Ready Reference Treatise: The Secret River

“The Secret River” by Kate Grenville was first published in 2005. It is a highly interesting historical novel.

The novel is about an early 19th century Englishman who was transported to Australia on the charge of theft. Australia was inhabited by Aboriginal people when the Europeans colonized the land. The novel explores what may have happened after the colonization.

“The Secret River” is often compared to “The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith” and “True History of the Kelly Gang” by Thomas Keneally and Peter Carey respectively for the historical theme and the writing style.

The major plot of the story rests on the destructive clash of civilizations which took place during the colonization of Australia.

The author presents a highly compelling story describing the initial encounters between the natives of Australia and the white settlers. Both of them fought battles to lay their claims on the land which caused the violent dispersal of the natives, the Aborigines, and the founding of modern Australia.

Ready Reference Treatise: The Secret River
Copyright
Chapter One: Introduction
Chapter Two: Plot Overview
Chapter Three: Characters
Chapter Four: Complete Summary
Chapter Five: Critical Analysis