Reviews and commentary
Below are a selection of reviews and critical essays on The Secret River of varying reading levels. The first two reviews will engage you with challenging vocabulary and ideas but provide an indepth review of the novel.
REVIEWS
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The Sydney Review of Books - Grenville on the FrontierThis extensive review first discusses Australia's history and past literature before delving into The Secret River.
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The Guardian - Colliding Cultures"Kate Grenville draws on Australia's brutal history to provide an intriguing background for The Secret River, says Jem Poster."
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The first Tuesday book clubThis page provides an overview of the discussion on The Secret River and includes video of the original episode.
COMMENTARY
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The conversation - The Secret River, silences and our nation’s historyThis review of the theatre adaptation also explores the novel, its themes and Grenville's context.
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The conversation - historians and novelists fight turf warsThis opinion article discusses the debate over historical events and people being depicted in fiction, and specifically addresses The Secret River.
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Finding the Secret River: Mapping a Composite Narrative of The Secret River and Searching for the Secret RiverThis is a thesis submitted for a Masters degree for the University of Tasmania. It will be challenging read but provides a deep insight into this novel and Grenville's non-fiction work on the same topic.
- Christ Church Grammar School
- LibGuides
- Year 11 ATAR English: The Secret River
- REVIEWS AND COMMENTARY