Gosh, I really like this. The other reviews can speak to the novel's provenance, but it's fantastic to read a novel written by Australian women in the 1920s, reflecting on the 19th century. It's a fantastic soap opera, densely packed with taut character studies and some delicious synonym. What's more, as an analysis of the mindsets held by the early Australian settlers, it can't be beat. The odious William, with his desire to make Australia a "little England", is impressive in his vile nature, and I only hope Barnard and Eldershaw fully understood this. ( )

A disappointment. Please see my review at https://anzlitlovers.com/2022/10/31/a-house-is-built-by-m-barnard-eldershaw/ ( )