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A Waltz for Matilda
- The Matilda Saga, Book 1
- Narrated by: Edwina Wren
- Length: 13 hrs and 27 mins
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Publisher's Summary
The story behind Banjo Paterson's iconic Australian song.
"Once a jolly swagman camped by a Billabong
Under the shade of a Coolibah tree
And he sang as he watched and waited till his Billy boiled
You'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me...."
In 1894, 12-year-old Matilda flees the city slums to find her unknown father and his farm. But drought grips the land, and the shearers are on strike. Her father has turned swaggie, and he's wanted by the troopers. In front of his terrified daughter, he makes a stand against them, defiant to the last. "You'll never catch me alive," said he....
Set against a backdrop of bushfire, flood, war, and jubilation, this is the story of one girl's journey toward independence. It is also the story of others who had no vote and very little but their dreams.
Drawing on the well-known poem by A.B. Paterson and from events rooted in actual history, this is the untold story behind Australia's early years as an emerging nation.
Praise:
"Jackie French has a passion for history, and an enviable ability to weave the fascinating minutiae of everyday life into a good story." (Magpies Magazine)
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What listeners say about A Waltz for Matilda
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- Beate Maria Sommer
- 10-06-2023
Brilliant
Brilliant, captivating, great depth and colourfulness of characters. Couldn’t stop listening. Loved every minute if it!
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- Lisa Haywood
- 19-07-2021
Top Shelf Stuff
Loved it when I read it, loved it when I heard it, will listen again
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- Amazon Customer
- 07-01-2024
bit far fetched
Little too much like Mary Elwyn Patchett's stories.
Timelines of Drinkwater generations were questionable, without enough wriggle room to be ok.
However, I still hung on every word, rewound many times, and found myself bawling at various points throughout.
Thoroughly enjoyed the book and am about to embark on Book 2 in the Matilda series.
Thank you once again Jackie French, for keeping me up late coz I couldn't put it down.
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- Barbara L
- 19-07-2023
Wonderful start to this series
What an informative start to this amazing series of Australia.Loved the books story line wound around the late 1800 into the early I900.How great it is to be able to listen and learn of our Australian history from writers who are willing to dig into our precious history making it such enjoyable book to listen to Most enjoyable book love the extra’s Thank you Jackie and Edwina well done to you both
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- Jo-Anne Gasi
- 20-10-2023
Great story
Great book, so glad I found this collection. Love the characters and the storyline. Well written and very engaging. Loved it
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- carol
- 26-09-2023
Great story
Loved the story, historical fiction is very enjoyable. Life was very tough for everyone in the 1800’s, women and children especially.
A well written story with rich characters that kept me listening.
Carol
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- Amazon Customer
- 25-03-2022
Excellent
I feel all Australian’s should read this book, it should be on the school curriculum..
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- Jacqueline Benz
- 11-02-2023
Very informative and revealing.
I was surprised at how interesting this story was, the characters well illustrated came to life and captured the imagination.
I learned a whole lot about Australia at its early stages and came to understand more about its struggles and the mettle of the people who forged what we have today.
Very well narrated.
Jacqui of Noosa Queensland
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- Denise Kelleher
- 22-09-2023
A cracking tale
So much rich history . Loved it. It may be a tad slow in bits but it suited the book. Life is like that at times . Some brilliant research done for this book too. Incredibly interesting . I’ll be definitely reading the next one ..thanks Jackie . What a wonder you are
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