Queensland, Australia 1936Sister Claire McAuliffe has been called from Dungarvan, County Waterford, to do God’s work in Jumaaroo, Queensland. Along with four other sisters she is charged with setting up a Catholic school for the education of the gold rush families. But life between the tropical Australian rainforest and azure ocean is far from the spectacular paradise it seems. Sister Claire …
Sister Claire finds life challenging in more ways than she can count, the heat, the terrifying creatures that lurk in every nook and cranny, the crocodiles and snakes, but far more worrying is the constant presence of the much loved mayor of Jumaaroo, Joseph McGrath. Why does a person so respected give Claire such cause for concern?
Is it the cruel way he speaks about the Aboriginal people who live on the mission? A closed community run by a peculiar religious leader who seems to deeply resent the arrival of the nuns? As Claire learns of the manner in which the Bundagulgi are treated, she is forced to act, but nobody wants to upset the status quo, and a meddlesome nun suddenly is a dangerous one.
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Sisters of the Southern Cross is a very good book. However I found it difficult to read at times as it is set at the shameful time in Australian history that is still rife with discrimination and brutality.
Sister Claire is wonderful and I love her refusal to be anything other than who she is with her gentle ways with backbone of metal. There are also some other really great characters that bring the story alive, sometimes so realistically it made me cry and the ending is terrific. Jean Grainger has once again made me reflect whilst delivering a wonderful book. I definitely recommend it.
A surprisingly different type of story from this author but she couldn’t hide her talent behind a different location. She still writes in such away that the reader is pulled into the story by the location, the characters and the feeling they are part of the story. This maybe the beginning of a new interesting series which will shoot right to the top of the best sellers list.
My daughter got this for me and I loved it! I want more by Jean Grainger!!
A most interesting story!! One book I read and I’m hooked, wanting more!
This book was definitely a change of pace for Jean Grainger. It isn’t like anything she has previously written. Set in Australia rather than her usual Ireland, we are introduced to a totally different group of people, culture, setting, and way of life. I am a huge Jean Grainger fan however, unfortunately, this one in my opinion isn’t as engaging as her previous ones have been. If you’ve never read anything previously from this author well you’re in for a really enjoyable adventure. Then, when your’e through, have a go at what else she has to offer. You shan’t be disappointed.
Sisters of the Southern Cross is another fascinating tale from Jean Grainger. Ms. Grainger knows how to keep the reader engaged. In this riveting tale, the reader is treated to the fascinating world of 1930s Australia. I was moved to both tears and laughter. The characters, the history, and the land are all so well developed in this well crafted book. This is truly an exceptional work that just kept me reading.
Jean Grainger has done it again! Brilliant book, wonderful characters and heart warming story. One of her best yet.
An adventurous story.
Sister of the Southern Cross immersed me into the very hot, wild and sometimes scary bush of Australia. The plethora of loud birds, spiders, snakes and many more dangerous animals! It takes you on the bumpy ride Sister Claire had to endure during her start at the school where she is principal.
There is never a dull moment for her and she takes it all in stride!
The author went on holiday to Australia, visited a museum in an old convent where she found some long-forgotten taped interviews with nuns who had served there, and that sparked her imagination. The wonderful result was Sisters of the Southern Cross, another well-written, fast-moving novel from one of my favorite authors.
Once again, Jean Grainger has written a thoroughly enjoyable book. Her characters become old friends (or annoyingly horrible neighbors). This time, she has chosen Australia as her setting. It’s a story of nuns setting up a new school in a town owned (and run) by a despicable man. She has incorporated into the story how cruelly indigenous people have been treated and abused. You get the point, but are still left with an uplifting ending. I HIGHLY recommend this book and everything written by this author. I give her writing 10 STARS!
I first read one of Jean Grainger’s books after a 2016 trip to Ireland. I started with So Much Owed to learn a bit more about Irish history. Now I have read all of her books. I received an ARC of Sisters of the Southern Cross, but the comments are purely my own. This book is a departure from Jean’s previous books that have been set in Ireland. This one combines historical fiction about the nuns who brought education to rural Australia, the reality of imperial colonialism, and a bit of mystery. It is obvious that Jean has done the research needed to set a novel outside of her native Ireland. The characters are so well described that they generate emotion—care, concern, and even disgust. The overarching theme that we are more alike than different and our world would be better if we treated each other with care and respect is an important message today.
Jean Grainger is a multi-talented author. Her books include historical fiction and contemporary fiction. The one thing they always had in common was that they were set in Ireland. Sisters of the Southern Cross is not set in Ireland. Although the sisters are from Ireland, this book is set in Australia. Jean shows her vast research capabilities in this story of the nuns who come to Australia to start a school. You will fall in love with Sister Claire, the principal, whose compassion and leadership endears her to many and alienates as many more. Then there’s Sister Helen, Sister Mary, Sister Teresita and the big bad wolf, Sister Gerard. Believe me, you will laugh, you will cry, you will even hold your breath due to the suspense. There is so much to this story, Jean has outdone herself. This may be her best book yet.
Sisters of the Southern Cross is a wonderful tale. It tells the story of a group of determined nuns, guided above all by the goodness of their hearts and love of their fellow man, beyond all bias. Based on true events, there are many twists and surprises making a wonderful, informative and satisfying read.