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English Passengers

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English Passengers

By: Matthew Kneale
Narrated by: Ron Keith, Simon Prebble, Gerard Doyle, Gianfranco Negroponte, Jenny Sterlin, Patrick Tull, Davina Porter
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About this listen

It is 1857, and Reverend Geoffrey Wilson has departed England to prove the literal truth of the Bible. The expedition heads towards Tasmania, where he is convinced he will find the real Garden of Eden. But the other passengers have their own agendas.

Dr Potter is developing a sinister thesis, and the ship is crewed by smugglers of contraband brandy and tobacco. As the English passengers near Peevay's land, their bizarre notions become painfully at odds with reality. Their destination is no Eden but a world of hunting parties and colonial ethnic cleansing. A mighty collision is approaching....

©2000 Matthew Kneale (P)2001 W. F. Howes Ltd Fiction Historical Fiction Funny Witty Tobacco
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I highly recommend this book. The many narrators added value by their characterful reading. Each narrator is quite different in their style and for me this added to my enjoyment of the book. I feel this book lends itself well to audio book presentation and has been very well performed. The subject matter of the book is interesting and has provoked me to read more on the history. The book narrates a captivating story in an unusual and interesting way with several characters who the listener will find themselves caring about. I highly recommend this book.

Exciting, moving, funny, thought provoking

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Funny, serious and insightful - good history lesson. The reading was clear and different characters well differentiated

Excellent entertainment

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Loved this story of the illl fated Captain and his ship. As disasters befall him, he tries to salvage what he can from the situation, heaping more bad luck upon them all.
The description of the Aboriginal peoples woes are no less well written and the dreadful things done to them in the name of improvement are really well portrayed.

Well written and performed

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I loved this; fascinating, tragic and funny in equal measures it tells such a vivid story covering Victorian religious and scientific morals and views, the lives and ultimate fate of the native people and much more. The characters are rich and well performed- I devoured it!

Gloriously told Tasmanian historical fiction

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This early example of multiple narratives is perfect for the subject matter of clashing cultures. I have read a lot of Australian colonial stories, and feel this writer has really understood and dealt with the invasion of Australia in a very nuanced way. I would have preferred a few more voice actors, as a few of the characters sounded too alike, but this is nit picking.

A masterclass in dramatic irony

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