Alison Booth's Blog

Monday, 11th August – Book launch in Canberra, The Street Theatre Foyer at 6:00PM Thursday, 21st August – Author talk at Brighton...

Look at this beauty! Thank you to everyone at Ventura Press especially the wonderful cover designer Deborah Parry Graphics. Death at...

Look at this beauty! Thank you to everyone at Ventura Press especially the wonderful cover designer Deborah Parry Graphics. Death at...

Good morning everyone, I'm thrilled to share some news with you! I've signed a contract for my next novel with the wonderful publisher Jane Curry @VenturaPress. The book is historical fiction and will be published in September 2025. Huge thanks to everyone who has encouraged me on this journey.

The photo heading this post is of part of the Abercrombie Caves, contained within the NSW Abercrombie Karst Conservation Reserve, and one of a series of limestone arch caves.

I began this novel 3 years ago and the picture reminds me of the light at the end of the tunnel after this long journey.

I’ll be posting more news about the novel - including its title once we have converged on one - in the New Year.

Radio/press Interviews for Bellevue 2023 Cambridge 705 FM: Leigh Chambers ‘Bookmark’ programme ‘The Book Show’, Talk Radio Europe. Hannah Murray https://www.talkradioeurope.com/the-book-show/ Barbie Robinson, Living Arts Canberra Blue Mountains Gazette: Interview with Tom WalkerOpinion Pieces

Culturefly UK

https://culturefly.co.uk/alison-booth-on-the-inspiration-behind-bellevue/

The Scotsman

https://www.instagram.com/p/CqeTZjePf3J/ and

https://www.instagram.com/p/CqeTyQGvlBh/

Women’s Agenda

https://womensagenda.com.au/latest/crackdowns-on-climate-protesters-should-concern-

us-all-a-new-novel-sheds-light-on-the-importance-of-community-action/

Ramona Mag

https://ramonamag.com/2023/03/why-we-still-need-community-activism/

TripFiction

https://www.tripfiction.com/talking-location-with-author-alison-booth-the-blue-

mountains/

Launch Day

‘In Conversation’ with Nicole Alexander, moderated by Caitlin Gleeson (UK, US and Australia

virtual event)

Book Party

Street Theatre Foyer, 27 April. In conversation with Frank Bongiorno, Professor of History,

ANU.

https://www.thestreet.org.au/shows/alison-booth-bellevue-book-launch

Media Reviews

Living Arts Canberra

https://www.livingartscanberra.com.au/alison-booth-bellevue/#more-15195

Peterborough Telegraph

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cp07lzPB7tm/

Canberra Times

https://ww w.canberratimes.com.au/story/8104701/an-unravelling-mystery-set-in-the-blue-

mountains/

The Riot Act: The Canberra Bookshelf:

https://the- riotact.com/the-canberra-bookshelf-nostalgic-yearning-for-things-lost-and-

found/639997

UK Bloggers Book Tour March 2023

https://www.instagram.com/p/CqCziXxL0VR/ and

https://www.instagram.com/p/CqMIwkVhVP-/

Here are cuttings from Bellevue’s book tour:

‘Rich in both character & surroundings, the author has a way with words... Grab yourself a

copy & immerse yourself down under.’ Bernie Robinson

‘This is a story of unity, and it shines with Booth's love of the heritage and beauty she feels

for her homeland. It took me right through the emotional range, with plenty to evoke

outrage and anger, as well as sentiment and joy - and all the threads tie up neatly in an

uplifting ending that has you punching the air with glee!’ Sue at Brown Flopsy’s Book

Burrow

‘With undercover corruption, greed, secrets, relationships and mystery skilfully woven into

the story … you have a beautiful tale about letting things go…There was lots to love and

enjoy and I recommend a read!’ Claire @c.isfor.claire_reads

‘This is such a beautifully written book, I instantly warmed to Clare and the friendships (now

and past) were so endearing, especially the bond between her and Hilda. I loved the setting,

the author’s descriptions really brought them to life. The book also shows the impact of

communities pulling together… A must read!’ @MrsBookburnee

‘Beautifully told…rich in Australian history… wonderful characters… I recommend

#bellevue…you will not want to put the book down.’ A Lover of Books @destinylover

‘There's a lot of heart in this book, and as Clare finds her place in Numballa, making friends

and campaigning to save the wilderness, she slowly comes back to life after years in survival

mode.’ Insta: @RamblingMads

‘Alison is an imaginative and talented writer, who creates a cast of characters that are

original and endearing…I found Bellevue to be a completely stimulating, satisfying and

visually sumptuous read and it is definitely going on my list of favourite books of 2023… .’

