*3.5 stars

Now seems like the right time to admit that I often begin reading books based almost entirely on their titles and covers, with the actual book summary taking a backseat in my mind. With that out in the open, I will add that I thought 'Moonlight and the Pearler's Daughter' would be a more whimsical, magical novel than it was in reality. Granted, there were elements of magical realism thrown in (which is probably why some readers have shelved it as "fantasy"), but everything ends up being explained away with facts. Meaning there wasn't any magic in the first place.

Expectations aside, this was a page-turner. Eliza's staunch belief that her father could not possibly be dead instigated her search for the truth behind his disappearance, leading to the discovery of several long-buried secrets and underhanded deals making up the society of late 1800s West Australia. The plot unfurled steadily; the writing was descriptive without being over-the-top, bringing the world of Bannin Bay to life in a reader's mind. The romantic subplot is never too intrusive to overshadow the main storyline, and it—along with the vocabulary used in dialogue—reminded me often of popular Victorian-era novels I've read over the years.

'Miss, I may not have been here long, but I do know a woman in Bannin is not afforded the same privileges as a man.' His look feels like a challenge. 'I would say it's fair to assume you are leered at in most establishments. Perhaps ushered quickly out of the door. In others you will be measured and found worthy for nothing but your female parts.'

That being said, there were certain aspects of the novel I wasn't quite so keen on. Axel's overly understanding speech quoted above, coupled with his almost too timely instinct that Eliza would need a male escort in order to gain access to specific establishments to find out what happened to her father, were a bit too on-the-nose for my liking. Then there's the matter of the title: 'Moonlight' is first introduced about 70% of the way into the novel, and isn't exactly a major player in the proceedings except in a few instances. I feel like a sequel to this book, following Eliza's adventures after this one's ending, would have been far more aptly named 'Moonlight and the Pearler's Daughter' than this was.

At the end of the day, there was more to like than there was to dislike. Billy's subplot, though given less screentime than I would have liked to see, was wonderfully written, and there's a speech near the end of the novel which would melt any romance lover's heart—alongside a response to said speech which I personally enjoyed far more.

I found this book quite hard-going and not as good as I hoped it would be. The description of life of the people is quite brutally depicted at times and I suspect it is fairly accurate but it made uncomfortable reading. I wanted to love this book more than I did but I did admire it

‘And precious the tear as that rain from the sky, Which turns into pearls as it falls in the sea.’ - inscription on monument overlooking Roebuck Bay honouring Women in Pearling.

My thanks to Pan Macmillan Mantle for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘Moonlight and the Pearler's Daughter’ by Lizzie Pook in exchange for an honest review.

I was initially drawn to this book by its exquisite cover and intriguing title. It proved an engaging and atmospheric tale set in and around the Australian pearling industry during the late 19th Century.

It opens in 1886, Bannin Bay, Australia as the Brightwell family arrives from England to make a new home. Ten-year-old Eliza is fascinated by her father’s promise of shining pearls that will make their fortune.

Ten years later Charles Brightwell has become a Master Pearler and extremely successful. Then he goes missing from his ship while at sea. There are whispers of mutiny and murder. Eliza is convinced that her father is still alive. She is determined to ask the questions no one else will. Of course in doing so she stirs things up. No further details to avoid the spoiler shoals.

I found this a beautifully written work of historical fiction with lyrical descriptions of both landscapes and seascapes. I was caught up in Eliza’s quest to discover her father’s fate. On occasion there are excerpts from Charles Brightwell’s Diary that Eliza is reading in hope of finding clues. His entries include evocative observations about the local flora and fauna.

In her opening Author’s Note Lizzie Pook acknowledges “the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Peoples of the land on which this story takes place, and I pay my respects to Elders past and present.” This respect is obvious throughout the novel even though the history of the pearling industry is very dark; especially with respect to the treatment of the indigenous population and others brought in as cheap (and expendable) labour.

In her closing Historical and Cultural Note, while acknowledging that the novel is a work of fiction Pook advises that it was inspired by historical events and figures. The novel also addresses themes of colonialism and the exploitative practices of the pearling industry. She also includes details of a few nonfiction works for those wishing to learn more of this history.

Overall, I found ‘Moonlight and the Pearler's Daughter’ an impressive debut novel. It is the kind of novel that likely will appeal to reading groups that are looking for historical literary fiction that will provide plenty of scope for discussion as well as providing a good read.

This is a very atmospheric book that truly transports you to western Australia in the 1800s. Eliza is a wonderful main character. She doesn't confirm to societal norms and is full of resourcefulness, bravery and a wonderful attitude to life. I wasn't very taken with the flow of the story and the other characters were hard to relate to or to be much interested in, but the descriptive style of writing was so heartwarming (and sometimes revolting) that it was still an enjoyable and memorable read.

