The Water Diviner

By: Andrew Anastasios, Meaghan Wilson-Anastasios

Narrated by: Jack Thompson

When the Great War ends, Joshua Connor, a grieving farmer and sometime water diviner from the Mallee in Victoria, sets out to fulfil his wife's dying wish – to travel to Gallipoli to recover the bodies of his three sons and bury them in consecrated ground.

Crescent collides with cross, and hope with reason as he discovers that his eldest son, Art, may still be alive. When Connor makes a desperate dash into the perilous heart of Anatolia one question haunts him: if Art is alive, why hasn't he come home?

This is not a war novel, not even an anti-war novel. Instead it focuses on the battles that go on inside the hearts and minds of a small group of Australians and Turks as they struggle to bury their dead and rebuild their lives after the First World War. The story is based on first-hand resources, diaries and official records.

©2014 Andrew Anastasios (P)2014 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd

Critic reviews

"Veteran Australian actor Jack Thompson narrates his first audiobook with dazzling success.... Thompson's subtle performance expresses the fierce passions of the characters with powerful resonance. The audiobook simply sweeps you up and tangles you in an extraordinary story.... Powerful to the end, this is a listening saga that stays with you." (AudioFile)

An engrossing story

A very good listen that taught me some history!
There were some graphic injury descriptions. The characters were thoroughly enjoyable.

Beautiful

This is a beautifully written story about the commonalities in our differences. Men and women, Muslims and Christians, soldiers and civilians...loss, love, tenderness, and hatred follow no such divisionss.

Excellent

The narration was very well done. As a Canadian listening to this Australian story with the clear but true Australian accent made this good story an excellent one.

Emotional Odyssey

The whole thing was a journey of experience. Just when you think you know the tone, a chapter changes the way you feel, which isn't a bad thing. Without a doubt, the confession towards the end was the most heartwrenching part of the whole experience but is quickly overshadowed by the books final resolution. This is truly a fantastic tale of loss and renewal. Loved it

slow start building to great heights

Had trouble getting started but it was worth the effort. Painfully beautiful story of the horror of war followed by a love born from loss.