The Queensland Chronicles

The Heart of Thornton Creek

by Bonnie Leon

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From Boston to the outback, the freedom she wanted wasn't easy to find. Growing up in the late 1800's Boston, Rebecca Williams was raised to be independent, adventurous, strong willed, and capable. But when she leaves the stylish streets of her beloved hometown to follow her new husband to his native Queensland, she soon discovers that the same qualities that earned her respect among her friends and family in Boston don't mix with the way of life in the arid back country of Australia. Though wary of her new surroundings, which seem so foreign to the life she once knew and loved, Rebecca is determined to make a go of it - and earn the respect of her new father-in-law at the same time. But this seemingly simple task turns out to be much more difficult than she could ever expect. Seeking only acceptance for who she is and the freedom to be that person, Rebecca finds her relationship with her new husband challenged and her faith tested. As conflict simmers in the heat of Australia's rugged bush, young Rebecca can only pray for courage to endure and faith to love - against all odds. Can Rebecca adjust to her unfamiliar surroundings? Can she learn to love her new husband and family? Or will her determination and independence lead her to devastating loss? (c) Back Cover, The Heart of Thornton Creek, Revell, 2005

Set in the dry, dusty heat of outback Australia, The Heart of Thornton Creek by Bonnie Leon was the perfect antidote to the whirling snow of the January blizzard raging outside. This is the first book in The Queensland Chronicles and after reading this first, and the excerpt from book 2 (coming in May 2005), I am anxious to read the sequel!

I am certain you will find the story line interesting and the characters well-developed. You will travel along on the adventure of a life time as Rebecca makes a marriage of convenience to a handsome Australian and travels across the waters to his home. While she finds the voyage exhausting and uncomfortable, it is in essence, a preparation for an uncomfortable life in the barren and dangerous outback. While she finds the station to be confining with it's harsh land and dangerous spiders and snakes, her father-in-law's controlling manners are far more restrictive than she is able to endure.

I was glad to encounter such a strong female lead character in Rebecca. Although she is often headstrong and foolish, her desire for freedom echoes somewhere deep inside of me. She isn't desirous of the freedom only for herself, but for all people. Set in the late 1800's, she longs for the emancipation of all people; from the black people in the States to the black people in Australia, and is feeling the movement toward equality far before the lawmakers of the time were.

While I found the main character very strong, I was a bit disappointed in her husband, Daniel. He did not seem to be equal in backbone and strength and I found myself giving up on him through the middle of the novel, certain he would never stand up to his father. Daniel's mother, Willa, was a puzzle at times, too. She seemed to epitomize the traditional wife who gave in to her husband's wishes and commands because it was the way things were done. Although obviously angry and disagreeing with his opinions on some issues, she seldom stood up to him because it was her place to obey. Yet, she also radiated peace and kindness, acceptance and unconditional love. My feminist side cries out, "How could this be?!" while my Christian side chides me with "she's a true example of a Christian wife." Perhaps, the answer is somewhere in between.

I also enjoyed the characters of Jim and Callie although I hope to see both of these characters developed more in future novels. I would also like to see the character of Cambria developed more.

I thought that the underlying themes of the story were very well done. I liked the suggestion that a Christian can be wrapped up in "book knowledge" and yet not know the Saviour himself. I find that can be so true. I liked the assertion that God can do all things - even provide love towards someone who is difficult to love. Above all, I liked the lesson that even though Rebecca's father-in-law learned the lesson of Christ's love late in life, his life and relationships would have been so much more fulfilling if he learned the lesson sooner. That's a lesson to all of us.

Bravo, Bonnie Leon! A delightful australian story. I can't wait for book two!