Jocelyn's Journey
Description
Jocelyn’s journey begins as a stony rutted track heading nowhere as she faces the grim reality of her husband’s death. Jack, a Christian Aboriginal, himself a widower with a young child, walks beside her in her grief, sharing his faith and easing her burden.
In her journey Jocelyn is confronted by her own latent racism, judgemental attitudes and selfishness which she struggles to deal with. Learning that Jack was a ‘stolen child,’ she comes face-to-face with the brutal realities of Australia’s past treatment of its indigenous people and the legacy of suffering they still endure. Flashbacks take the reader into Australian pioneer, and Kamilaroi history.
As she travels the trails of pain and suffering with Jack's birth family, Jocelyn learns that the only way to reconciliation, giving and accepting real forgiveness, and coping with and overcoming life's injustices and frustrations comes from a deep relationship with God.
Jocelyn's journey towards recovery and purpose in life again takes some strange twists and turns; directions she could never have foreseen. The last leg of the journey, and the beginning of a whole new journey, brings her to a stunned standstill when she discovers the strange secret of her own past.
Jocelyn's Journey has had very positive reviews from all readers. It has been highly acclaimed by several high school librarians and has been added to the recommended reading lists of about 20 local high schools, public, Catholic, private and Christian.
Reviews:
"What a story! I started the first chapter with an evening cuppa just before bed and….. several hours later realised how late it was. I was captivated by the unfolding drama. A story of God’s love triumphing over tragedy and loss, racism and despair in contemporary black and white Australia. The Gospel is well integrated into the story, and is presented as a natural part of those peoples lives that believe in it. Aboriginal issues are dealt with sensitively and honestly with the author’s experience shining through. It is a compelling, detailed and authentic story. Highly recommended, suitable for readers from middle high school and anyone who enjoys a great read."
Peter Charles, High School Librarian.
“………Composed in captivating narrative and compelling dialogue, the story flows at a brisk tempo. The plot contains more than a few strategically placed, unexpected twists that should maintain the reader’s interest throughout. The characters are developed and presented in a multi-dimensional fashion revealing the intricacies of their unique personalities and individual agendas. In addition, Ms. Fraser effectively manages to avoid artificially padding the work with superfluous material and unnecessary characters, thereby keeping the focus directed towards the primary storyline. Navigating the plot to a well-conceived and logical conclusion, the author could leave the reader with the sense of time well invested in the reading of this story.
Caroline Fraser’s highly descriptive style of writing combined with a keen attention to detail could further enhance the appeal of this work.â€
Extract from Reading Report of Jocelyn’s Journey for Dorrance Publishing Co.
“A really great read, opened my eyes a lot.â€
Robyn Barrs – Windsor
In her journey Jocelyn is confronted by her own latent racism, judgemental attitudes and selfishness which she struggles to deal with. Learning that Jack was a ‘stolen child,’ she comes face-to-face with the brutal realities of Australia’s past treatment of its indigenous people and the legacy of suffering they still endure. Flashbacks take the reader into Australian pioneer, and Kamilaroi history.
As she travels the trails of pain and suffering with Jack's birth family, Jocelyn learns that the only way to reconciliation, giving and accepting real forgiveness, and coping with and overcoming life's injustices and frustrations comes from a deep relationship with God.
Jocelyn's journey towards recovery and purpose in life again takes some strange twists and turns; directions she could never have foreseen. The last leg of the journey, and the beginning of a whole new journey, brings her to a stunned standstill when she discovers the strange secret of her own past.
Jocelyn's Journey has had very positive reviews from all readers. It has been highly acclaimed by several high school librarians and has been added to the recommended reading lists of about 20 local high schools, public, Catholic, private and Christian.
Reviews:
"What a story! I started the first chapter with an evening cuppa just before bed and….. several hours later realised how late it was. I was captivated by the unfolding drama. A story of God’s love triumphing over tragedy and loss, racism and despair in contemporary black and white Australia. The Gospel is well integrated into the story, and is presented as a natural part of those peoples lives that believe in it. Aboriginal issues are dealt with sensitively and honestly with the author’s experience shining through. It is a compelling, detailed and authentic story. Highly recommended, suitable for readers from middle high school and anyone who enjoys a great read."
Peter Charles, High School Librarian.
“………Composed in captivating narrative and compelling dialogue, the story flows at a brisk tempo. The plot contains more than a few strategically placed, unexpected twists that should maintain the reader’s interest throughout. The characters are developed and presented in a multi-dimensional fashion revealing the intricacies of their unique personalities and individual agendas. In addition, Ms. Fraser effectively manages to avoid artificially padding the work with superfluous material and unnecessary characters, thereby keeping the focus directed towards the primary storyline. Navigating the plot to a well-conceived and logical conclusion, the author could leave the reader with the sense of time well invested in the reading of this story.
Caroline Fraser’s highly descriptive style of writing combined with a keen attention to detail could further enhance the appeal of this work.â€
Extract from Reading Report of Jocelyn’s Journey for Dorrance Publishing Co.
“A really great read, opened my eyes a lot.â€
Robyn Barrs – Windsor
