Australian author Julianne Jones’ debut novel To a Distant Land (Ark House Press, 2009) combines her love of writing with her passion to share her Christian faith. The first in a series, To A Distant Land follows the journey of three characters from the UK to colonial Australia.
To A Distant Land
Fourteen year old Katie Donovan is devastated when she is falsely accused of stealing and sentenced to seven years transportation to Australia. Samuel McKinnon, the convict transport ship’s spiritual advisor, tells her that God loves her, but Katie finds it difficult to believe in a loving God when she is being punished and exiled for a crime she didn’t commit.
Once she arrives in Australia, Katie is challenged even further as she discovers the options that are available for convict women in the colony. For a young girl, there are few opportunities to be safe or protected. In Australia Katie and Samuel meet Rhiannon and her family. Cast out by his father from the family estates, Rhiannon’s father has brought his family to Australia in search of a better life.
Despite being set in Australia’s early colonial years, To A Distant Land focuses more on the personal and emotional trials faced by the central characters than the physical difficulties and dangers of Australia’s convict era. A short author’s note at the conclusion of the novel shares some historical details of life in Australia for convicts in the 1820s, with particular reference to the experiences of women.
Christian Historical Fiction Set in the 1820s
The Christian message of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ is clearly shared throughout the novel, particularly through Samuel McKinnon and his family. While this message is obviously a focal point, it does not dominate the novel, which maintains a good balance between historical information, storyline, character development and spiritual issues.
Through very different family situations, each of the three central characters demonstrates how pivotal the role of the head of the family, social status, gender and financial security were in the freedom individuals had to influence their own future in the early 1800s. Through Katie, Samuel, Rhiannon and other peripheral characters, Jones refers to many social issues of the times including employment, education, marriage, family structure and the political difficulties faced in the UK at the time.
There are some veiled references to sexual assault and illegitimate children, in both cases associated with the actions of privileged sons forcing themselves on household staff. Samuel McKinnon also comments on the need to protect the women on the convict ship from the unwanted attentions of the ship’s crew. These references are vague and could easily be missed by younger readers, making the book suitable for readers aged 14 and over and possibly suitable for confident younger readers at parental discretion.
Julianne Jones
Born in Australia, Julianne Jones has lived in New Zealand for the past 15 years with her husband and five sons. She has a passion for writing and sharing her Christian faith through fiction. Further information about Jones' writing and Christian faith can be found at her blog, Julianne Jones - Christian Author which also includes links to her other blogs, On Eagles Wings and A Reason to Write.
To A Distant Land is Jones’ first novel. A sequel is in the planning stages and enquiries regarding a release date should be directed to the series’ publisher, Ark House Press.
Informative and Entertaining Christian Historical Fiction
With only general references to many of the physical, health and social issues faced by the early Australian settlers, To A Distant Land is more a story of human faith and endurance than a study of early colonial life. The historical details of the novel do, however, offer a fascinating setting for engaging central characters and an interesting storyline.
Jones’ writing style is intelligent and appealing. The Christian message of salvation is shared in a way that fits well with the characters and plot, never feeling clumsy or awkward as can happen in some Christian fiction.
While complete in itself, readers will be keen to find out what happens next for Katie, Samuel and Rhiannon and should look forward to the next book in this series with anticipation.
Review copy details:
To A Distant Land (ISBN: 978-1-92158-914-0, 193 pages)
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