Melissa Lucashenko's novel Edenglassie has won eight awards in her native Australia and has just been longlisted for the Walter Scott Prize
March saw the group tackle Melissa Lucashenko's dual timeline tale of Aboriginal Australia.
Edenglassie principally takes place in the early colonial days of Brisbane, but also includes a modern day section set in an Australia that is still trying to come to terms with that legacy.
For most members, the 19th Century sections were more engaging and successful, with some struggling to relate or connect to the contemporary characters.
Lucashenko's regular use of First Nations language did confuse and act as a barrier for some. There were members who believed the book would have more appeal if it had been avoided.
But members did recognise it added authenticity, and there was admiration for her unwillingness to compromise in a story that was very much about the impact of colonialism.
The number of names in the 19th Century section also left some struggling to stay with the narrative.
For the most part there was appreciation that this was story that needed to be told, and that it did show the devastating impact of colonialism, though some believed they learned nothing new from it. For some it was important to note that this was part of Britain's imperial history, as well as Australia's.
But some did think the book fell short, with a number of members saying they believed it would have benefited from being longer to allow for more depth and exploration of character.
There was some discussion about the modern-day characters, with some members actively disliking the activist Winona, but for some this was an effective way of exploring the genuine tensions and attitudes of contemporary Australians. Some also appreciated the humour, but others found it fell flat.
There was some division about the ending, and while some found it powerful and emotional, others felt it was a bit of a cop-out and did not allow the book to go out on the right note. Overall, the supernatural elements didn't satisfy some.
But supporters believed this was an effective portrait of just what horrors colonial exploitation unleashed, with a sense that this was a turning point in Australia's history.
Edenglassie principally takes place in the early colonial days of Brisbane, but also includes a modern day section set in an Australia that is still trying to come to terms with that legacy.
For most members, the 19th Century sections were more engaging and successful, with some struggling to relate or connect to the contemporary characters.
Lucashenko's regular use of First Nations language did confuse and act as a barrier for some. There were members who believed the book would have more appeal if it had been avoided.
But members did recognise it added authenticity, and there was admiration for her unwillingness to compromise in a story that was very much about the impact of colonialism.
The number of names in the 19th Century section also left some struggling to stay with the narrative.
For the most part there was appreciation that this was story that needed to be told, and that it did show the devastating impact of colonialism, though some believed they learned nothing new from it. For some it was important to note that this was part of Britain's imperial history, as well as Australia's.
But some did think the book fell short, with a number of members saying they believed it would have benefited from being longer to allow for more depth and exploration of character.
There was some discussion about the modern-day characters, with some members actively disliking the activist Winona, but for some this was an effective way of exploring the genuine tensions and attitudes of contemporary Australians. Some also appreciated the humour, but others found it fell flat.
There was some division about the ending, and while some found it powerful and emotional, others felt it was a bit of a cop-out and did not allow the book to go out on the right note. Overall, the supernatural elements didn't satisfy some.
But supporters believed this was an effective portrait of just what horrors colonial exploitation unleashed, with a sense that this was a turning point in Australia's history.
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