SHORTLISTED FOR THE MAN BOOKER PRIZE
WINNER OF THE COMMONWEALTH WRITERS' PRIZE
A BBC2 BIG JUBILEE BETWEEN THE COVERS READ

London, 1806. William Thornhill, happily wedded to his childhood sweetheart Sal, is a waterman on the River Thames. Life is tough but bearable until William makes a mistake, a bad mistake for which he and his family are made to pay dearly.

His sentence: to be transported to New South Wales for the term of his natural life. Soon Thornhill, a man no better or worse than most, has to make the most difficult decision of his life.

"An outstanding study of cultures in collision . . . a chilling, meticulous account of the sorrows and evils of colonialism . . . Kate Grenville is a sophisticated writer" - * Guardian *

"Splendidly paced, passionate and disturbing" - * The Times *

"This is a novel everyone should read" - * Irish Times *

"A vivid and moving portrayal of poverty, struggle and the search for peace" - * Independent *

"Beautifully written" - * Financial Times *

"Sumptuous . . . Brilliantly atmospheric" - * Independent on Sunday *

"A rich novel of character" - * Sunday Telegraph *

"A magnificent novel - an unflinching exploration of modern Australia's origins" - * New Yorker *

"Reading The Secret River may put you off anything less accomplished for a while" - * Daily Express *