An interesting historical look at the building the Ghan, aboriginal treatment, the cameleers. Not the Audio book but can't find an accurate cover in Library Thing. ( )

In 1876, 16-year-old Emily McQuillan lies dying, lost in the Australian desert. When she is rescued by an Aboriginal family she becomes one of them, adapting to their way of life and learning the language before marrying and having a child. Their peaceful existence is shattered one day, and she is caught up in the massacre of her family by those who see Aboriginal Australians as little more than vermin. In 2001 Jessica Manning is an Aboriginal/Irish woman hired to negotiate between Elders and those building the Ghan railway to ensure sacred sites are preserved. Surveyor Matthew Witherton and his team must create a rail corridor on which the track will be laid. They have reached the final leg between Alice Springs and Darwin and are crossing Aboriginal land. Matt has no idea about his aboriginal heritage, but is deeply affected by a site that the railway is set to run through, which isn't known to local Aboriginal people. Are his ancestors reaching out to him from the past (his great-great-great grandparents?), can Jess help him unravel the story, and can they make a bold move of rerouting the railway? Some wonderfully strong female protagonists are featured in this book, an important story that helps to tell the sordid past of Australia and the effects that echo today as well as informing the reader about the Aboriginal race, their history and beliefs, as well as the terrible impact of colonialism upon them. Well done. ( )

Historical novel about the completion of the Ghan from Alice Springs to Darwin. I really got a feel for the area and the issues that affected those living and working on this huge project. We will be traveling on the Ghan in 2016 so it was timely to read before we go. ( )