Set in the late 19th century, this story is jam packed with excitement and adventure. Eliza is a brave and independent, fiery young woman who won't settle for the typical woman's role in society. I loved this - couldn't put it down as kept needing to know what was going to happen next. The author’s writing style lends itself perfectly to the genre. She knows exactly when to end a scene and mount suspense.

This book wasn't for me. I was looking forward to an exciting adventure set at sea but what I got was over frilly text that was just too long for what it needed to be

I was sent a copy of Moonlight and the Pearler's Daughter by Lizzie Pook to read and review by NetGalley. A very enjoyable book which has a great sense of time and place. The protagonist Eliza is a strong willed, independent woman and she isn’t afraid to face danger to get to the truth. The writing is descriptive, but not overdone, and there is the addition of informative excepts from her father’s journal, cataloguing the local flora and fauna. This is a real adventure story, with its foundations in the reality of the pearling industry in the late 1800s.

A superbly written debut historical novel that is gritty, suspenseful and gripping. It was reminiscent of Bryce Courtney, which although they are big shoes to fill, I am sure this author will succeed in.

Set in Australia, 1896 An innocent man, blamed just because of the colour of his skin, is arrested when Eliza Brightwell's father and his boat go missing one night.
Although this is an Incredibly detailed and atmospheric novel, its not one that grips you from start to finish however, it’s worth persevering through till the end though.

What a debut! The background to this historical tale has obviously been well researched and the inclusion of the cruelty of many of the pearlers and the exploitation of the natives adds more flavour to the story. The descriptions were so powerful and evocative. The characters were well drawn, particularly Eliza whose sense of right and wrong were so strong it moved the story along with great pace.
A great pleasure to read and I can't wait to see more from this author.
Many thanks to Netgalley/Lizzie Pook/Pan Macmillan for a digital copy of this title. All opinions expressed are my own.

A historical adventure set in Western Australia. Meticulously researched( but wearing its research lightly), a feisty, engaging heroine, beautifully described shimmering land & seascapes & a gradually unravelling mystery with a satisfying twist.

Also dealt with racism, sexism & colonialism in a very skillful way, weaving it through the story without at all slowing down the pace.

I was captivated from beginning to end.

This historical fiction piece is set in Western Australia in the period of 1886-1896. In 1886, Eliza and her family emigrate from London to Bannin Bay, where her father Charles works as a pearler alongside his brother Willem.

Ten years later in 1896, Eliza is waiting anxiously for the return of her father’s lugger. When the boat returns, it is clear that her father isn’t on board. He is declared missing. Eliza’s brother, Thomas, also a pearler, conveys that their father simply disappeared and no one witnessed the incident.

Soon, a man is arrested for Charles Brightwell’s murder, but Eliza knows that the man has a watertight alibi. As the local police think they have their man and aren’t interested in pursuing the case further, Eliza decides to take matter into her own hands. Little does she know that her actions will put her in danger. Can she uncover the truth behind her father’s disappearance?

I loved Eliza as a character. I admired that she followed her heart and wanted to help others. She was unconventional for her times: she had no interest in having a husband in an age where a woman was defined by having one; she had tanned forearms, when it was fashionable for the society women to have pearly white skin.

I enjoyed finding out more about Eliza’s past. Her family went through some horrific experiences with damaging and lasting consequences.

I was shocked to read about the corruption in the pearl business. Like with everything in life, there was a darker side to it, with some exploiting their workers, hiring slaves who worked for pittance, and even killing others in the pearl pursuit.

Overall, it is a beautifully written book and I enjoyed it immensely.

I definitely recommend it.

