Title: A Greater World
Author: Clare Flynn
Publisher: 10th January 2019 by Canelo
Pages: 543 pages
How I Read It: ARC book
Genre: historical fiction, womens fiction
My Rating: 4 cups
Synopsis:
A wrenching saga of the voyage that changed their lives.
Elizabeth Morton, born into a prosperous family, and Michael Winterbourne, a miner, come from different worlds but when they each suffer unspeakable and life-changing tragedy they’re set on a path that intertwines on the deck of the SS Historic, bound for Sydney.
Falling in love should have been the end to all their troubles. But fate and the mysterious Jack Kidd make sure it's only the beginning.
My Thoughts
I enjoyed reading the story of Elizabeth and Michael - two people from very different social rankings, who were forced to leave their homes in England to start anew in Australia during the 1920s. They met on the boat journey to Australia and the story follows how things unfolded for each of them in the this new ‘greater’ world.
It makes for a good historical romance with lots of occurrences over a number of years. You will certainly feel for both Elizabeth and Michael with what fate (or the actions of others) had in store for them. It is quite epic with a lot happening entailing life and death, city and country existence, family and friends, love and ruin just to name a few. The hardships they endure is cruel at times, however, nothing was to be easy in starting over with nothing.
The true vision of this story I believe, is about enduring and overcoming circumstances to build resilience and inner strength to do what is right and just with the cards life has dealt you. Both the main and secondary characters were well executed, my only concern is that there were a few too many convenient encounters throughout the story that you have to simply let go of and just ride with them on the journey of unfolding events. However, I read to escape, not to question, therefore it’s a good experience if a little contrived.
An easy and enjoyable read that I believe fairly accurately captures life back then, the hardships for women and the strength and fortitude to overcome them in the long run.
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher and provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.
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