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The Inaugural Meeting of the Fairvale Ladies Book Club Kindle Edition

by Sophie Green (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.0 4.0 out of 5 stars 1,347 ratings
See all formats and editions

***THE TOP TEN AUSTRALIAN BESTSELLER***

'The perfect novel to curl up with on a cosy night in' Hello

'The story of these resilient women is tender and intimate . . . As heartwarming, fulfilling and Australian as a lamb roast and full-bodied shiraz' Australian Women's Weekly

LONGLISTED FOR THE INDIE BOOK AWARD FOR DEBUT FICTION 2018
SHORTLISTED FOR THE AUSTRALIAN BOOK INDUSTRY AWARDS 2018: General Fiction Book of the Year and
LONGLISTED FOR THE AUSTRALIAN BOOK INDUSTRY AWARDS 2018: Matt Richell Award for New Writer of the Year

Books bring them together - but friendship will transform all of their lives. An epic saga of five very different women who come together in the Northern Territory of the 1970s.

In 1978 the Northern Territory has begun to self-govern. Cyclone Tracy is a recent memory and telephones not yet a fixture on the cattle stations dominating the rugged outback. Life is hard and people are isolated. But they find ways to connect.

Sybil, the matriarch of Fairvale Station, run by her husband, Joe, misses her eldest son, Lachlan. It is up to their second son, Ben, to take his brother's place, while Kate, Sybil's English daughter-in-law, is thousands of miles away from home and finding it difficult to adjust to life at Fairvale.

Rita, Sybil's oldest friend, is now living in Alice Springs and working for the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

Sallyanne, mother of three, dreams of a life far removed from the dusty town of Katherine where she lives with her difficult husband.

And Della, who left Texas for Australia looking for adventure and work on the land, needs some purpose in her life.

Sybil comes up with a way to give them all companionship: they all love to read, and she starts a book club.

If you loved The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society, The Little Coffee Shop of Kabul and The Little Paris Bookshop, you will devour this story of five different women united by one need: to overcome the vast distances of Australia's Top End with friendship, tears, laughter, books and love.

'An absolute gem of a novel, with the most evocative sense of place . . . A definite treat for any book club' BETTER READING

'This close-knit Australian saga has rightly earned comparisons to THE THORN BIRDS' iBOOKS EDITOR

'A delightful novel... Sophie Green's beautiful mingling of the book club members' lives down through the years is a testament to her clever storytelling... She provides vivid descriptions of both the triumphs and hardships of life in the outback so readers can empathise with all the joys and heartaches experienced by each one' STARTS AT SIXTY

**Includes bonus extract from Sophie's heartwarming new novel Thursdays at Orange Blossom House**

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  1. Print length
    433 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    Hachette Australia
  5. Publication date
    August 8, 2017
  6. File size
    1395 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

Sophie Green has created a world that's as heartwarming, fulfilling and Australian as a lamb roast and full-bodied shiraz.―Australian Women's Weekly

an absolute gem of a novel, with the most evocative sense of place . . . A definite treat for any book club.―Better Reading

This close-knit Australian saga has rightly earned comparisons to THE THORN BIRDS. Green draws out a robust range of emotions as each character struggles with her own set of frustrations and her personal relationship with a tough landscape that's still being tamed.―iBooks Editor

The book club's reading list will remind readers of the power that contemporary fiction can have in people's lives.―Books+Publishing

A plucky group of women gather together to help each other through the tough times . . . This touching tale set in a familiar landscape is an ode to [the author's] love of the place and its people.―Sunday Territorian

I don't want to give too much away, just that this is a fabulous read with a cast of amazing characters that I highly recommend. It is moving and shows so much emotion there were tears and smiles. There is joy and yes there is heartache, but that is to be expected in life, and Ms Green has done it so well. There is an ending that will leave you smiling, seeing characters get their HEA, and leave you with hope for others. I loved this one. Thank you. It is one that will stay with me for a long time to come.―Family Saga blogspot

The power in this [book] is the way gender and race expectations are turned on their head, and the few that act superior based on race or gender, or both, are called out, but the hurt is still there, the scars are still there.―The Book Muse

Recommended for readers that enjoy modern fiction.―Goulburn Library

I loved this book. The characters were well drawn, the descriptions beautifully wrought, and the plot was well-paced. This is a wonderful story of 5 women who are drawn to one another for friendship and books. I laughed and cried and felt like I had made new friends in Australia's North Territory―Netgalley (Librarian)

provides vivid descriptions of both the triumphs and hardships of life in the outback so readers can empathise with all the joys and heartaches experienced by each one.―Starts at Sixty

