Historical/Fantasy Fiction
Published:
October 2018
October 2018
Publisher: Xlibris
Along the Waterways is book two of the Dreamtime Mysteries trilogy. Anthropology student, Rex Graham, is presented with a second set of ancestral paintings encoded with clues about the forgotten legends that formed the Dreamtime legends of his people. Rex revisits a sacred tree in his native territory: the resting place of his deceased grandmother, where the atmosphere of the bush has a hypnotic effect on his mind. After falling asleep, the bush springs to life and ‘Gran Yan’ shares more history with the Australian bush about a bygone era of indigenous peoples: their journeys, adventures, social gatherings and way of life.
The Booran people, territorial owners of the region, returned to their homeland many generations after journeying to the desert in the wake of catastrophic wild-fires, guided by their migrating bird totem, the pelican.
Following their return to Yaraan Grove, the first-born child was named after the great eagle, Mullawaa that guided them home. The boy proved gifted beyond the people’s understanding, and his innovative projects proved unacceptable to their tradition-bound culture. Fearing the youth would anger their earth-mother and punish them with more droughts, they called upon Mullawanda to utilize inventive gifts to rediscover lost skills due to their time spent in the desert, and concentrate on practical needs such as boat-building. Defying the elders, the youthful adventurer landed himself in unexpected situations and encounters with some unique communities.
Some unsolved mysteries that were raised in book one unfold, as Gran Yan shares the stories. Action,
suspense, intrigue and a dabble of romance add flavour to the story, along with the unique inclusion of illustrations created by the author, together with her front and back cover paintings.
suspense, intrigue and a dabble of romance add flavour to the story, along with the unique inclusion of illustrations created by the author, together with her front and back cover paintings.
The book is divided into seven parts and includes a glossary of indigenous languages, index of characters and their tribal groups, plus a bibliography of cultural research.
Other
Books in the Dreamtime Mysteries series:
Books in the Dreamtime Mysteries series:
Native Companions: Dreamtime Mysteries
Publisher: Xlibris
Published: August 2018
Rex Graham, a part-Aboriginal student of anthropology, is searching for his own indigenous ancestral history: customs, language and dreamtime legends. Due to a lifetime bond to his Aboriginal grandmother, he is enlightened after her passing, when he discoverers the key to his lost people’s history and traditional history: preserved in artwork bequeathed to him on her deathbed. Driven by a passion to learn the truth about the simplistic drawings, the legends unfold as epic mythology: filled with adventure, drama and a wealth of traditional Aboriginal survival and culture.
Barnett captures the strong bond the Booran people have with nature—how they lived off and with the land, communicating with it, respecting it, learning from it. Like any good collection of myths, there is also the educational aspect of these tales. Readers will learn about the spirits the Booran people believe in, manhood initiation ceremonies, and other cultural practices such as communication rules and skin signs with other tribes. Blending a fictional premise with well-researched legends, this book is a great starter read for those interesting in learning more about Aboriginal stories, and includes a glossary of mixed aboriginal language, index of communities and bibliography at the end of the story.
About the Author
Jenni Barnett was born and raised in South Australia. During her college education at Glenelg, the author developed an interest in archaeology and indigenous societies. Further to an extensive nursing career, Jennifer embarked on studies in traditional medicine with which she is still involved.
As a registered Traditional Western and Chinese Medicine practitioner, the author has done considerable research into early indigenous cultures. While enjoying creative writing and drawing, she decided to combine the two art forms and incorporate them in a traditional, pre-European setting.
During her youth, Jenni spent considerable time working in remote regions of Central Australia, where she learned about many aspects of Aboriginal culture. She developed a respect for certain Aboriginal people of the time, whom were still practising certain traditional ways of living, including bush foods and medicines as well as arts and crafts.
The author is particularly fascinated by the ability of Australian indigenous bush-men to access a higher sense, or instinct. Their survival skills in remote regions of Australia where early pioneers often perished are emphasized in her writing.
As a semi-retired traditional medicine practitioner, Jenni resides with her husband in Queensland Coastal region, dividing her time between writing, sketching and her health practice. Along with her husband she has spent countless hours establishing a bird friendly environment by cultivating native plants and an eco-friendly environment.
I would like to thank Reading Addiction Virtual Book Tours and PR for the opportunity to share these books.
jbronderbookreviews 