English Passengers

by Matthew Kneale | Literature & Fiction |
ISBN: 0140285210 Global Overview for this book
Registered by rem_XGD-219596 on 6/14/2005
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4 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by rem_XGD-219596 on Tuesday, June 14, 2005
I borrowed this book about a year ago from my SIL and loved it, so when I saw it in a charity shop today, decided to buy it for a ring, to start at the next Chertsey meeting.

From the back:
"Winner of the 2000 Whitbread Book of the Year"
"A book shouting with life...the interleaving of high comedy with dramatic terror is expertly handled...deserves to be welcomed into port with a riot of bunting and prizes... - Guardian"
"It is 1857 and the Reverend Geoffrey Wilson has set out for Tasmania, hoping to find the true site of the Garden of Eden. But the journey is turning out to be les than straightforward - dissent is growing between him and sinister racial-theorist Dr Potter, and, unknown to both, the ship they have hurriedly chartered is in fact a Manx smuggling vessel, fleeing British Customs. In Tasmania the aboriginal people have been fighting a desperate battle against British invaders, and, as the passengers will discover, the islnd is now far from being an earthly paradise..."

I found this to be a great read, with good suspense and many laughs, but also very informative of the situation in Tasmania at the time; the incredible strife of the aboriginal people and the sad fact that they have indeed become extinct; life in the penal colonies there, and also life on board a tallship of the time. Along with the many insights brought to light through the peculiarities of the main characters, this book really has a lot more to tell than the fictitious story that meets the eye...

Journal Entry 2 by rem_XGD-219596 on Thursday, June 16, 2005
This book is now going out on a ray! I'll first take it to the Chertsey Meet next week and see if anybody there will want to read it, and then off to the first person on the list:

- Chertsey Meet (Amanida)
- Robbiesmum
- FabClaire

Journal Entry 3 by Amanida from Chertsey, Surrey United Kingdom on Friday, June 24, 2005
I picked it up at the Chertsey Meet. Will start reading after I've finished my current book.

Journal Entry 4 by Amanida from Chertsey, Surrey United Kingdom on Monday, June 27, 2005
This was an absolutely fascinating read and I raced through it. At times it was funny, at times tragic and at times shocking (how could the British say and do what they did?)
Thanks for sharing coolboxuk, I don't think I would have read it if it wasn't for BXing.
Will be posted off to Robbiesmum shortly.

Journal Entry 5 by Robbiesmum from Thirsk, North Yorkshire United Kingdom on Thursday, June 30, 2005
This arrived today - the journals make me very excited to read it. I have another ring I'm reading first and I'm going away for a few days next week so I'll read it as soon as I get back. Thank you!

Journal Entry 6 by wingAnonymousFinderwing on Wednesday, July 8, 2009
I bought this book in a charity shop in Lancaster; disappointing in as much as I thought book crossing was meant to keep books in circulation for free. I'll do my best to liberate it soon. I hope it'll inspire someone else. My wife had already read it before we departed for our holiday to Tasmania and we went round visiting the places mentioned in the book.

CAUGHT IN LANCASTER LANCS UK

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