Katingal: Something Good, Something Great
About The Book
Many of our Australian farms and properties have houses, sitting empty, that were once occupied by extended family and those who worked for them. These neglected houses are a reminder of a way of life that has changed irrevocably. I have always loved the character of those abandoned homes and the idea of finding a new way to use what is discarded, even if only in my imagination, is comforting. This was the inspiration for Katingal: something good…something great
It took me a year to write the book and I did it with no clear idea of what I was going to do once I finished. I wrote it for me and in some ways for my mother. I have used some of her childhood memories and her stories of generations of families who farmed their land together.
[Thanks to Hiang Kanjinna from Pexels for the lovely cat image]
The Story
Ellie never felt the loss of her parents. Too young to remember them, she was raised by her beloved grandmother on the remnants of the family property. 'Katingal' had always been an anchor, somewhere to come back to, a haven filled with love and memories, a sanctuary inextricably linked to her heart. Now Ellie must make a decision. Does she find a way to keep her home, or does she move on?
Determined to weave new into old, Ellie devises a 12 month plan. Then, with the reluctant agreement of her fiancé, sets out to build a new life for them both, little realising that in doing so she will be changing their lives forever.
Juggling her passion as an artist, holding down a part time job and managing building renovations, all whilst trying to maintain a long distance relationship, is exhausting. Ellie knows that it will not be easy to keep all those balls in the air without a whole lot of help, lucky she's found some. Thank heavens for Bob, her staunchest ally and next door neighbour, who is just a phone call away. And then there is Jack, the good looking builder with an engaging young daughter. She shares laughter and tears with new found friend Meg and her dictatorial cat, Maximus, as they stumble through some sticky adventures together, trying to deal with the mud life keeps slinging at them.
As the walls come down and secrets are uncovered, Ellie finally understands why her legacy is so much more than a collection of buildings and a piece of land. She discovers the family she never knew, and through their stories of unexpected joys and devastating heartbreaks she finds the strength, courage and adventurous spirit she needs to make her dreams come true.