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The Water Diviner cover art

The Water Diviner

By: Andrew Anastasios, Meaghan Wilson-Anastasios
Narrated by: Jack Thompson
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Publisher's Summary

When the Great War ends, Joshua Connor, a grieving farmer and sometime water diviner from the Mallee in Victoria, sets out to fulfil his wife's dying wish – to travel to Gallipoli to recover the bodies of his three sons and bury them in consecrated ground.

Crescent collides with cross, and hope with reason as he discovers that his eldest son, Art, may still be alive. When Connor makes a desperate dash into the perilous heart of Anatolia one question haunts him: if Art is alive, why hasn't he come home?

This is not a war novel, not even an anti-war novel. Instead it focuses on the battles that go on inside the hearts and minds of a small group of Australians and Turks as they struggle to bury their dead and rebuild their lives after the First World War. The story is based on first-hand resources, diaries and official records.

©2014 Andrew Anastasios (P)2014 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd

Critic Reviews

"Veteran Australian actor Jack Thompson narrates his first audiobook with dazzling success.... Thompson's subtle performance expresses the fierce passions of the characters with powerful resonance. The audiobook simply sweeps you up and tangles you in an extraordinary story.... Powerful to the end, this is a listening saga that stays with you." (AudioFile)

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How can I ever find another book of this caliber again!

I recently watched The Water Diviner and was so moved by the movie I went in search of the book. As a busy mum I chose the audiobook and I have been so captivated by every word I've taken to wearing head phones around the house as I hang the washing and weed my garden!
The fact that an Aussie legend reads (Jack) adds to the alluring flavour (mind you I was picturing Russell and the actors from his movie as I listened!). I recommend this treasure to everyone!! It's that good!
It paints both countries with a eloquent, realistic, deep and enthralling brush strokes. It made me both proud to be an Australian and eager to learn more about the Istanbul side of the story. I've never thought of the losses of anywhere else, in school we only ever learnt about our ANZAC's so I'm grateful for this reason to have experienced this masterpiece of literature.
I loved it and I sit here now both fulfilled yet devastated that it ended.
Thank you.

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9 people found this helpful

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On a magic carpet ride

The Water Diviner was indeed a magical ride back and forth into our historical past and the present.

The story sees our main character, Joshua Connor, a grieving father/farmer/water diviner from the Mallee in Victoria, who leaves everything he knows and sets out to fulfil his wife's dying wish and travels to Gallipoli to recover the bodies of his adored 3 sons and bury them in consecrated ground.

The iconic Aussie, Jack Thompson utilises his award winning acting talents to take you on this incredibly moving, yet uplifting journey together with Joshua, showing us inside the man and experiencing the raw pain of a heartbroken father/husband who has lost everything he thought was his to own.

With nothing to lose, he leaves the world he has always known and is thrust into an alien unknown new world, fuelled by a blinding mission to find his sons bodies among the 1000's lost at the Gallipoli landing. He meets some wonderfully colourful characters who scratch at the hard exterior of the broken man and who, through persistence, kindness, decency and honour aide him in his quest and eventually break through his reserve and befriend him. It is a very different Joshua Connor that emerges at the end of this story.

It is a tale of great sadness but also one of hope and joy as the author shows us that life is both transient but nevertheless precious to those that hold us dear.

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7 people found this helpful

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Such a beautiful story

i so loved hearing The Water Diviner story narrated by Jack Thompson's rich and authentic voice. This is a beautiful story - it's incredibly sad, some chapters I wondered how the human spirit could bear such agony. However the story of Joshua Connor is one of the most courageous I will ever read about.

This is a story that you'll need to take time out for - get into a nice comfy chair or a nice 8 hour drive for me - you'll be transported to rugged Victoria Australia, then onto faraway Gallipoli - it's an amazing, incredible and emotional tale. I loved it.

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  • Jo
  • 03-03-2016

Thanks for sharing such a huge part of Australian and New Zealand history

As a New Zealander this story is such a big part of our lives. The ANZACs play a huge part in our history and is what makes the bond between the two countries. Thanks for bringing this story to life

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Rich words and spoken by a gifted orator.

I had already watched the movie but when I saw this was read by Jack Thompson then I new the
Performance would be divine Australian in the
Performance.
The also story came back life for me by the rich works and amazing command of the English language written unlike any book I know.
Thank you to all those who made this possible!

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inspirational

Jack Thompson "is" Joshua Connor. Multiple listens, very compelling. Deeds uniquely Australian come to life

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soulfelt

Thank you magnificent uplifting thouhtful a must read/listern by people of all ages everywhere outstanding

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Water diviner

Wonderful now to see the movie to compare. Give it a try why don't you.

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Great story well told

Jack Thompson was fabulous. This story should be a must in school. A highly recommended read.

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Thankyou

Thankyou for this wonderful story. I am still to see the Movie that apparently pre-empted this story.
As a lover of history and geography, I have found many points in the dialogue that have set me of on new research adventure. Whomever or whatever that Aussie father was, I am sure his family would have been proud of him going to look for his son/sons.

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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.