Inspired by true events.
Caroline will tell the story of how she came to Tasmania, when it was still called Van Diemen’s Land, many times. She will cast her inventions into the future. Those who carry them on will call it history, but she will call it her life.
Van Diemen’s Land, 1839. A young woman of means arrives in Hobart with a young boy in her care. Leasing an old cottage next to an abandoned vineyard, Caroline Douglas must navigate an insular colony of exiles and opportunists to create a new life on this island of extreme seasons and wild beauty. But Caroline is carrying a secret of such magnitude it has led her to cross the world, and it will take all she is made of to bring it into the light.
Heather Rose is an award-winning Australian author of nine novels, including Bruny, which won the 2020 ABIA General Fiction Book of the Year Award, and The Museum of Modern Love, which won the 2017 Stella Prize. To say she knows how to write captivating novels would be an understatement.
A Great Act of Love is layered yet moving. Every single page bursts with intricate details, and Rose paints a beautiful picture of Tasmania – or should I say Van Diemen’s Land? – back in 1839. Hobart here feels like its own character. As the story progresses, Rose maintains an excellent atmosphere and tone that is engaging. I stayed up late reading this one!
Caroline is a fantastic main character: smart, strong, and determined. There are several moments in the book where things take a heavy, intense turn, but no matter the challenge, she always manages to push through. You’ll feel with her, and Rose makes it easy to connect to Caroline.
A Great Act of Love is well-researched, with clear historical documentation throughout. I was always on the edge of my seat, waiting to see what was going to happen next.
I loved learning about Van Diemen’s Land, Caroline’s past, and all the little tidbits of history that Rose has incorporated throughout the story. If you enjoy a heartfelt tale of love and resilience, I highly recommend A Great Act of Love.
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