The Inaugural Meeting of the Fairvale Ladies Book Club

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 is the matriarch of Fairvale Station, run by her husband, Joe. Their eldest son, Lachlan, was Joe's designated successor but he has left the Territory - for good. It is up to their second son, Ben, to take his brother's place. But that doesn't stop Sybil grieving the absence of her child.

With her oldest friend, Rita, now living in Alice Springs and working for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, and Ben's English wife, Kate, finding it difficult to adjust to life at Fairvale, Sybil comes up with a way to give them all companionship and purpose: they all love to read, and she forms a book club.

Mother-of-three Sallyanne is invited to join them. Sallyanne dreams of a life far removed from the dusty town of Katherine where she lives with her difficult husband, Mick.

Completing the group is Della, who left Texas for Australia looking for adventure and work on the land.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 fell in love with the Northern Territory the first time she visited and subsequent visits inspired the story in THE INAUGURAL MEETING OF THE FAIRVALE LADIES BOOK CLUB, a Top Ten bestseller.

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 Matt Richell Award for New Writer of the Year 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 is the matriarch of Fairvale Station, run by her husband, Joe . Their eldest son, Lachlan , was Joe's designated successor but he has left the Territory - for good. It is up to their second son, Ben , to take his brother's place. But that doesn't stop Sybil grieving the absence of her child.With her oldest friend, Rita , now living in Alice Springs and working for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, and Ben's English wife, Kate , finding it difficult to adjust to life at Fairvale, Sybil comes up with a way to give them all companionship and purpose: they all love to read, and she forms a book club.Mother-of-three Sallyanne is invited to join them. Sallyanne dreams of a life far removed from the dusty town of Katherine where she lives with her difficult husband, Mick.Completing the group is Della , who left Texas for Australia looking for adventure and work on the land.If you loved THE GUERNSEY LITERARY AND POTATO PEEL PIE SOCIETY, THE LITTLE COFFEE SHOP OF KABUL and THE THORN BIRDS 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.'The story of these resilient women is tender and intimate. 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

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