A Room Made of Leaves

"‘Highly anticipated’ is such a difficult phrase for authors! Stress levels are high, particularly when the author has decided, in effect, to turn history inside out. Kate Grenville has taken the bland letters of Elizabeth Macarthur, wife of John Macarthur, the so-called ‘father of the [Australian] wool industry’, and read between the lines to give us an alternative story. And what a compelling tale she’s woven, of a canny, resourceful woman, not perfect by any means, but who, through her own efforts and ingenuity, is transformed from reluctant Australian immigrant, a victim of sorts, into a vigorous and successful matriarch. Get the weekly Five Books newsletter A Room Made of Leaves doesn’t shy away from the moral complexities of opportunity and exploitation of late eighteenth century colonialism, but Kate Grenville is one of those generous writers who leaves the reader to think for themselves. And that’s not all. I haven’t even mentioned her exploration of the nature of home, or of nature itself, both strong themes, or the mysteries of desire, or the quietly observed joy of a woman ‘breathing the sweet air of solitude’. Highly anticipated, and fulfils all its promise."