Review by lexiskill -- Ironbark Hill by Jennie Linnane
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lexiskill
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Review by lexiskill -- Ironbark Hill by Jennie Linnane
[Following is a volunteer review of "Ironbark Hill" by Jennie Linnane.]
4 out of 4 stars
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A year long tale of a young girl and the plethora of struggles, fears, and secrets she encounters. Ironbark Hill by Jennie Linnane is a dark and deep coming of age story about sixteen year old Natalie Chapman. Set on her family farm, frequently referred to as Ironbark Hill, just outside of Shannondale, Australia, the reader is quickly submerged into troubles no teenager should face.
Teenage years are hardly perfect for anyone, but Linnane goes above and beyond by giving Natalie an extremely difficult sixteenth year. As one of the financial supporters of her blended family, Natalie is already experiencing scenarios daily that most don't see until later in life. Her story is hard from the beginning though, after losing her father young and then being gifted a stepfather who openly dislikes her, she pushes onward to better herself and her family.
Natalie struggles through work and life to keep her distance from her alcoholic stepfather, Alex, while also attempting to disobey him every chance she gets. After witnessing the abuse he is capable of, she attempts to protect her mother and siblings from the terrible side of Alex. While fighting this battle at home, Natalie is fighting an entirely different battle at work. As a maid for a wealthy family in town, which helps support her family, the Glovers soon play a much larger factor in her life than just employer.
The reader is quickly drawn into the intense troubles that are to follow Natalie around and that is, what I think, pulls the reader into her story. Linnane very quickly shows that this mixture of family members has never been blessed an easy hand in life but that doesn't deter them. This book is very difficult to put down, easy to read, and very well edited. It is clear to the reader that this book has been read many times, with a fine tooth comb to clear out any errors. For these reasons, along with the lessons the characters learn throughout the novel, I confidently rate this book a 4 out of 4 stars.
At the beginning of Ironbark Hill I thought it would be good for young adults and above, but after completion of this novel I have decided against this. Linnane is a wonderful writer and with that can come descriptive scenes that are not suitable for young readers. With that being said, between language, physical abuse, and sexual scenes I would advise any potential reader to read a review, see the cautions and read accordingly. Overall, this is a wonderful novel that covers many sensitive topics in so few pages.
******
Ironbark Hill
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4 out of 4 stars
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A year long tale of a young girl and the plethora of struggles, fears, and secrets she encounters. Ironbark Hill by Jennie Linnane is a dark and deep coming of age story about sixteen year old Natalie Chapman. Set on her family farm, frequently referred to as Ironbark Hill, just outside of Shannondale, Australia, the reader is quickly submerged into troubles no teenager should face.
Teenage years are hardly perfect for anyone, but Linnane goes above and beyond by giving Natalie an extremely difficult sixteenth year. As one of the financial supporters of her blended family, Natalie is already experiencing scenarios daily that most don't see until later in life. Her story is hard from the beginning though, after losing her father young and then being gifted a stepfather who openly dislikes her, she pushes onward to better herself and her family.
Natalie struggles through work and life to keep her distance from her alcoholic stepfather, Alex, while also attempting to disobey him every chance she gets. After witnessing the abuse he is capable of, she attempts to protect her mother and siblings from the terrible side of Alex. While fighting this battle at home, Natalie is fighting an entirely different battle at work. As a maid for a wealthy family in town, which helps support her family, the Glovers soon play a much larger factor in her life than just employer.
The reader is quickly drawn into the intense troubles that are to follow Natalie around and that is, what I think, pulls the reader into her story. Linnane very quickly shows that this mixture of family members has never been blessed an easy hand in life but that doesn't deter them. This book is very difficult to put down, easy to read, and very well edited. It is clear to the reader that this book has been read many times, with a fine tooth comb to clear out any errors. For these reasons, along with the lessons the characters learn throughout the novel, I confidently rate this book a 4 out of 4 stars.
At the beginning of Ironbark Hill I thought it would be good for young adults and above, but after completion of this novel I have decided against this. Linnane is a wonderful writer and with that can come descriptive scenes that are not suitable for young readers. With that being said, between language, physical abuse, and sexual scenes I would advise any potential reader to read a review, see the cautions and read accordingly. Overall, this is a wonderful novel that covers many sensitive topics in so few pages.
******
Ironbark Hill
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Like lexiskill's review? Post a comment saying so!
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Fozia-Bajwa
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Natalie is a protagonist in this story which has been reviewed by Lexiskill. The character of Natalie is a role model for the teenagers of society because her life has been served for the purpose of saving the humanity. she tried her best to save her siblings and her mother from the bad character of Alex who is her stepfather and is alccoholist.
Latest Review: McDowell by William H. Coles
