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Overview
As a boy, Ben Beckman is sheltered from the harsh realities of life by his Aborigine mother, Diamond. She will do anything to protect him from both the bigotry of others and the mystery of his father. But Ben's carefully constructed world shatters one evening when Diamond lies dying, and the wealthy Dr. Thurwell next door refuses to treat her because of her color. Crazed with grief and lashing out at a world he never realized existed, Ben vandalizes Dr. Thurwell's mansion. This time, however, Diamond is not there to protect her son, and Ben must face the tragic consequences alone. Through the following difficult years, Ben's hatred of Dr. Thurwell grows. Becoming as wealthy and influential as the doctor does not satisfy Ben's need for revenge, so he decides to tear apart Dr. Thurwell's family just as the man destroyed his. Ben and Phoebe Thurwell, the doctor's daughter, grew up next door to each other. When they meet again as adults, Phoebe offers the hand of friendship to Ben. But Ben is still motivated by his bitter feud with her parents...Editorials
Library Journal
In another of Shaw's adventure/romances set in 19th-century Australia (following Where Willows Weep, LJ 12/94), half-caste Ben Buckman grows up in ease and wealth in Brisbane thanks to the gold his Aborigine mother, Diamond, struck on the goldfields just prior to desertion by her lover, a white cattleman. Ben knows nothing of his father or of the tribulations borne by Aborigines. But he learns all too quickly when a wealthy doctor refuses to treat Diamond as she lies dying. In retaliation, Ben breaks the windows of the doctor's house, resulting in a long, abusive jail sentence. Once freed, Ben is vengeful, but, unexpectedly, love enters his world in the form of the doctor's daughter, Phoebe. Set against the harshly exotic outback, this crisply paced family saga involves various complications, including the ruthlessness of Ben's father, while offering up a good bit of Australian and Aborigine history. Recommended for public libraries.-Terrill Persky, Woodridge P.L., Ill.Book Details
Published
May 1, 1996
Publisher
New York : St. Martin's Press, 1996.
Pages
416
Format
Hardcover
ISBN
9780312143367