canongate Books Ltd Fiction Historical Fiction Solider Scary
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I know nothing about Australian history penal colonies and abuse of aboriginals. very interesting

fascinating Australian history

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I loved the beautiful language in this book. The narrator was also very good and pleasant to listen. Although the story was interesting as such, for some reason I found it somewhat rambling. The characters remained impersonal to me.

Beautiful language

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It seems trivial but the delivery shouldn’t have errors.
The mild Australian accent was fine and made sense seeing as she had lived there so long.
But
Pronunciation of words like Culloden, Boatswain and a YORKSHIRE accent for a man from Devon really jarred.

The mistakes in the narration.

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This was a great listen - a fascinating reimagining of life for the early European settlers - I loved it. Kate Grenville is a fantastic storyteller ..

Wonderful

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I love this author. She is always informative, entertaining and inspiring. Please write something soon I’m in withdrawal.

Excellent as usual

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