Twitter: @The Fallen Librarian Reviews

‘a slow burn tale of a rural community under threat & their determination to prevail &

emerge stronger, collectively & individually’.

Insta: @lingerlongerwithbooks

‘Bellevue is a multi-layered family drama … so effective in transporting the reader to

Australia and in evoking the beauty of the Blue Mountains, and… strong and interesting

characters. With several overarching themes and elements to the plot, Bellevue is a novel

that is sure to appeal to a wide variety of readers. It's perfect for those who love a family

drama as well as fans of ecofiction and mystery.’

Twitter: @shelfofunread

Australian Book Blogger Reviews

 

The Riot-Act, 5 March 2023.

In the monthly edit of The Canberra Bookshelf , Barbie Robinson writes: 'Alison Booth writes

exquisite literary fiction, astutely observing the nature and behaviour of her believable,

often flawed characters...With the all-too-familiar pairing of shonky real estate and corrupt

politicians bubbling along in the understory, the author cleverly engineers both a personal

and a social finding of self...'

‘Joe is a true delight… Once again, excellent Australian historical fiction.’

@CloggyDownUnder https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/64094772-bellevue

 

‘a powerful reminder of the power that people have when they unite. Highly

recommended.’

Jennifer Cameron Smith https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/64094772-bellevue

 

‘Rich in atmosphere, multi-layered and highly textured, [with] a compelling

storyline…[A] beautifully evocative and poignant work.’

Yvonne G. https://www.fiction-books.biz/reviews/bellevue-by-alison-booth-review/

 

‘an engaging and rewarding novel that offers a clear warning… that we must be willing to

fight corruption and greed to preserve those places that are most precious…’

Rebecca at We Need to Talk about Books:

https://weneedtotalkaboutbooks.com/2023/03/02/bellevue-by-alison-booth-a-review/

 

More reviews on social media

Prof Ann McGrath 5*

“Alison Booth takes the reader on a compelling journey where the main character finds

renewed purpose in environmental causes and a true home through friendships. Although

unnerving things happen, Booth brings a gentleness often missing in the novels I’ve read

recently.’

Kerrie Barnett 5*

“Another great read from Alison Booth. This is a skilful blend of character insight with the

intricacies of plot and occurrence. It is set against a positive background of good triumphing

over bad,… Stayed up late with this one!”

Brenda: 5*

Bellevue is another impressive novel from the pen of Aussie author Alison Booth which I

thoroughly enjoyed. Set in the Blue Mountains in NSW, Australia, I could see the

picturesque valleys with their native birds and animals, the mountains surrounding the

towns with their tinge of blue - it's a beautiful area, and Ms Booth depicted it perfectly. The

characters were well portrayed, as is usual for this author. I've enjoyed all Ms Booth's books,

and highly recommend Bellevue as another success.”

Marianne Vincent 5*

“With her gorgeous descriptive prose, Booth easily evokes her setting, the Blue Mountains

of NSW; Popular culture references and the absence of modern technology firmly cement

the era in the early 1970’s; and the theme of individuals uniting to fight insensitive

development is a universal and timeless one. Once again, excellent Australian historical

fiction.”

Cindy Spear 5*

“Alison Booth’s riveting new novel is set in the picturesque Blue Mountains of NSW.

…There’s so much to admire in this story that p

ortrays family trauma, secrets, rescue

missions and community spirit. They are all haloed by the beautiful landscape… which in

turn enhances the elements of mystery. I certainly recommend this finely polished novel

that will touch the naturalist’s caring heart.”

CJ Mason The Fallen Librarian Reviews 5*

“For me, Alison is an imaginative and talented writer, who creates a cast of characters that

are original and endearing, so much so, I completely forgot most of the time that they were

fictional, I was so invested in their lives! I relished the undulating nature of the storylines

and I found Bellevue to be a completely stimulating, satisfying and visually sumptuous read

and it is definitely going on my list of favourite books of 2023. I adored every adeptly titled

chapter, and I must insist that you read it too. Time to place a book order and build a sofa

nest, cancel your plans, and transport yourself to Bellevue in the Blue Mountains.”

For readers who belong to a book club, here are a few questions that might help kick off a lively discussion about my latest novel, Bellevue.

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1.      Who is your favourite character in Bellevue and why?

