Solly’s Way
Solly’s Way
Harrowing Tales of Survival in the Australian Outback - Book One of the Solly Trilogy
Step back in time to the rugged and beautiful Australian outback in Solly's Way, book one of Ron Thomas's captivating Solly Trilogy. The story is set in the 1890s, a time when drought and depression were biting hard across the outback, and violent confrontations between pastoralists and the shearers union were on the rise. Thomas Landerville, a small landholder, is caught between a crippling mortgage and a parched property that can no longer support his flock. His wife Isabelle is a resourceful woman of the outback but like her husband, she is wondering how they can survive. But when an old swagman pushing a loaded wheelbarrow appears on their doorstep, their lives change in unexpected ways.
Follow the story of the Landerville family and the swagman in a gripping tale of survival, set against the backdrop of the harsh realities of the outback. The swagman becomes a friend and confidante to the family, sharing his experiences and teaching them the skills they need to survive in a hostile environment. Meanwhile, the pastoralists and the shearers union are engaged in a violent confrontation that threatens to tear the Landerville family apart. But with their resourcefulness and determination, they manage to find a way to survive.
Solly's Way is a must-read for fans of Australian outback fiction. With vivid descriptions and historical accuracy, Ron Thomas weaves a tale of swagmen, shearers, and bushmen, set against the harsh realities of drought, storms, and the Dreamtime. This book is the first in the Solly Trilogy, which will take readers on a journey through the rugged and beautiful Australian outback. If you love stories of survival, resourcefulness, and determination in the face of adversity, then start your journey with Book 1 of the Solly Trilogy today.
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Discover the Story Behind Solly's Way: A Tale of Tough Times in Australia's Past
In the late 1800s, Australia was known as the richest country in the world. However, it wasn't long before the country faced a devastating economic downturn. The early 1890s brought with it drought, dying stock, and a falling price of wool. Funding was failing, and those on the land were particularly hard hit. The working class bore the brunt of the burden, and the rise of militant trade unions began to change the country. The Shearer’s Union was at the forefront of this movement, with the Tree of Knowledge in Barcaldine, Queensland serving as unionist central. As a result, violent incidents multiplied, and Australia's only act of organised piracy occurred when the paddle wheeler Rodney was wrecked on the Darling. This period marked a turning point for the country, as it began to leave its convict past behind. It was during this time that Solly, a wandering seaman, inadvertently arrived in Australia, as suggested by a visit to the Walter Hood monument.
The bad years of the late 1800s were the years of the swagman. These itinerant workers roamed the countryside looking for work or a free meal. They were not all the same, with some tradesmen pushing their tools in wheelbarrows in search of opportunities to use their trade. Such was the case with Solly, the protagonist of the Solly Trilogy. With the links below, readers can explore the places and events that became the backdrop for Solly's journey, a tale that captures the spirit of Australia's outback during a tumultuous time in its history.
The links below will lead to a selection of the places and events that became the backdrop for Solly’s way.
Walter Hood
The wreck of Rodney
The Tree of Knowledge
Walter Hood Memorial