Cry of the Rain Bird [Paperback]

Patricia Shaw (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 4, 2007

International bestseller Patricia Shaw's captivating epic novel is published for the first time in trade paperback with a stunning new package. When Corby Morgan and his young wife Jessie set sail from England for the golden shores of Trinity Bay, they dream of an easy life in Paradise. But Providence, the sugar plantation that is to be their home, is far from what they were expecting! With superstitious labourers from the South Sea islands, Providence offers danger and excitement for Corby and his family. Mike Devlin, the Australian manager, teaches Corby how to farm sugar cane, but finds himself drawn to the gentle and intelligent Jessie. As Jessie becomes more involved in the running of Providence, her coquettish sister Sylvia pursues her own goals. And Corby proves himself to be a weak and devious man. Having survived a shocking introduction to plantation life and battled racial conflict the planters of Providence hope the worst is over. But then nature strikes a fearful blow!

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Shaw (Where the Willows Weep) delivers yet another absorbing romance/adventure yarn set in 19th-century Australia, complete with exotic locales, sexual intrigue and social tensions brought on by changing mores. When Englishman Corby Morgan determines to buy a Queensland sugar plantation, he and his quietly intelligent wife, Jessie, must turn to Jessie's father, known as "the Professor," and his flirtatious daughter, Sylvia, to close the deal. The foursome sets off to their new life on the plantation-managed by the dashing Mike Devlin-where reality, alternately harsh and pleasant, sets in. Meanwhile, counterpoint passages tell of the indentured South Sea islanders who labor on the region's plantations, particularly of one Talua, aka Joseph, son of a chief and considered by his fellow islanders to be a god. Back at the plantation, manipulative Sylvia has a mad affair with Corby during Jessie's advanced pregnancy, while further complications-criminal, financial and romantic-ensue. Heaping on the melodrama, and weaving in Talua/Joseph's troubles as the thread that binds the historico-political background to the plot, Shaw keeps the reader's interest high.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

The wild, untamed jungles of nineteenth-century Australia, mysterious murders, native superstitions and culture, and clandestine love affairs add darkness and depth to this mainstream romance novel. When English gentleman Corby Morgan and his wife, Jessie, set sail for Australia with dreams of striking it rich on a sugar plantation, they are surprised and nearly devastated by the difficulties they encounter. Problems with the aboriginal workers, several unsolved murders, a devastating storm that wreaks havoc with the sugar crop, Corby's affair with Jessie's sister, and Jessie's increasing friendship with the handsome plantation manager all combine to draw the reader into the intriguing story line. Shaw, author of three previous historical novels, delivers a satisfying love story that will be of interest to fans of the genre. Kathleen Hughes --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Headline Book Publishing (October 4, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0755335112
• ISBN-13: 978-0755335114
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,616,831 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A great introduction to this popular Australian author!, December 28, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Cry of the Rain Bird (Hardcover)

Patricia Shaw is a popular author in Australia. Her books bring colonial Queensland truly alive. I discovered her works through "Cry of the Rain Bird" and still consider it my favourite. Tropical north Queensland has a character quite different to other parts of the state, and the country. Shaw captures that difference wonderfully. Her books are rich in historical detail and provide understanding and insight into the culture of the land's original inhabitants - the local Aboriginal tribes. A fascinating, first class holiday read.