The Valleys Beyond

The Valleys Beyond
First edition
AuthorE. V. Timms
LanguageEnglish
SeriesGreat South Land Saga
Genrehistorical
PublisherAngus and Robertson
Publication date
1951
Publication placeAustralia
Preceded byThe Beckoning Shore 
Followed byThe Challenge 

The Valleys Beyond is a 1951 Australian novel by E. V. Timms. It was the fourth in his Great South Land Saga of novels.[1]

The novel is set in 1841 and features a number of real life figures as characters including Caroline Chisolm.[2]

Premise

According to ABC Weekly the novel, set in 1984, takes place, "in the shadow of the Australian Alps, on the New South Wales side of the Murray River, live three families— the haughty “Black” Olivers, the illiterate, despised Treggs, and the free-immigrant Martin family. Love and hate, violence and envy, madness and savagery were never far below the thin veneer, and when the two young women Tilly Martin and Meg Tregg battle for the attentions of young Everitt Oliver near-tragedy is the result. But out of the ashes of that near-tragedy E. V. Timms plucks the phoenix of future happiness."[3]

Reception

The Sun said it "descends to melodrama but the story moves at a fast pace and has a background of fascinating historical detail."[4]

The Age said "There is a consciously, moral-making air about the book, and in un-likely court, scene, but it is a good, readable story of pioneering and its difficulties."[5]

Radio adaptation

The novel was adapted for radio by the ABC in 1953. It played in fifteen minute episodes read by Lyndall Barbour.[6]

References

  1. ^ "Australian Life". The West Australian. Perth: National Library of Australia. 26 January 1952. p. 15. Retrieved 17 October 2014.
  2. ^ "HISTORICAL NOVEL". Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate. National Library of Australia. 22 December 1951. p. 5. Retrieved 17 October 2014.
  3. ^ "AUSTRALIAN NOVEL IS NEXT A.B.C. MORNING SERIAL", ABC Weekly, 15 (4 (24 January 1953)), Sydney: ABC, nla.obj-1685477307, retrieved 12 March 2024 – via Trove
  4. ^ "BOOKS". The Sun. No. 2538. New South Wales, Australia. 9 December 1951. p. 31. Retrieved 12 March 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  5. ^ "RECENT FICTION--". The Age. No. 30, 221. Victoria, Australia. 8 March 1952. p. 16. Retrieved 12 March 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
  6. ^ ""Our artists have plenty of talent"". Sunday Mail. Brisbane: National Library of Australia. 1 February 1953. p. 8. Retrieved 17 October 2014.


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