The history of Tasmania is at the heart of a new novel by Bardwell Valley author Jennifer Livett.
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Wild Island follows the story of former Lieutenant Governor of Van Diemen’s Land Sir John Franklin’s exploration and empire and links it with Jane Eyre’s iconic love story.
Ms Livett said the seed for the book was planted when she read that Captain Booth had been stationed in the West Indies when Jane Eyre’s Edward Rochester and Bertha Mason would have been married.
“I began to think about how secrets might travel across the world from colony to colony as the regiments were posted,’’ she said.
Her debut novel was a long time coming- the idea first came to her as a child living in Tasmania
“People know bits and pieces of the history but I’ve not read anything that puts it in a chronological order,’’ she said.
“I wanted to make an adventure story while still staying true to the history.
“They are just fascinating people. They weren’t just focused on the convicts but they did mapping and collected seaweed to study.
‘’It was a harsh way of life but I found a different side to it.’’
After spending decades writing the book on and off she said she was elated when it was published in August.
‘’I was absolutely elated. I was euphoric,’’ she said.
She recently returned home after launching the book in Tasmania and is already planning a second novel that looks at contemporary life in Tasmania.
‘’When you grow up in a place you really get to know it,’’ she said.
‘’Even after living in Sydney for 9 years I still consider Tasmania home.
‘’I think I’ve still got a lot more to say about Tasmania.’’
