Discover books similar to "The White Earth"
Andrew McGahan
The White Earth
3.71
"The White Earth" by Andrew McGahan is a haunting and powerful novel that explores the complex relationships between people, land, and history. The story is set in the vast, flat plains of rural Queensland, Australia, where the landscape is as harsh and unforgiving as the human relationships that play out upon it. The novel centers around five-year-old William, who is sent to live with his reclusive and enigmatic grandfather, Henry, on his vast sheep station, "Palm Creek." William's mother has recently died, and his father, a struggling artist, is unable to care for him. William is initially enchanted by the beauty and mystery of the station, but he soon discovers that it is a place haunted by the ghosts of the past. Henry is a man consumed by his obsession with the land, and he sees himself as the rightful owner of not just Palm Creek, but of all the land that surrounds it. He is determined to hold onto it at any cost, even as the world around him changes and the value of the land becomes more and more uncertain. As William grows older, he becomes increasingly aware of the dark secrets that lie at the heart of his family's history, and of the brutal violence that has been perpetrated in the name of land ownership. The novel builds to a devastating climax, as William is forced to confront the true cost of his grandfather's obsession. "The White Earth" is a beautifully written and deeply moving novel that grapples with some of the most profound and enduring themes of Australian literature. It is a powerful exploration of the relationship between people and the land, and a searing indictment of the violence and injustice that has been perpetrated in the name of ownership. At its heart, it is a novel about the human capacity for both love and destruction, and the delicate balance between them...
List of books similar to "The White Earth":
M.L. Stedman
The Light Between Oceans
Like 'The White Earth', this novel explores themes of land, sea, and identity. Set in a lighthouse on a remote island off the coast of Western Australia, the story follows a lighthouse keeper and his wife as they make a decision that changes their lives forever.
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Colleen McCullough
The Thorn Birds
Set in the vast landscape of the Australian outback, this novel shares the sweeping scope and epic storytelling of 'The White Earth'. The novel follows the lives of the Cleary family as they navigate love, loss, and ambition over several generations.
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Kate Grenville
The Secret River
Like 'The White Earth', this novel explores the relationship between the European settlers and the Indigenous people of Australia. The story follows a convict who is transported to Australia and must navigate the challenges of the new land and its people.
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Markus Zusak
The Book Thief
While not set in Australia, this novel shares the themes of isolation and the power of words with 'The White Earth'. The story is narrated by Death and follows a young girl in Nazi Germany who steals books to share with others.
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Barbara Kingsolver
The Poisonwood Bible
Like 'The White Earth', this novel explores the impact of colonialism and the clash of cultures. The story follows an evangelical Baptist minister who moves his family to the Belgian Congo in 1959 and the consequences that follow.
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F. Scott Fitzgerald
The Great Gatsby
While not sharing the same rural setting as 'The White Earth', this novel explores themes of class, wealth, and the American Dream. The story follows Nick Carraway as he becomes entangled in the world of his wealthy neighbor, Jay Gatsby.
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Khaled Hosseini
The Kite Runner
Like 'The White Earth', this novel explores themes of guilt, redemption, and the impact of the past on the present. The story follows Amir, a young Afghan boy, as he navigates his relationship with his best friend and the consequences of his actions.
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Cormac McCarthy
The Road
Like 'The White Earth', this novel explores themes of isolation, survival, and the bond between father and son. The story follows a father and son as they journey through a post-apocalyptic world, searching for safety and hope.
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John Steinbeck
The Grapes of Wrath
Like 'The White Earth', this novel explores themes of poverty, struggle, and the human spirit. The story follows the Joad family as they travel from the Dust Bowl of Oklahoma to California in search of a better life.
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J.D. Salinger
The Catcher in the Rye
Like 'The White Earth', this novel explores themes of isolation, identity, and the challenges of growing up. The story follows Holden Caulfield as he navigates the world after being expelled from his prep school.
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