2.      Clare and Joe seem at first appearance to be unlikely friends, not least because of the age gap between them, and yet they form a bond that is important to each of them. Discuss why this occurs and whether it is believable or not. Compare and contrast the similarities and the differences between these two characters.

3.      The structure of Bellevue and its plot were designed to increase narrative tension. When reading the novel, were you aware of the various techniques the author used to achieve that? In your opinion, what technique worked best in terms of increasing narrative tension?

4.      Clare was deeply traumatised by the death of her husband Jack and the legacy he left. Do you think she should she have guessed at the truth behind this legacy before she inherited the dilapidated house Bellevue?

5.      Bellevue has themes of strong female friendships and mother-daughter relationships. How important are friendships and family to the main character, Clare?

6.      Compare and contrast two of the principal male characters, the brothers David and Jack. Consider why David initially appealed to Clare and why he was displaced by Jack.

7.      Should Clare have better understood David’s true character earlier, and factored this into her choices? Or were his weaknesses only revealed after she moved into Bellevue and became aware of his plans?

8.      Why do you think the author chose to set her novel in the early 1970s? Are the themes of Bellevue still relevant today?

 

I’m thrilled to write that the Jingera Trilogy – first published in paperback and ebooks form in 2010, 2011 and 2012, by Penguin – has just been republished in June 2023 in a number of different audio editions. They are available at all outlets stocking audio editions, as well as from the publisher, Ulverscroft UK. The trilogy is read by distinguished actress Lisa Armytage.

 

The first novel in the Jingera Trilogy is Stillwater Creek, which captures a particular time in Australian history, whenmemories of the Second World War are still relatively fresh, communism is the new fear, and social mores are still very conservative. The novel begins with the arrival, in the remote coastal town of Jingera, of a Latvian immigrant Ilona and her daughter Zidra. In 1957 many adults - even in a remote coastal town like Jingera - were still bearing the scars of the Second World War and the enormous upheaval it caused in peoples’ lives. At a time when child abuse was not explicitly on the social radar, the immigrants’ appearance in Jingera sets in motion a series of events affecting the whole township. The novel dramatizes the moral dilemma arising when a woman discovers a secret about her husband and she has to decide what action she should take.

The repercussions are many – and unexpected.

‘A mythical town and its people are brought beautifully to life... a really lovely book.’ Sunday Telegraph

'A finely observed historical drama... evocative and eminently readable.’ The Age

The second novel in the Jingera Trilogy, entitled The Indigo Sky, is set in late 1961. Again, ‘Booth uses Jingera as a microcosm for the social and political issues faced by post-war Australia. The novel addresses the removal of Aboriginal children and bullying but manages to maintain a light and hopeful tone’, Herald Sun.

The Indigo Sky interweaves the stories of Lorna, a resilient young Aboriginal woman, and Philip, a vulnerable musical prodigy. Although they are from very different backgrounds – Lorna is from a dispossessed and impoverished family, and Philip from a wealthy and privileged one – there are parallels in their experiences. Both are thrown into tough environments with institutionalized bullying. Both are cut off from their families. For Lorna, censorship precludes interaction with the outside world, while Philip’s stutter impedes communication. How each will survive – or not – is one of the main threads of the novel.

Their narratives are connected by the strong mother-and-daughter team of Ilona and Zidra, and by their friend Jim Cadwallader, the butcher’s son.

A charming, big-hearted tale, told with skill and grace.’ Madison

‘This charming follow-up... captures the heart and soul of a time... you can practically smell the eucalyptus, and picture that titular indigo sky.’ Bookseller & Publisher

‘Alison Booth’s distinctive characters live in Jingera, a small fictional town on the coast of NSW... Booth puts steel into the charm by addressing the harsher realities of the times.’ The Age

 

The final book in the trilogy is A Distant Land, set in 1971.

At the start of the novel, Jim is a respected correspondent covering the Vietnam War as it spills over into Cambodia. He’s made this choice because of his growing interest in human rights. However, he plans to return home to Australia for good, for there’s something important he wants to tell Zidra. Meanwhile Zidra is an ambitious journalist working for the Sydney Morning Chronicle. She and Lorna get caught up in different ways with the moratorium marches and ASIO’s monitoring of them. Zidra has defied gender stereotypes to become an investigative journalist. Lorna is a university student and political activist in Sydney, under the scrutiny of ASIO.

It is when Zidra spots a man she has never seen before with an expensive camera photographing Lorna during an anti-war demonstration that she begins to unravel the story that she hopes will make her journalistic career. But several unexpected events threaten her ambitions and her happiness, as well as the welfare of those she loves.