I thoroughly enjoyed this story and would recommend it to others as it does not end when the last page is read since the reader is inspired to find out more about the other books mentioned and some of the news items alluded to in its pages.―Queensland Reviewers Collective

An emotional and satisfying read, I'd be delighted to belong to the Fairvale Ladies Book Club!―The Book Date

Audiobook review and paperback giveaway.―Australian Country

beautifully written with excellent language usage and imagery―Netgalley

Sophie Green has written a book that is so descriptive you can almost picture everything as you read the words. A definite 5* read and one I thoroughly recommend―Goodreads

This is an absolutely delightful read. As we meet the five main female characters, we feel like we've made new friends―chicklitclub Blog

I honestly loved this book and I think everyone should read it. The setting was amazing, the writing was beautiful and the characters were real and relatable. If you are looking for a book that will captivate you and transport you to another time and place, Fairvale Ladies Book Club is the book for you.―Gem's Book Nook (blog)

heartwarming novel is set primarily at Fairvale Station in the Northern Territory in the late 1970s.―City Messanger

Green takes each of the women in the story on a journey. Each has their own (but intertwined) story arc and - although most end happily - not all do and we're reminded that life takes unexpected turns.―Debbish.com

About the Author

Sophie Green is an author and publisher who lives in Sydney. She has written several fiction and non-fiction books, some under other names. In her spare time she writes about country music on her blog, Jolene. She grew up by the water in Sydney and will holiday by the ocean in preference to anywhere else. THE INAUGURAL MEETING OF THE FAIRVALE LADIES BOOK CLUB, a Top Ten bestseller, was shortlisted for the Australian Book Industry Awards for General Fiction Book of the Year 2018, longlisted for the Matt Richell Award for New Writer of the Year and longlisted for the Indie Book Award for Debut Fiction 2018.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B06XFQCNJD
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Hachette Australia (August 8, 2017)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 8, 2017
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1395 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 433 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.0 4.0 out of 5 stars 1,347 ratings

About the author

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Sophie Green

Sophie Green

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Sophie Green is an author and publisher who lives in Sydney. She has written several fiction and non-fiction books, some under other names. In her spare time she writes about country music on her blog, Jolene. She grew up by the water in Sydney and will holiday by the ocean in preference to anywhere else. Sophie's debut novel, THE INAUGURAL MEETING OF THE FAIRVALE LADIES BOOK CLUB, a Top Ten bestseller, was shortlisted for the Australian Book Industry Awards for General Fiction Book of the Year 2018, longlisted for the Matt Richell Award for New Writer of the Year 2018 and longlisted for the Indie Book Award for Debut Fiction 2018.

Customer reviews

4 out of 5 stars
4 out of 5
1,347 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

C.A. Larmer
5.0 out of 5 stars Rich friendships, galloping pace
Reviewed in the United States on September 3, 2017
Verified Purchase
What a delightful read! The story of five women searching for friendship and meaning in a harsher time and place, it took me back to my own holidays on country friends' farms—the long journey there, the hearty meals and the camaraderie that exists on those remote places. Largely set on an isolated cattle farm in the rugged Northern Territory, it explores the women's lives between occasional book clubs and while it discusses a variety of famous novels, it's really THEIR stories that captivate and keep you coming back. A true celebration of women and enduring friendship, it serves as a template for us all. A galloping pace, rich characters and a lovely sense of place.
3 people found this helpful
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DP
4.0 out of 5 stars Good Book. But Overpriced
Reviewed in the United States on September 21, 2022
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Overpriced
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Amazon Customer
3.0 out of 5 stars easy read. Will transfer to a mini series/movie easily ...
Reviewed in the United States on October 9, 2017
Verified Purchase
Found this a little 'lightweight'. Pleasant story, easy read. Will transfer to a mini series/movie easily if someone picks it up
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Carolien S
5.0 out of 5 stars A remote setting, friendships and books
Reviewed in the United States on December 19, 2021
Verified Purchase
Five women from very different circumstances meet in the Northern Territory. Sybil and Rita have been friends for years despite one living on a remote station outside Katherine and the other a nurse, first in Sydney now in Alice Springs. They meet Sallyanne, a young mother in town, Della from Texas working on the neighbouring station and Kate, Sybil's English daughter-in-law who is newly arrived at the station. In order to bring some younger company to the station for Kate, Sybil starts a book club which meets twice a year during the dry season. Over the next few years, the ladies share laughter and tragedy in this remote setting. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting the ladies and look forward to reading more by this author.
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Veronica J.
4.0 out of 5 stars Book club
Reviewed in the United States on December 29, 2017
Verified Purchase
A vivid description of life in outback Australia and the subtle references to the stereo types of the day. Great read.
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Karen W
5.0 out of 5 stars Good read
Reviewed in the United States on April 29, 2019
Verified Purchase
Heartwarming and charming. Recommend to all ladies—especially book clubs. Will show how a book club can change the lives of its members.
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JB
4.0 out of 5 stars The Inaugural Meeting of the Fairvale Ladies Book Club
Reviewed in the United States on May 1, 2018
Verified Purchase
This fascinating description of life on a cattle station in the Northwest Territory of Australia holds the reader from the first page to the last. This is one of the books where I said ‘Oh no’ when I realized I-had read the last page. A large cattle ranch like this one makes a wonderful background to the stories about the people living there. Armchair travel in books is great!
One person found this helpful
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Marilyn Sneddon
3.0 out of 5 stars It was easy to read and some of the characters were engaging ...
Reviewed in the United States on June 6, 2018
Verified Purchase
This was an interesting take on living in the Australian outback. It was easy to read and some of the characters were engaging but it was all a bit beyond belief, although it is, of course, fiction. it just seemed too neat for some reason. Sophie Green writes well in a very easy to read style. The descriptions of the country are really good and easy to imagine
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Top reviews from other countries

