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'The sights and sounds of Sydney and Parramatta in the days of Governor Macquarie, when red-coated soldiers still went marching up and down the roads, and when convict labour still supplied the wants of the community in the matter of building those roads, have been vividly recreated by Alexander Skene, whose novel, "The Parramatta Road," begins publication in the "Herald" to-morrow. Mr Skene has strengthened the atmosphere of the period by retaining the stiff, rather courtly measure of speech which its people affected—or, at any rate, which the literature of that day suggests they affected. The military officers in their trim, bright uniforms have an air about them. Their characters are not complicated. They are figures in a pageant, painted with clear, untroubled colours. Sometimes the colours are gay and sometimes (when dealing with the dreariness of the convict life) they are sombre; but always their effect is simple, for Sydney as that time was simple in its pleasures, as it was simple in its loves and hates. Choir practice played a serious part in the social activities of Parramatta. A swimming race in the river called forth most of the population to see it. An expedition leaving to explore the north-west was bidden farewell by Governor Macquarie in person in the presence of a huge concourse. The author provides one or two fleeting glimpses of the great Governor; but Macquarie makes no dominating entrance into the story. The love interest as usual in such genial romances, has been well sustained .Hero and villain play their part in conflict for the heroine's hand, but both remain human, credible figures.'
The Sydney Morning Herald, 27 April 1933, p5
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