The Drover’s Wife by Leah Purcell
$1.99
The Drover's Wife
- The Legend of Molly Johnson
- By: Leah Purcell
- Narrated by: Leah Purcell
- Length: 9 hrs and 17 mins
- Categories: Literature & Fiction
Publisher's Summary
Deep in the heart of Australia's high country, along an ancient, hidden track, lives Molly Johnson and her four surviving children, another on the way. Husband Joe is away months at a time droving livestock up north, leaving his family in the bush to fend for itself. Molly's children are her world, and life is hard and precarious with only their dog, Alligator, and a shotgun for protection - but it can be harder when Joe's around.
At just 12 years of age, 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, man and reptile. Danny is mature beyond his years, 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, under the moon's watch, Molly has a visitor of a different kind - a Black 'story keeper', Yadaka. He's on the run from authorities in the nearby town, 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.
Full of fury and power, Leah Purcell's The Drover's Wife: The Legend of Molly Johnson is a brave reimagining of the Henry Lawson short story that has become an Australian classic. Brilliantly plotted, it is 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
Anonymous User
Wow! Powerful & Moving
The Drover’s Wife is storytelling at it’s best!
I was struck by how skilfully this story was written and how masterfully it was told!!
It had captured me from the very first line (I love Snow Gums too) and held my interest to the very end.
Leah’s reading was heartfelt and authentic – it was clear which of the many characters was talking and how they were feeling by her different voices –
Basically, she nailed it!
I was mesmerised by her beautiful vivid descriptions of the scenery putting me right there and the emotions this authentically Australian story evoked, were powerful ones!!!
Outstanding all round Leah – and the beauty is I could feel the strength, the pride and the compassion of the story teller 🙂
Thank you for telling this story
5 people found this helpful
M. Garvey
great Australian story
a wonderful fictional insight into the tough life of the white pioneers and the heartbreaking treatment of the traditional owners of our land. loved the use of traditional language and respect given to the hardship experiences of the Indigenous people and women of the times.
1 person found this helpful