Circlestones Books Blog
5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable, gripping and interesting
Reviewed in Germany on June 16, 2019
Verified Purchase
“Kate smiled brightly at Sallyanne and Sybil felt something click inside her: she would like to think it was the sound of things shifting into place but perhaps it was merely relief.” (Quotation pos. 833)

Content
In 1978, Sybil Baxter is fifty-one years old, married to Joe and since twenty-six years lives on Fairvale, in Australia’s Northern Territory, a remote vastness with difficult climate conditions. Her new book club brings together five very different women: herself, her British daughter-in-law Kate, her old friend Rita, nurse and member of the Flying Doctors, Sallyanne, mother of three children and Della from Texas, doing a man’s job just to feel free. They soon learn that their group is much more than just books, its female friendship and helping each other through difficult times.

Theme and genre
A brilliant novel about friendship and the strength of women under adverse conditions and in a rough environment in the late seventies and early eighties. It is also about changes and the possibilities life could offer. Important topics are books and Australia’s North.

Characters
Every single main character is well described, individual, authentic with edges and contours, and definitely loveable. In these few years they have to cope with decisions and changes, new developments, not always voluntarily chosen.

Plot and writing
Each year starts with a summary of international events happened during the year. The life of the five female protagonists is told chronologically with memories and flashbacks. There are chapters and each is mainly focusing on one of the main characters, on more only if they meet. The story is gripping and the descriptions of the rural life and the beautiful but rough environment are very well researched, detailed and the perfect, interesting addition to the story. The books read by the Fairvale Book Club invite to further backlist reading about the topic.

Conclusion
An enjoyable, gripping read with loveable characters and captivating descriptions of the landscape and lifestyles marked by nature and the different seasons. At the end of the story it feals like leaving well-known friends.
2 people found this helpful
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My first doll
5.0 out of 5 stars Wife's must read gift
Reviewed in Australia on December 18, 2023
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Loves it really great book
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saucey sue
5.0 out of 5 stars A bookclub & so much more.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 14, 2018
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What a delightful read. The pages turned into chapters & then it wasn't put down until completed with great admiration for this author who weaves a story of loveable characters, both sexes included. To cover all walks of life was believable & real. It was lovely to read for a change the gently introduced issues of relationships set in the outback all poised around a book club. I will most certainly be looking forward to more from this author but this will be a hard act to follow. Enjoy.
5 people found this helpful
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HP1485
4.0 out of 5 stars Heartwarming tale of emerging friendships
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 23, 2020
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This is a lovely story set in the Australian outback where friendships are forged through a book club set up by a lady whose trying to make the life of her new English daughter-in-law bearable. Each member of the group has their own story to tell and as the book club meetings progress another story unfolds. Beautifully written with an unexpected ending.
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Helen Eckersley
4.0 out of 5 stars The Outback Women
Reviewed in Australia on October 1, 2019
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This was a fascinating book set on a outback cattle station, Fairvale, near Katherine in the Northern Territory of Australia and five women and their stories. Sybil who is runs the station with her husband and son, starts a Ladies Book Club to help her English-born new daughter-in-law, Kate, settle into life in Australia. She invites her friend Rita who is a nurse with the Flying Doctor Service in Alice Springs, Della who is a station hand on the next station and Sallyann a mother of 3 who lives in the town of Katherine to join. It starts in 1978 and goes through to 1980's. I found it interesting that the books they chose to read were ones that I had read and which were popular during those years. My one criticism would be that I was really engrossed in their lives when it abruptly ended and I was left wondering what happened to them all. It seemed to me there was more to their stories.
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