Author: Darry Fraser
ISBN: 9781489250407
RRP: $29.99
Publication Date: 19th December 2018
Publisher: Harlequin Mira
The Widow of Ballarat is Darry Fraser’s third novel and although it clearly stands on its own as a novel, there is a link to her previous two books, the Murray River series.
Set in Ballarat, the day after the infamous Eureka Stockade uprising in the goldfields, Fraser continues to demonstrate her research skills and ability to seamlessly blend historical fact with fascinating, engaging and realistic characters.
Fraser pulls no punches in highlighting the hardships of working on the goldfields during the gold rush in the mid 1800’s. The requirements for all to pay their monthly gold licence fee, even those who weren’t digging but providing services such as laundry “in case they came across a nugget in their work”, the desperation that led to the Eureka Stockade uprising, and the dramatic over response by the government troopers, and the violence that so many women endured at the hands of their fathers and husbands.
Nell Amberton is the central character in this tale. Forced into matrimony by her father with the sickeningly violent Andrew Amberton even before his first wife’s body has even cooled in the grave, Nell vows not to end up the same way. Amberton taunts her that she will only be secure when she produces a male heir, as stated in his legal papers.
The morning after the Eureka Stockade uprising Amberton drags Nell and some bags of gold into a carriage to flee the goldfields, abandoning the men who are working his claim. When the carriage is stopped by a bushranger, Amberton, like the bullying coward he is, uses Nell as a shield as he exits the coach. It comes as a great surprise to all then, when the bullet that fells Amberton does not come from the bushranger’s gun, leaving both Nell and the bushranger to wonder where the bullet came from.
But for a woman in the 19th century, the death of her husband, even one as cruel as Amberton, did not afford any security. Unless Nell was delivered of a male heir, as per Amberton’s will, then she had no claim to the property they lived in, or any form of support, and would likely be returned to her scoundrel of a father so he could sell her off in matrimony again. Reluctantly she finds herself living with Amberton’s sister, who clearly considers Nell to be a burden, and her nephew Lewis, who wants Amberton’s purported gold to address his own financial woes.
Nell must use all her wits to ensure that she remains a free woman and salvages her future from the pit of despair in which she finds herself, while at the same time trying to understand the feelings she seems to be developing for the handsome young bushranger, whose face she has not seen, yet is drawn towards.
This is a fabulously written book, which deals with a tumultuous period in Australian history, in an honest and realistic manner, and yet also encompasses love, loyalty, the beginning of the movement towards rights of women and the amazing strength to survive that some women demonstrated.
At her book launch Darry Fraser stated that she felt the need to write this book to explain where a character in the River Murray series sprang from, and for those familiar with her previous books there will be an “Aha” moment. For those who may not have read Fraser’s prior work I hope this book inspires you to seek them out.
Highly recommended 5 stars.
This guest review was submitted by our Beauty and Lace Club member: Marcia who was lucky enough to meet the author at a book launch.
You can follow Darry Fraser on Facebook, Twitter and her Website.
The Widow of Ballarat is available now at Harlequin, Angus and Robertson, Booktopia and where all good books are sold.
Thanks to Harlequin 20 of our Beauty and Lace club members will be reading The Widow of Ballarat so please be aware there may be spoilers in the comments below.
I love to read, for many years my passion has been science fantasy but recently I’ve discovered many fabulous Australian women authors and am devouring all the new genres I am being exposed to.
In addition to reading and reviewing books I enjoy photography, spending time with my husband, daughter, grandson, 2 dogs and a cat and am an aspiring author.
This is a well written tale, which exposes a period in Australian history that was anything but easy, especially for woman folk.
There is the usual love, loyalty, the not so loyal that we as readers love to devour but there’s also reference to the beginning of rights for woman.
This tale tells the story of Nell a young woman living in the goldfields of Ballarat who is sold by her father to a man who is anything but an honest and caring husband.
It tells of Nells brave fight to protect herself from her husband and later others that try to take advantage of her. This is a young woman who will not to sit back and be taken advantage of.
Thank you Derry Fraser for your well written story of a glimps back at the hardship the woman of that time possible faced. I’ll be sure to read your other stories in the River Murray series.
Excellent review Marcia.
A great review Marcia. Must have been exciting meeting the author at a book launch too.
Thanks for the review Marcia – makes me want to read it!
Thankyou so much for allowing me to read this book The Widow of Ballarat. This would be among my top favourites for the year. The storyline of how Nell was widowed, the realistic description of the people living through the gold rush almost made one feel they were looking on. I have loved both Darry Frasers books and have downloaded the prequel to The Widow of Ballarat You can’t write fast enough for me Darry, look forward to your next book.
The Widow of Ballarat followed a storyline of real life goldfield living along with taking care of yourself in some of the harshest conditions. Nell is a strong woman who fends for her right to live the way she intends after her husband was killed and others were after what she had succeeded in getting. The story of wrongdoing, family, friendships and knowing who to trust and be relied upon is uncovered during the story. Will Nell get through it all and find happiness when things start to fall apart?
A great read about Australia and Ballarat history surrounding goldfields. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story.
The Widow of Ballarat By Darry Fraser
Set in the 1854 goldfields of Ballarat, we follow the life of Nell Amberton. She becomes a young widow when her husband Andrew is shot dead by a bushranger as they are fleeing the goldfields the day after the Eureka uprising.
Her husband’s sister Enid thinks Nell knows where Andrew’s gold is, Enid’s son Lewis is heir to Andrew’s property, and believes he will become rich now that Andrew is dead. Nell has not produced a child, so she is not entitled to anything, and must make her own way in the hard and violent life on the goldfields.
This is a well written and easy to read account of the hardships of life in the 1850’s, and how difficult it was for any women to make a living. The reader is able to learn about the daily events, the Troopers role, and the tough environment people had to endure with the hope of “striking it rich”.
Thank you to Beauty and Lace Book Club, and to Harlequin books for the chance to read this great account of life in the Victorian goldfields. Another wonderful book from Darry Fraser
This was the first book of Darry Frasier’s that I have read. I absolutely loved it. I will definitely be reading her other books.
I did post my review yesterday but it appears to be missing. Trying again!
This story highlights to me the harshness of reality of living and working in the goldfields. When Nell finds herself in a situation of danger, living as a widow to a harsh husband who has been killed, she realises she needs to make a life for herself and protect it in any way she can.
Her sister in law and nephew, along with her father make life difficult for her. She turns to an unlikely person for assistance.
Harshness, violence, greed and love are covered in the story based around The Ballarat goldfields incorporating the Eureka Stockade.
Great story!
Set in 1854 – Ballarat goldfields, Darry Fraser’s 3rd book really gives you the feeling you are walking back through history.
The main character Nell, is an enduring strong woman, who’s life seems to be full of bad circumstances & people. Nell is a survivor, and although endured terrible abuse from her father & husband, she has an enground feeling of what life could be.
I really enjoyed reading this story of bushrangers, gold miners, government troopers, survival, love & hope.
It’s a wonderful Australian history lesson.