‘A Distant Land is part-thriller, part-romance, and…I found myself engrossed in the drama of Zidra’s investigation into corruption in internal security and of the aftermath of Jim’sSouth-East Asian ordeal, all the way to the final page’ The Canberra Times

I'm thrilled to write that the Jingera Trilogy – first published in paperback and ebooks form in 2010, 2011 and 2012, by Penguin – has just been republished in June 2023 in a number of different audio editions. They are available at all outlets stocking audio editions, as well as from the publisher, Ulverscroft UK. The trilogy is read by distinguished actress Lisa Armytage.

 

The first novel in the Jingera Trilogy is Stillwater Creek, which captures a particular time in Australian history, when memories of the Second World War are still relatively fresh, communism is the new fear, and social mores are still very conservative. The novel begins with the arrival, in the remote coastal town of Jingera, of a Latvian immigrant Ilona and her daughter Zidra. In 1957 many adults - even in a remote coastal town like Jingera - were still bearing the scars of the Second World War and the enormous upheaval it caused in peoples’ lives. At a time when child abuse was not explicitly on the social radar, the immigrants’ appearance in Jingera sets in motion a series of events affecting the whole township. The novel dramatizes the moral dilemma arising when a woman discovers a secret about her husband and she has to decide what action she should take.

The repercussions are many – and unexpected.

‘A mythical town and its people are brought beautifully to life... a really lovely book.’ Sunday Telegraph

'A finely observed historical drama... evocative and eminently readable.’ The Age

The second novel in the Jingera Trilogy, entitled The Indigo Sky, is set in late 1961. Again, ‘Booth uses Jingera as a microcosm for the social and political issues faced by post-war Australia. The novel addresses the removal of Aboriginal children and bullying but manages to maintain a light and hopeful tone’, Herald Sun.

The Indigo Sky interweaves the stories of Lorna, a resilient young Aboriginal woman, and Philip, a vulnerable musical prodigy. Although they are from very different backgrounds – Lorna is from a dispossessed and impoverished family, and Philip from a wealthy and privileged one – there are parallels in their experiences. Both are thrown into tough environments with institutionalized bullying. Both are cut off from their families. For Lorna, censorship precludes interaction with the outside world, while Philip’s stutter impedes communication. How each will survive – or not – is one of the main threads of the novel.

Their narratives are connected by the strong mother-and-daughter team of Ilona and Zidra, and by their friend Jim Cadwallader, the butcher’s son.

A charming, big-hearted tale, told with skill and grace.’ Madison

‘This charming follow-up... captures the heart and soul of a time... you can practically smell the eucalyptus, and picture that titular indigo sky.’ Bookseller & Publisher

‘Alison Booth’s distinctive characters live in Jingera, a small fictional town on the coast of NSW... Booth puts steel into the charm by addressing the harsher realities of the times.’ The Age

 

The final book in the trilogy is A Distant Land, part love story and part thriller, set in Jingera, Sydney and Indochina in 1971.

At the start of the novel, Jim is a respected correspondent covering the Vietnam War as it spills over into Cambodia. He’s made this choice because of his growing interest in human rights. However, he plans to return home to Australia for good, for there’s something important he wants to tell Zidra. Meanwhile Zidra is an ambitious journalist working for the Sydney Morning Chronicle. She and Lorna get caught up in different ways with the moratorium marches and ASIO’s monitoring of them. Zidra has defied gender stereotypes to become an investigative journalist. Lorna is a university student and political activist in Sydney, under the scrutiny of ASIO.

It is when Zidra spots a man she has never seen before with an expensive camera photographing Lorna during an anti-war demonstration that she begins to unravel the story that she hopes will make her journalistic career. But several unexpected events threaten her ambitions and her happiness, as well as the welfare of those she loves.

“A Distant Land expands the characters' horizons nationally and internationally, exploring the darkest themes, in the greatest depth. Through that darkness, as is the case in all of Booth's novels, there is hope that the good in us all will prevail”, The Canberra Times.

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I suppose I should count myself lucky that the supply chain crisis in the post-lockdown period did not send BELLEVUE to the bottom of the ocean, unlike a shipment of books last year that was lost at sea before reaching New York.

My only difficulties with BELLEVUE were delays. Seemingly endless delays after the stock left London. Delays that meant I had to change the launch dates for my book launches. Delays that had me fretting about whether the lovely writers – Nicole Alexander and Frank Bongiorno –who’d agreed to launch my latest book would still be free to do so.

