Dreaming

This book drew me in as if I were part of the story, and then I could not put it down. The book is filled with mystery, suspense, politics, history, and religion. All of this is blended into a fantastic story. This is the first book I have ever read from this author and I am going to stock my library with more of her books, especially if they are as good as this one.

Adding to everyone else's comments all I can say is that I could not put this book down. I know I am going to read this book again in the future. I recently purchased the paperback at my local second hand bookstore without any recommendations. However, now I am going to recommend this author to everyone I know.

I read this novel years ago, when the mass paperback was just in print. It just caught my eye and became one of the most rewarding surprises I've ever had in reading. I wish I could say I completely remembered the story, but I will never forget the descriptions of the Outback, the journey and the Songlines, the glimpses into the Aboriginal culture. It is an historical novel, and an athropological novel. I loaned it to a friend studying anthropology who has since moved, taking it with her! I have never forgotton the feeling of reading it, soaking it all in. The feeling rushed back fresh during this year's Olympics in Sydney. My search for my own copy brought me to this site and I felt that, after 8 or so years, I could still give it the high marks that compel me to continue my search. Find one, read it with wonderment, embrace the characters, never let it out of the house, and then read it again. I can't wait to follow my own advice!

I just finished "The Dreaming" and was really captivated by the characters and by the history and traditions of the Aborigines. I was hoping to find that she had writtena sequel as I felt that there were some issues left unresolved. Wouldn't we like to know what happens to Beth and Judd, to Pauline, does Hugh run for office, tell us more about Frank and Ivy, and Phillip and Sarah. I guess we can use our imagination as to how Joanna and Beth get back home but it would be so much fun to have Barbara Wood tell us all about it.

An Australian woman I work with recommended "The Dreaming" to me as a fun way to learn a little bit about her homeland's recent history and about how Aboriginal cuture has been affected by the white man. I could barely put this book down! It was worth ordering as an out-of-print book...my only question is, how on earth do books as rich as this fade into out-of-print status?