Reviewed by Wendy Lipke
When reading this latest book by Fiona McArthur, I was reminded of segments from Macca’s Sunday programs and his book, Why I Live Where I Live: Australia All Over by Ian McNamara. Back to Birdsville certainly shows how this isolated location in outback Queensland, where the state abuts both the Northern Territory and South Australian borders, can be a lure for many people. Highlighted within this story are the world-renowned Birdsville Races and the Birdsville Big Red Bash. The latter takes place near the tallest sand dune in the Simpson Desert. Even the billabong for which Birdsville is known becomes part of this tale.
But this is not a travel guide. It is a love story, and there are several characters who find their special one in this book. Fiona McArthur is well known for her Aussie Outback Medical Romance stories where she draws on her own experiences to make her stories relatable yet also manages to provide something new. It is obvious that she understands the people of the outback, of all ages, as they face the many challenges so common in rural and isolated areas of Australia.
Phoebe McFadden, the main protagonist in the story, spent her early life in Birdsville but fled when she was a teenager. Now as a midwife and emergency nurse in South Australia, she returns to be bridesmaid for her cousin, Scarlet. For eighteen years, she has not returned or spoken to her father who still lives in Birdsville. Although Phoebe only plans to stay a short time to help her cousin with preparations for the races as well as her wedding, a lot can happen in a few short weeks. Maybe it is time to try to reconcile with her father.
She discovers that the local policeman now is the young boy, Atticus Bow, she had spent time with growing up. He, like her, had left but has now returned and plans to stay. She is very aware that he is no longer a boy but a hot young man.
Another visitor arriving in the town, at the same time, is Charlie Bryce, a young woman who has always lived in foster care and now that she finds herself pregnant wants somewhere to settle down and raise her child. She believes that she might have links to Birdsville so travels here in search of relatives.
Many relationships change during this brief period of time. People realise that they have been procrastinating and life may be passing them by, so it is time to rectify that. There are many back-stories to be revealed throughout the storyline.
Although I found the descriptions, especially those concerning Atticus and his feelings a little cheesy at times, this is an interesting and human story and probably has a lesson for us all. I thoroughly enjoy Fiona McArthur’s writings with her settings celebrating the Australian outback, her women who are always there for each other and the caring men she includes in her stories, which in no way diminishes their manliness.
This is another fascinating story by this author, full of humanity and set in a unique Australian location.
Back to Birdsville
(2024)
by Fiona McArthur
Penguin Random House
ISBN:978-1-76104-799-2
$34.99; 334pp