The Farmer's Wife

By: Rachael Treasure

Narrated by: Miranda Nation

Rachael Treasure’s funny, heartwarming sequel to Jillaroo follows Rebecca and the farm through tumult and heartbreak to discover what’s really important in life. Ten years ago, Rebecca took up the reins of the family farm and her boyfriend, Charlie, came on board to help - her life was complete. But now Rebecca’s relationship is in trouble, and so is the farm. Can she rebuild her life and her livelihood on her own?

©2013 Rachael Treasure (P)2013 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd

Critic reviews

"I was caught up in the drama, fun, rocky romances and many adventures of Rebecca, one of the most refreshing Australian heroines ever.... By the end of this book, you yearn for a ute, a pair of boots, and the wide open spaces." ( Australian Women's Weekly)

A rare gem of a book

What did you love best about The Farmer's Wife?

The Farmer's Wife is a stark look at what happens after the fairytale ending, Rebecca as before is a frank, intelligent and witty voice of Australian rural women but instead of the rebel farming girl, she is a wife and mother in a lifeless marriage and surrounded by a dying farm.

A interesting mix of a fascinating new farming methods and New age philosophy. All the farming talk could be a little dry to people who are not familiar with rural life, but to me the characters are instantly reconizeable sometimes uncomfortably so, form the staid local farmers to picture perfect polished woman next door with hidden depth they are vividly drawn.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Rebecca even though she can be breathtaking proud and pig headed

Have you listened to any of Miranda Nation’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I haven't listen to any other performances by Miranda Nation by it was excellent, it's easy to identify each character although her Spainish accent was a bit painful but what Australian can do a good Spainish accent?

If you could rename The Farmer's Wife, what would you call it?

I wouldn't it's a very good name

Any additional comments?

It's a wonderful book harsh and biting in places and inspiring in others, I loved it and I would recommend it whole heartedly

Heartbreaking, Inspirational, Truthful, Mesmerised

Would you listen to The Farmer's Wife again? Why?

Yes, It was mesmerising.. So sweet with a story that really sucks you in without lacking in the little details about the reality of living on the land in this beautiful sunburt country.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Farmer's Wife?

The incident in the kitchen... It was read so well by Miranda, you could hear the emotion charging her voice and Rachael really left no detail out. The grittiness that is the reality of those situations wasn't left out and whilst it was confronting, it wasn't in a away that took away from the rest of the book. A truly truthful representation of a situation that all to many women go through all too often and also a representation that shares useful ways to move on and get through it.

What about Miranda Nation’s performance did you like?

She has an amazing way of bringing these stories and characters to life. I have yet to come across another narrator that is as apt as her for giving the characters this level of emotion or even give so many characters such different persona's.

Any additional comments?

A brilliant book that is perfect for audio. Rachael has written a wonderful piece that truly represents the real world of farming in recent times. No corner of this way of life is glossed over or forgotten and I especially liked the way the kids in the book were used as way to provide explanations to the listeners who may not have the background of someone more familiar to the farming world, via oral teachings from their parents.

The first book I have read/listened that I truly thought "this could have been my life!"

Written by a master of the genre and read by a truly up and coming narrator. Well done to both of you! Its a credit to your talents and professionalism.