• The Waddi Tree

  • By: Kerry McGinnis
  • Narrated by: Humphrey Bower
  • Length: 11 hrs and 45 mins
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Release date: 12-17-07
  • Language: English
  • Publisher: Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd
  • 4 out of 5 stars 4.0 (117 ratings)

Regular price: $24.47

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Editorial Reviews

Set amid the barren sand and sun of Central Australia, Kerry McGinnis’ tale of family, tragedy, and redemption finds a versatile suitor in the strains of Aussie actor Humphrey Bower. The Waddi Tree follows young Jim McAllister, sent to live on the cattle station of a well-to-do uncle after the tragic death of his mother. As he grows accustomed to his new life, the teenage Jim shows promise as a jackaroo. Jim begins to dream of his own cattleman career, but finds himself hampered by his family’s dark past. A prolific audiobook performer, Bower colors the proceedings with distinct character acting and impassioned diction. Bower lends rugged masculinity to McGinnis’ brawny bushmen, while nevertheless betraying the tenderness and insecurity that lurks within young Jim.
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Publisher's Summary

Two branches of the McAllister family lead very different lives on cattle stations in Central Australia. Rob, a stickler for correctness, manages a wealthy, company-owned property while his easygoing brother, Sandy, struggles to support his wife and son on an impoverished leasehold. When tragedy throws the families together, it ultimately drives them even further apart. Sandy's young son Jim suffers the most. Left to rebuild his shattered world, he falls back on the larger-than-life station characters and the comfort of horses. This is tough country, where personal hardship is kept in perspective by drought, fire and isolation. The times are just as unforgiving, and as the years pass, Jim discovers that he must pay for his father's mistake as well as his own. Yet this harshly beautiful land is full of promise and a source of strength to Jim on his road from innocence to independence.
©2006 Kerry McGinnis (P)2006 Bolinda Publishers Pty Ltd.
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Critic Reviews

"McGinnis has the eye of a painter; she writes as she sees and the land come alive." ( Weekend Australian)
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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful
4 out of 5 stars
By Louise on 08-06-08

Enjoyable

Picked this book because Humphrey Bower was narrating. He is on my very very very short list of favorite voices. This story is wonderful; however I believe that this author could have made this into an exceptional book by reducing the amount of characters and going in-depth with main characters.
I just felt that I had not gotten to know anyone in within this novel.

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7 of 7 people found this review helpful

4 out of 5 stars
By Ben on 08-23-14

THE WAY IT WAS

Would you listen to The Waddi Tree again? Why?

If you did your "apprenticeship" as a Jackaroo in the 60's or before, you will relive the skills, demands, responsibilities, and sheer hard work of a cattle man.
It brought back memories. The descriptions were accurate (notwithstanding the geography), and the characters were spot on.
As they say…you had to be there to understand.

If you’ve listened to books by Kerry McGinnis before, how does this one compare?

First book I have listened to.

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

Bower is outstanding!!!
Far and away the top narrator in the world.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Laughed out loud with some of the typical Aussie humour.

Any additional comments?

Kerry McGinnis either did a great deal of research or was really there at the time.

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3 of 3 people found this review helpful

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful
5 out of 5 stars
By Alicia on 10-16-14

An Absolute Gem

A truly beautiful, well rounded coming of age story that will break your heart and mend it again. If you liked Shena Mackay's The Orchard on Fire, you will love this. I cannot fault it.

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1 of 1 people found this review helpful

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