1886, BANNIN BAY, AUSTRALIA.
The Brightwell family has sailed from England to make their new home in Western Australia. Ten-year-old Eliza knows little of what awaits them on these shores beyond shining pearls and shells like soup plates – the things her father has promised will make their fortune.
~~~
Ten years later and Charles Brightwell, now the bay’s most prolific pearler, goes missing from his ship while out at sea. Whispers from the townsfolk suggest mutiny and murder, but headstrong Eliza, convinced there is more to the story, refuses to believe her father is dead, and it falls to her to ask the questions no one else dares consider.
But in a town teeming with corruption, prejudice and blackmail, Eliza soon learns that the truth can cost more than pearls, and she must decide just how much she is willing to pay – and how far she is willing to go – to find it . . .

This is a brilliant read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great drama and action with wonderful world building.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.

I was provided an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher. This is my own honest voluntary review.

Moonlight and the Pearler's Daughter is a wonderful debut that drew me in from the very beginning. Set in Australia at the end of the nineteenth century, this is one of those books that I loved not just for its characters and plot, but also for the setting and the chance to learn something new.

Eliza was a really compelling main character, with her fierce devotion to her family and the steely determination allowing her to keep rising up in the face of adversity and to continue pushing on in her quest to find her father. She is complex and flawed and ready to fight hard for her space in a world that doesn't really consider women all that much. The rest of the characters felt a bit flat by comparison, but Eliza is the centre of the show so it didn't really bother me all that much overall.

The setting and the historical period stole the spotlight a little, as they were both drawn in amazing detail. I was rather ignorant of the whole pearling business, so this was an excellent chance to be introduced to it and learn something new! I particularly appreciated how the author acknowledged native people and the harm caused to them by settlers. I felt like I also had a clear sense of social structures by the end of the book, and characters' choices and behaviours mostly made sense within those.

Eliza's search for her father pretty much takes up the whole book, and my enjoyment of it definitely came more from the setting and historical traits than from the plot itself. There were a few chapters set in the past, at the time of the Brightwell family's arrival in Bannin Bay, which I hoped would continue throughout, but they were limited and the majority of the action took place at the time of Eliza's father's disappearance. This still made for an interesting read, but as it progressed it was at times not quite as engrossing as I'd have liked. I found the resolution slightly underwhelming, but that's just personal taste! I really enjoyed seeing Eliza come into her own by the end of the book so that made up for any other minor disappointment.

Overall, this is a really great read and I'll definitely be on the lookout for more of Lizzie Pook's work in the future!

The year is 1866 and Eliza's quest to find her father who disappeared from a pearler's boat off the coast of Western Australia, Bannin Bay.

That is basically the story but the joy of the book lies in Ms Pook who writes so well, with vivid descriptions and imagery - which I enjoyed immensely. There is also a glorious historical element in how pearls are caught, prepared and sold.

Thanks to Net Galley and Pan Macmillan for the chance to read and review. Loved it!

Adventure + history + great characters!

Can I first put on record how much I learnt by reading this ambitious novel? I knew, of course, that Australia’s First People were treated abominably in having their land stolen and that there was an active policy of ‘breeding out’, as covered in the film ‘Rabbit-Proof Fence’.

What I was completely ignorant of was that they suffered slavery in much the same way as Africans in America, and that their pregnant women were thought to be particularly suited to deep-sea diving. A dark episode in our history. So, I’m glad I read the novel for that consciousness-raising experience alone.

I also learnt a lot about Australia’s often (usually?) deadly flora and fauna, the historical setting of Victorian ‘colonial’ Australia, which attracted failures and ne’er-do-wells alike, and the pearl-diving industry in a fictitious but highly credible setting. You can taste the heat and dust and smell the sweat!

But, in case all this sounds a bit heavy-going, the story is also highly entertaining, with a fabulous protagonist, Eliza. There’s a wealth of historical detail but the author wears her research lightly; it is always in context and adds to the story of Eliza’s valiant quest.

I enjoyed the way the author creates a satisfying ending, without it being too neatly romantic and out of keeping with the Eliza’s doughty character.

Could it be that Lizzie Pook has more adventures in store for her heroine? I do hope so!

3.5 stars rounded to 4. moonlight and the pearler's daughter is a really interesting historical fiction debut. it's got a great plotline with a mystery that pulled me in far more than i expected it to with some unexpected twists and turns towards the end. for me, the plot is the high point of this novel. the cast is great. i really fell in love with eliza; her fearless and headstrong nature was charming in spite of the fact that she was occasionally naive and reckless. her brother thomas was also a really interesting addition, and i wish we'd gotten to see a little more of him to further understand his mentality.

there are many examples of descriptive, beautifully crafted passages of scene-setting to really immerse the reader in 1890s australia. for me, they were perhaps a little too lengthy and elaborate and became a little tedious, but i think if you really love the historical fiction genre, it'll be a positive for you. lizzie pook really works so hard to paint a mental image of a long gone time period. there are also some flashback scenes, diary entries, and check-ins with characters away from the main storyline interspersed throughout the story. while most of them added to the overall experience, they occasionally took me out of an exciting plot point in the main storyline that i wanted to focus on. but aside from these two points, MATPD is a solid story that i would recommend giving a try if you like historical fiction and/or mystery.

