AustLit

'What an enthralling tale of early colonial life! I enjoyed this novel by Adrian Mitchell which is based on the paintings and sketches of artist, Samuel Thomas Gill. Mitchell's character, Ethan Dibble, fictionally 'represents' Gill, and the novel takes shape through Dibble's journal, fleshing out the period of development between the early years of European settlement in Adelaide about 1839 and the death of Ned Kelly in Melbourne in 1880. In addition to this personal 'eye-witness' account of history, the bonus for me was a familiarisation with some of Gill's works, to which previously I had not given much attention. A relevant image from Gill's collected works comprises the page beginning each chapter.'  (Introduction)

'Arguably Australia's most well-known exploration journey, that of Burke and Wills, is the subject of this attractive book in which Cathcart depicts William John Wills as the under-appreciated brains of the expedition. Based on Wills' diary, the book's eye-catching layout makes it a pleasure both to read and to hold. Over 130 colourful images, including 16 double-page spreads, complement Cathcart's insightful interpretation of Wills' pencilled and detailed notes.'  (Introduction)