Black Diamonds

By: Kim Kelly

Narrated by: Amanda Harrison, Cameron Moore

It is 1914 and Lithgow is booming. Daniel is a young German-Australian, a coalminer and a socialist; Francine is the bourgeois, Irish-Catholic, too-good-for-this-place daughter of one of the mine's owners. When their paths collide, they fall in love despite themselves – raising eyebrows all around town. But before the signatures on their marriage certificate are dry, war erupts, confronting them with a new and much more terrifying obstacle. Against his principles but driven by a sense of solidarity, Daniel enlists; Francine, horrified, has no choice but to support him. As they hurtle towards a daunting world of war, separation and grief, they learn things about themselves and one another that they would never have expected in more certain times – about heroism, sacrifice, the thin line between courage and stupidity, and, most of all, about the magical power of love. Told with freshness, verve and humour, Black Diamonds is a celebration of two people determined to be together, whatever life throws at them.©2007 Kim Kelly (P)2019 Bolinda Publishing

Critic reviews

'This is the story of a love greatly tested and of the resilience of ordinary Australians sucked into a pointless war by propaganda. It's enough to turn you into a war protester.' (Australian Women's Weekly)

'Colourful, evocative and energetic.' (Sydney Morning Herald)