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The Drover's Wife

The Legend of Molly Johnson

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The Drover's Wife

By: Leah Purcell
Narrated by: Leah Purcell
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About this listen

 Deep in the heart of Australia's high country, along an ancient, hidden track, live Molly Johnson and her children. Husband Joe is away droving, leaving his family in the bush to fend for itself. Molly's children are her world, and life is hard with only their dog, Alligator, and a shotgun for protection - but it can be harder when Joe's around.

Molly's eldest son Danny is the true man of the house, determined to see his mother and siblings safe - from raging floodwaters, hunger and intruders. Danny is mature, but there are some things no child should see. He knows more than most just what it takes to be a drover's wife.

One night, Molly has a visitor - a black 'story keeper', Yadaka. He's on the run from authorities, and exchanges kindness for shelter. Both know that justice in this nation caught between two worlds can be as brutal as its landscape. But in their short time together Yadaka shows Molly a secret truth, and the strength to imagine a different path.

In this brave reimagining of the Henry Lawson short story that has become an Australian classic, Purcell brings us a compelling thriller of our pioneering past that confronts head-on issues of today: race, gender, violence and inheritance.©2021 Leah Purcell (P)2021 Penguin Random House Australia Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Marriage Heartfelt Inspiring Thought-Provoking Tear-jerking
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If you want a story that never fails to deliver on rape, violence and all manner of abuse, this is the book for you. I found it utterly miserable from start to finish.

Too miserable for words

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Heart-warming, tragic and truly Australian. The best Australian story in years. Perfectly narrated. Can't wait for the next one!

The best Australian story in years

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Well performed. Well written. An unveiling of cultural truths in the telling. I look forward to seeing it on the big screen.

On many occasions I caught myself in awe of the author's ability to create vivid word pictures describing characters and Country. I also respect and applaud the natural blending of language.

The narration / narrator is truly gifted in both word and song.

Deadly History

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Loved everything about this book and enjoyed it thoroughly. The performance of the narrator (the author herself!) was absolute magic - a true storyteller. I could listen all day…. Thanks so much!

A wonderful listen

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What and amazing book, had me from the first words cannot recommend this book enough.
Can’t wait for the next one

Loved Every second of this book

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A interesting story awaits the listener, it is well read and worth the lump in the throat.

A interesting story

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I recommend listening to the story. I was swept into each scene to glimpse the hardship of that time.

Comes to life

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What a great story and read by an excellent Narator. Congratulations on doing a really great job telling this story. Loved listening to it.

Narator was excellent

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Everything about this novel was wonderful. Superb and heartfelt narration, glorious word pictures and a tribute to the women of the time. loved it from the first to last word. Thank you Leah Purcell.

Superb

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entranced from the start. loved the narration by Leah could close my eyes and could visualise how it all played out. this book should be studied in all high schools in this country. can't wait to see the movie now. thank you for sharing this story

Brilliant

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.