Vivienne’s diary delves deep into the societal intricacies of the early 1900s, where the newly minted Royal Australian Navy drew its cultural moorings from the upper echelons of the Royal Navy. In 1916, a heart-wrenching tragedy shatters the façade when Vivienne, the Headmaster’s elder daughter, is believed to have taken her own life.Left in the wake of this calamity is twelve-year-old Phyllis, who grapples with grief and abandonment. With her parents emotionally absent and physically distant, she finds solace in Tally, cadet-midshipman and Vivienne’s beau. But as war calls him to Scapa Flow in 1917, Phyllis is cast adrift.In her quest for affection, Phyllis stumbles, her heart often leading her astray, until fate causes her to marry Tally, now a Lieutenant. Yet, what promises a safe harbour turns stormy with a loveless union and Tally’s deteriorating health. As Phyllis navigates a life marred by addiction and multiple marriages, her constant remains Ginnie, her ever-faithful Persian cat, who not only provides solace but also offers a unique narrative lens, weaving a tale of love, loss, and resilience.
D.M. Sadleir, OAM, is closely connected with the Royal Australian Navy and is a past Chair of ANTaR, Armidale, a local community group involved with the Anãwan Aboriginal People. The research for this book was extensive, talking over five years of searching, not only for the answer to Who the Hell is Phyllis?, but finding the correct Aboriginal place names on which the protagonists walked, including the Aboriginal servants who worked for the Wheatleys. The author’s first book, Jewels of New England, Vol 1 was published in 2017; Vol 2 will come out next year. In the meantime, NED will be launched in mid-2024, and Emma Eugenia – Bride Ship will be launched in 2025.
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2 reviews
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"Who the hell is Phyllis!” This is a beautifully crafted narrative of a period of Australian history. It explores the supposedly civilized culture of the period to reveal humanity stripped to its rawest. We explore the twists and turns of Phyllis"s life which was often foolish but also incredibly brave. The first-person narrative, with asides from Ginny, gives the book a personal warmth and lets us feel we are travelling with Phyllis through her tragic life. A very successful and emotional achievement.”
I’m blown away!
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I absolutely loved this book from start to finish! It's cleverly written, has a surprising turn of events and I could not put it down!
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