The Touch

When sixteen year old Elizabeth is casually told by her father that she is to be married to a cousin who lives in New South Wales she puts up no resistance. As a woman living in nineteenth century Scotland she knows her place. However when she meets Alexander Kinross, Elizabeth takes an immediate dislike to him. She learns that he despises her father, James Drummond and the Reverend Doctor Murray regarding them as sanctimonious bigots whilst revelling in his own success. Alexander has a 'nose' for gold and has built a town around a mother lode that has seen him becoming wealthy beyond his wildest dreams. Before sending for Elizabeth, the forthright Ruby Costevan has been Kinross's constant lover and companion. The owner of a brothel house with a half-caste son, Lee, she is one of the partners in Alexander's business as well as owning a respectable hotel. To Alexander's chagrin, the two women become firm friends, Ruby helping Elizabeth through two childbirths which give her one precocious daughter whilst the other is mentally retarded. But things are changing in the world at large as Alexander finds out when he travels to Europe and America - his desire for change no matter the cost to his workers bringing him into conflict with his family, employees but worst, Lee, who has become his son in all but name. Colleen McCullough has written a novel that leaps exuberantly from the page. Her characterisation is faultless whilst the extensive research is impeccably threaded through her dialogue. A wonderful read. (Kirkus UK)