Search for the Light: An Australian Saga

Currency Girls, Book 1

By: Rosemary Noble

Narrated by: Nano Nagle

Length: 9 hrs and 31 mins

Publisher's summary

A tea-stain, that’s all it took. A tea-stain, a girl frightened of her own shadow and fate. Hell needs no more.

A moment's foolish mistake costs 16-year-old Nora her freedom and her family. Sentenced to transportation, she has to grow up fast to survive prison, the long journey, and then life as an assigned servant in Van Diemen's Land of the 1820s. She is sustained by real friendships with other prisoners, Sarah and Helen. Can anyone of them overcome the pitfalls of convict life to become pioneering settlers of modern-day Tasmania?

This is a story of love and friendship amidst the trials of 19th-century Australian colonial life.

For fans of Colleen McCullough and Kate Grenville.

©2014 Rosemary Jane Noble (P)2019 Rosemary Jane Noble

Wonderful Australian Fiction

I was given this audiobook in exchange for an honest review. I cannot speak highly enough about this book. Anyone wanting to know about Australian history and the journeys of female convicts from England to Van Diemen's land should listen to this book. I found the characters highly interesting and the fortunes of the girls heartbreaking at times. The journey by sea put them in terrible conditions but they rallied together and made the best of it. The narrator was the perfect choice for this book and I look forward to listening to future books in this series by this author.

great read!

**I am reviewing the audio version of this book**

This was a really good read.

The story was very interesting and at times entertaining. I totally fell in love with the 3 women and wanted to weep and rejoice with them.
It also made me more aware of what happened to convict women in those early days, when my country was founded.
I also loved the portrayal of the ladies from the society of friends. Some of them truly seemed to understand, and that seemed rare in those days.

The narration was very good, with lots of emotion. I loved it when the narrator sang.
I was left feeling sad for Hellen and Davey.

Can’t wait for the next book in the series.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Orange is the New Black...1825

This audio book was given to me at my request in exchange for a honest review.

LOVE this one. Now, I know i have been saying that a lot recently but I really really mean it. I wasn't sure about this one at first. I think maybe the cover put me off for some reason. IDK, but I was so wrong. The narrator did an amazing job too. All of her accents were so perfect sounding. I loved like, all the characters. Start to finishing, this book was fabulous!

Great story with historical information

This is the first book I’ve read/listened to by this author and I would gladly listen to another. Although this book is part of a series, it ends with a definite conclusion. I’m curious, I’m guessing the next book will follow women from a different era in Australian history.
Although the characters do go through hardships, the overall tone of the book is positive. We get a glimpse into what life was like for women transported to Van Diemen’s Land (Tasmania) during the 1820’s. The need for women in the colonies meant many women got transported more for their desirable characteristics (age, skills, fertility) than their crimes. Many people never received a fair trial since they were deemed lower class or forced into poverty, and for that reason, obviously untrustworthy.

This is the first book I’ve listened to by this narrator ( Nano Nagle ) and I would listen to another. She had a pleasant voice to listen to. Her character voices were distinguishable, and she made use of accents to differentiate and add personality.

There are no explicit sex scenes, excessive violence or swearing.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and voluntarily left this unbiased review.
Please feel free to comment on whether you found my review helpful.

So much hardship

It was fascinating albeit upsetting, to read about the unfair legal system in England all those years ago. The cruelty & incredibly harsh circumstances these women had to endure was heart wrenching. The storyline was so-so although I found the historical facts of the time it played out very informative. Didn’t like the narrator at all so I struggled through.