"Moonlight and the Pearler's Daughter" was pitched to me as similar to "Circus of Wonders", which I loved and still love, so I had pretty high expectations. Unfortunately, it wasn't exactly what I expected. I found the descriptions almost suffocating at times and the ending a bit rushed when it comes to the supportive characters, but I'm sure there are readers out there who will go crazy with joy and happily lose themselves within the pages of this book. Lizzie Pook seems to have done a lot of research, the plot is not obvious and I did not anticipate the solution to the case. All in all a solid debut.

Thank you Pan MacMillan for offering me to read an advance copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

I did struggle to get absorbed in this book - it is probably the first historical fiction book I have read for some time and I found it harder work than my normal reading matter. It definitely took me out of my comfort zone! I did however warm to the central character - Eliza - and her determination to solve the disappearance of her father - a pearled - from Bannin Bay. I knew nothing about this trade, the conditions both the pearlers and their native employees lived in nor the underlying corruption and prejudice.

I found the unravelling of the family’s secrets and Eliza’s striving against local conventions and expectations gave me the impetus to keep reading. The conclusion was not what I expected but still satisfying.

A slow burner but overall worth the effort!

I did not immediately fall under the spell of Lizzie Pook’s authorial voice in ‘Moonlight and The Pearler's Daughter’. The biography opening the ARC of the book signposted Pook’s journalism background too much. Because, wow! This is not journalistic prose: this is transporting.

‘As I dived, other lights came floating down too, passing like silk parachutes in the half-light. I looked up and I could see a whole ensemble of jellyfish there, fiery tentacles long and swaying in the current. When my lungs could take it no longer, I shifted my body and pulled myself slowly upwards. With a heaving breath I broke the surface and looked about me at an ocean ablaze with the sinking sun. Then I turned the lugger, its steady mass kissed by amber, waiting patiently on the waves.’

My expectation was so much lower than what Pook is offering readers here, that it took me till the passage where Eliza finds her father’s fountain pen to awaken to the story. But then! Oh, but then... Something clicked. And I was suddenly, surprisingly involved in this novel. Other readers and reviewers will recount the threads of the story and summarise the book, but for me, this novel’s abiding features are the tone, mood and vocabulary that comprise Lizzie Pook’s writing style. From the point where I found connection with the novel, right the way through to the end, I was intoxicated with Pook’s language, and her lulling style of prose:

‘At the jetty, wild with pelicans and gulls, white suits with ledgers punctiliously count in their baskets of shell. A patient nag waits nearby with its cart stacked high with boxes. The surrounding mudflats are littered with coils of rope, spidery anchor chains and white sails stretching like open butterfly wings.’

‘There must be hundreds of [pearls] in front of her, shifting from eel green to dragonfly blue to soft, whispery pink. Some of the stones are baroques, small and misshapen, but the largest must be almost the size of her eyeball. She carefully picks it up and turns it so it dances under the dim light. It seems to contain a whole weather system inside it – lilac storm clouds and frothy white cumulus, the flinty grey of the ocean before the sun first hits.’

The character of Eliza is vividly drawn; her physicality is arresting, especially in her recollections/imagination shifts, where she casts back to significant episodes of childhood that serve to build the picture of who Eliza is and what makes her such:

‘A small child with a tadpole belly clambers onto its back and hops with exhilaration. A flash from a camera box startles her and her mind stutters to her own family outings here, when she’d crawled on her hands and knees in search of tiny things to pocket. The sand would be strewn with cowries and periwinkles. Her father would make a show of laying out a picnic and Thomas would be wading about the shallows.’

And physicality is a distinctive element of Pook’s sensorial depiction of the Australian landscape and environment, which is honestly remarkable. ‘Moonlight and the Pearler’s Daughter’ has such a definitive sense of place, the specificity of description of physical features is utterly engaging. Eliza’s sense of belonging and emotional connection to Australia is conveyed to the reader in her crisp naturalist observations:

‘As they canter through hoary pindan wattle, the horses flick their ears to rid themselves of the attendant flies. The sun finds its old companions and lays its warmth on their skin, whips the scent of wild pear and saltbush into the air. Around them, kurrajong trees show off their heart-shaped leaves and the jigals are heavy with big brown seedpods. They reach a track and it soon becomes clear it is not often used by humans. The dirt has been pocked with puddles and stamped into ridges.’

The narrative is interspersed with entries from the diary of Eliza’s father, Charles J. G. Brightwell, Master Pearler, whose textual appearances drive the plot forward, and shape Eliza’s unique character arc. In places, these simply serve to underscore the familial connection between the two characters via their deep feelings of relatedness to nature.

Prevailing over all of this is the pleasure of Pook’s prose. The plot is sinister enough to keep fans of the Mystery genre hooked, and the atmosphere is sufficiently plump for fans of Historical Fiction, but for me, what merits a five-star rating is Pook’s fleshy, sensatory writing:

‘She has imagined being a bird above, watching as the boats leave their anchorage, as they glide over reefs that slough their hulls like dead skin, passing motherships and schooners, scattered fleets beyond bobbing on the surface. Around them the tendrils of mangrove swamps bleed like opened veins and at night, when all is quiet and dark, the water coils as deep as a dreamless slumber.’