Elizabeth & Elizabeth
Sue Williams
Reviewed by Helen
I am very fond of stories set in early Australia and the blurb on this one pulled me in and what a great story this one is, rich in history it tells the story of two very famous woman Elizabeth Macquarie and Elizabeth Macarthur who showed courage and strength in Australia’s early days, supporting their husbands and becoming fast and true friends even though it was such an unlikely friendship.
Elizabeth (Betsey) Macquarie arrives in Australia with her husband Lachlan the new Governor, it is 1809 and Sydney Town is but a ramshackle town and nothing like Betsey expected, she is shocked but very determined to support her husband in any way she can. She is also very much looking forward to catching up with an old acquaintance, who has been here for many years now Elizabeth Macarthur she knows she will have to tread carefully as Elizabeth is married to John Macarthur who is a political enemy.
Elizabeth Macarthur is married to John and works very hard on her farm, Elizabeth Farm at Parramatta building the merino wool industry with her sheep, after the troubles with the mutiny of the last governor William Bligh that John had a lot to do with he is now in England trying to clear his name and running the farm is up to Elizabeth. When the new Governor and his wife Betsey call to see her, Betsey and her start to get acquainted, Elizabeth is unsure that this will be a good idea at the start, not sure how their fledgling friendship will end considering their husbands positions.
Betsey and Elizabeth should really have been enemies but over the years their friendship grew stronger and stronger. Betsey encouraged Lachlan to make reforms and build a better Sydney Town with gardens, buildings and open up more land, Elizabeth did not always agree with what was happening and often had ideas that she passed on to Betsey but they gained strength from each other along the way and were always there to support each other as the years went on.
This is a beautifully written story the Author Sue Williams has dug deep and bought to life Betsey and Elizabeth in a story that is a page turner, the history is fabulous and I loved going back to this time in our country with the turmoil and the opening up of new land and seeing what part these strong courageous woman played to get this country started. This is a story that I highly recommend, it really is a fabulous read.
Thank you to Allen & Unwin AU for my copy to read and review.
4 stars
Published January 5th 2021 by Allen & Unwin AU