My very busy UK publisher didn’t know where the books were. But the Australian distributor’s CEO, a very kind man, eventually gave me the tracking number for them about halfway through their sea voyage journey. Thus I was able to see that they were travelling from London through to Adelaide, and then from Adelaide up to Singapore, on to Malaysia, and then down to Brisbane and Sydney. A voyage that made me think of Mathew Flinders, and also of those tramp steamers you might read about in 19th century shipping accounts. BELLEVUE’s journey to Sydney took over four months. But at least the containers were not sent to the bottom of the sea.

However there were no books available in Australia or the US for the first launch, which was a virtual launch. We went ahead with it regardless. It was held on zoom in mid-March, and I was fortunate enough to have a historical novelist – the wonderful Nicole Alexander - launch BELLEVUE across many time zones. We had a stimulating conversation covering many issues.

The second launch was a live affair, held in Canberra at The Street on 27 April. By then there were actually books available in Australia. Paperback copies of books that had arrived at Canberra book shops only the week before. Professor Frank Bongiorno, writer and historian at the Australian National University, launched BELLEVUE with another conversation, moderated by former ABC journalist Alex Sloan. Some photographs are attached, by Dan Cusack Photography courtesy of The Street.

If you wish to hear a recording of the conversation, please click on the link.

I would like to thank all who helped BELLEVUE along its way, from the publisher to the copy-editor, from the publicist to the reviewers, and finally to the distributors, the bookshops, the librarians and the readers. Each meeting of a book with a reader is unique, drawing as it does on richly heterogeneous backgrounds and experiences. May you make lots of new friends, BELLEVUE!

Publication date: 16 March 2023

Take a strong woman who’s accumulated some unhappy experiences that she doesn’t yet understand. Let her inherit from her beloved aunt an old house called Bellevue, near a glorious Blue Mountains wilderness. Encourage her to move from Sydney to the mountains, and introduce a few developers with their sights on her land. Set her story in the early-1970s, when conservation issues and Green Bans are beginning to capture the public’s attention.

Begin writing, and discover that there’s a boy called Joe hanging about on the other side of the railway tracks waiting to be noticed. Forget him at your peril, for he’s going to worm his way into the narrative come what may. Open Bellevue’s gates to various other townsfolk who are bursting to be included. Let them all in, the good, the bad and the ugly. Mix them up and see what happens. Develop a few plot twists and a couple of family mysteries and see how they work out. When it’s all over – and the loose ends have been tied up the manuscript finished – name Clare’s story Bellevue after the house she has inherited.

Why did I write this novel? The simple answer is that it’s been simmering in my head for some years, together with the themes of environmental and conservation protection, displacement from home, seeking a safe place and caring for future generations.

When I began writing Bellevue, I knew I had to set it in a place that was dear to my heart – and a place that has been dear to four generations of my family – the Blue Mountains of New South Wales.

Just short of the Great Dividing Range that separates the coastal fringe from the fertile western plains, the Blue Mountains are a magical place, more ancient eroded plateau than mountain range. A place with glorious flora and fauna, and ancient Aboriginal paintings in caves whose location has not yet been fully mapped. A place where the terrain is so rugged that, as recently as 1994, a previously unknown and ancient tree was found, only 150 kilometres from Sydney. This tree was from an evolutionary line thought to be long extinct - the Wollemi Pine. https://www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/science/our-work-discoveries/germplasm-conservation-horticulture/wollemi-pine-conservation-program

Why set the novel in the early 1970s? I wanted to pick a time when Sydney-siders were beginning to take on the developers who were threatening historic parts of their city. My principal character would therefore have had experience of the Green Bans https://dictionaryofsydney.org/entry/green_bans_movement that were emerging in the early 1970s (and that subsequently gave their name to the term ‘greenies’).

The Greater Blue Mountains became a UNESCO World Heritage Area in 2000. But that doesn’t mean that their preservation is guaranteed.

Like the current UK government, Australian state and federal governments are criminalising peaceful environmental protests and altering the definition of lawful dissent. NSW is a leader in this regard. The NSW state government has been accused of ‘disproportionately punishing climate protesters in violation of their basic rights to peaceful protest’ according to the highly-respected International Human Rights Watch (https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/06/22/australia-climate-protesters-rights-violated )

The outcome of these legislative changes remains to be seen. But at the moment it does not look good for protesters holding out for action against climate change.