‘Manganinnie’  by Beth Roberts is a mesmerizing historical fiction novel that will transport the readers into the bygone era. It is set in 1830s Tasmania, exploring the theme of love, resilience and the bond between two unlikely companions.

Beth Roberts unfolds her masterpiece against the backdrop of Tasmania’s troubled past, a time when white colonists were looking to relocate or eliminate the original inhabitants of this island territory south  of the Australian mainland. The story revolves around an elderly Aboriginal or. Palawa woman. She finds herself alone and  begins a solitary search to find her lost kin, who vanished after a raid by the white settlers.

The author has done a splendid job of creating a story full of suspense and unexpected twists. As fate takes an unexpected turn, Manganinnie receives a special gift from Droemerdeene, the great ancestral spirit – a small white girl named Jo Jo, whose hair resembles the sacred red ochre known as Ballawinnie. With its richly drawn characters and compelling storytelling, the novel promises to captivate readers from beginning to end.

As the story proceeds, Manganinnie rescues Jo Jo after she wanders away from her brothers during the afternoon. This sets the motion for the story as an unexpected and transformative journey begins – Manganinnie becomes Jo Jo’s chosen teacher sharing her people’s knowledge and the customs of the land.