David Gormley-O'Brien: Author of Australian Historical Fiction
The Human Stories That Shaped a Nation
The Becoming Australia series explores the defining events and experiences of the first half of the twentieth century through the lives of ordinary Australians caught in extraordinary times.
From the bubonic plague to the post-war occupation of Japan, these novels bring history to life through:
- Sydney's bubonic plague outbreak and the fight to save a city on the brink
- the home front during the Great War
- the construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the vision behind it
- waterside workers struggling to survive during the Great Depression
- the Cowra Breakout and the fatal consequences of complacency
- forbidden relationships between Australian women and Italian prisoners of war
- nurses enduring hardship under Japanese internment
- moral dilemmas and shattered lives in occupied Japan after the war
An Attractive Naivety is an epic work of Australian historical fiction spanning the first half of the twentieth century. Through the lives of ordinary men and women, it traces the nation’s journey from Federation and plague to Depression, war, and uneasy peace. Interweaving fictional characters with real events, the novel explores the humour, hardship, courage and contradictions that shaped modern Australia.
Set against the remote Pacific island of Morotai and the ruins of postwar Japan at war’s end, Ashes and Sakura follows Tom Darcy, a young Australian soldier serving with the British Commonwealth occupation forces in Japan after the Second World War. As he encounters the devastation of a defeated nation and forms unexpected bonds with those on the other side of the conflict, the novel explores war, memory, love and reconciliation.
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What readers are saying
An Attractive NaivetyLisaA thoroughly enjoyable and educational read, there is no better way to learn about historical events than through the stories of people who experienced them. David has written a historically accurate and engaging account of events that have shaped our country. The way the characters lives' are intertwined and impacted throughout the novel keeps the reader engaged and enraptured (yes, I kept sneaking ahead to see what would happen). This would be a fabulous Australian history novel for students and for anyone wanting to immerse themselves into our past. If you liked A Town Like Alice...you will like this even more!
Ashes and sakuraManon BarbérisAshes and Sakura transports readers to post-war Japan and Australia, following the compelling stories of the characters first introduced in the first novel, An Attractive Naivety. Through their journeys, the reader discovers the ruins of Japan and the moral complexity of peace times. David Gormley-O’Brien once again gives us another brilliant history lesson, that I thoroughly enjoyed reading and vividly recommend!
Ashes and sakuraDeidreIt is a great read! The history is fascinating (and confronting) and the storyline compelling. I became quite attached to Tom, Misty and Evelyn, and have found myself wondering what might be next for them.
I’ve just realised that a friend’s father was part of the Occupation Force, so I’m sending him a copy — I think he’ll really enjoy it.
Thanks so much for another wonderful book.