Welcome to Nihil Alienum: books and blogs by David Gormley-O'Brien
Spanning the Bubonic Plague in Sydney, Federation, the Depression, the building of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Cowra Breakout, Italian prisoners of war on rural farms, nurses in Japanese internment, the British Commonwealth occupation of Japan, and the long road to peace, the Becoming Australia series captures the humour, hardship, and humanity of ordinary Australians living through extraordinary times.
For readers who value meticulously researched historical fiction, An Attractive Naivety and Ashes and Sakura together form a vivid, unflinching, and ultimately hopeful account of Australia’s coming of age in the twentieth century.
Where to buy
What readers are saying
Ashes and sakuraBruceEnjoyed Ashes & Sakura.
Had a feel of authenticity of the era and an intriguing array of motivations/emotions of service personnel, families and individuals.
Economical approach - author chose not to wax lyrical about scenery, reflections and philosophical contemplation that some authors do (suits me!)
Thanks for shedding light on the little described time.
An Attractive NaivetySamantha RixonA moving multi-generational story spanning from the early to mid 1900s, with the characters experiencing some of the major milestones of the times. I cried, I laughed and learned a whole lot about Australian modern history along the way. I absolutely loved it.
Ashes and sakuraAnna HainesI really liked this way of learning about Australia's history. There is such a beauty to the characters in the book, their passions, love and tenderness. The lightness on character depth allowed me to remember that this story is actually about real events in history and real experiences and dilemmas. Meanwhile those reflections on the last page stay with me still.
Recent blog posts
Australian army nurses prisoners
In An Attractive Naivety, Armistice Darcy, a character inspired by Australian nurse, Betty Jeffrey, is one of 65 Australian army nurses evacuated from Singapore on 12 February 1942, just before its fall, on the SS Vyner Brooke. The following day, Friday the 13th, the ship was attacked by six Japanese bombers and sunk. Of those who made it to shore, 21 were savagely raped and murdered by Japanese soldiers on Radji Beach, Bangka Island.
