The Secret River begins its story in London in 1806 where we are introduced to William Thornhill. William has recently married his childhood sweetheart Sal and is a
waterman on the River Thames.
Life is extremely hard and in order to feed his family William makes a dreadful mistake which almost costs him his life. However, the family is transported to New South Wales for the term of William's natural life.
After the awful journey the story continues telling us about how they managed to survive until William makes an extremely difficult decision: one which brings the family into despair and danger.
This book is really atmospheric with its moving accounts of the poverty of the people trying to earn a living in the shadow of The Thames. When the story moves to the hostile landscape and people of Australia Grenville brings to life the colony created.
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