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The Waddi Tree cover art

The Waddi Tree

By: Kerry McGinnis
Narrated by: Humphrey Bower
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Editor reviews

Set amid the barren sand and sun of Central Australia, Kerry McGinnis’ tale of family, tragedy, and redemption finds a versatile suitor in the strains of Aussie actor Humphrey Bower. The Waddi Tree follows young Jim McAllister, sent to live on the cattle station of a well-to-do uncle after the tragic death of his mother. As he grows accustomed to his new life, the teenage Jim shows promise as a jackaroo. Jim begins to dream of his own cattleman career, but finds himself hampered by his family’s dark past. A prolific audiobook performer, Bower colors the proceedings with distinct character acting and impassioned diction. Bower lends rugged masculinity to McGinnis’ brawny bushmen, while nevertheless betraying the tenderness and insecurity that lurks within young Jim.

Summary

Two branches of the McAllister family lead very different lives on cattle stations in Central Australia. Rob, a stickler for correctness, manages a wealthy, company-owned property while his easygoing brother, Sandy, struggles to support his wife and son on an impoverished leasehold. When tragedy throws the families together, it ultimately drives them even further apart.

Sandy's young son Jim suffers the most. Left to rebuild his shattered world, he falls back on the larger-than-life station characters and the comfort of horses. This is tough country, where personal hardship is kept in perspective by drought, fire and isolation. The times are just as unforgiving, and as the years pass, Jim discovers that he must pay for his father's mistake as well as his own. Yet this harshly beautiful land is full of promise and a source of strength to Jim on his road from innocence to independence.
©2006 Kerry McGinnis (P)2006 Bolinda Publishers Pty Ltd.
Literature & Fiction
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Critic reviews

"McGinnis has the eye of a painter; she writes as she sees and the land come alive." ( Weekend Australian)

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Profile Image for Bellatrice

An Absolute Gem

A truly beautiful, well rounded coming of age story that will break your heart and mend it again. If you liked Shena Mackay's The Orchard on Fire, you will love this. I cannot fault it.

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