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
Ashes and sakuraBruce MildenhallEnjoyed 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.