Books like The Dreaming by Barbara Wood

Set in 1871 Australia, Joanna Drury travels from India to Melbourne after her mother’s death to claim the property left to her. On arrival she meets a lost boy who leads her to Hugh Westbrook, owner of the sheep station Merinda. Joanna agrees to care for the boy, Adam, in exchange for help locating her inheritance. As she settles, she falls deeply in love with Hugh and the land. Suddenly nightmares begin to haunt her, echoing those that tormented her mother. Joanna notices the Aborigines’ strange reactions and learns that the dreams she sees are linked to their lore of the Dreaming. Determined to uncover her family’s past, she investigates the tragic events that have defined her lineage and the nation’s history. The novel blends historical detail with the clash between immigrant and Aboriginal cultures, creating a rich tapestry of danger, mystery, and romance. Wood’s narrative foregrounds the complex relationship between settlers and Indigenous peoples, exploring identity, belonging, and the enduring influence of ancestral lore in a rapidly changing Australia.

First publish date: 1991