Book Review: The River House By Janita Cunnington

This is a book review of The River House by Janita Cunnington that was recently published by Random House Australia on 4 January 2016.

This is Janita Cunnington's first full length novel although she has written most of her life - poems, articles, stories, booklets, brochures, etc. Janita was born in New South Wales and moved to Brisbane, Queensland when she was a small child, she now lives in Stradbroke Island. This story is based on the inspiration of Janita's own childhood, family and life.

Set in Australia from the 1940s onwards this is the life story of Laurie and her family, and it follows Laurie as a four year old kid, through her teenage angst years, university days, heart break, love, marriage, middle life and all the trials and tribulations along the way.

Laurie's family spend their time between their holiday home The River House in the holiday town of Baroodibah and their other home in sunny Queensland. Laurie's family - brother, sister, father and mother all play a big part in the story with their own life challenges mixed in with Laurie's story.

From Laurie's childhood adventures on the beach to her adult relationships, her life is constantly changing as she is growing into her own person. The writing is so down to earth that I felt I was right there with her on her life journey, feeling what she felt, understanding her and relating to her.

I especially loved the setting in country Australia with the bush, river and ocean described so well.

This is the author's first novel and the writing is brilliant, creative and heartfelt. The story is touching and beautifully written.

This book has also been recommended as the book club pick for 2016 and I agree it would make for a great discussion.

I recommend this book to real life fiction fans who want to read about life in Australia, it's changes, friends and family, love and heartbreak, this has all that and more. 

I give this book 5 stars out of 5

Jarrah Jungle's Star Rating:

1 Bad - I'd rather eat brussel sprouts topped with anchovies than read this again
2 Not Good - I'd rather watch paint dry than read this again
3 Ok - I'm sitting on the fence - its not great but not terrible either
4 Good - I'd give up a bottle of the worlds best champagne for this read
5 Great - I'd pass up a date with Johnny Depp for this read

The River House can be purchased from Random House Australia

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Disclosure:  NetGalley partner with bloggers such as me to help promote authors and their books and I was given this ebook published by Random House Australia to review. As always, all opinions are my own.

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[Image via Random House Australia]