A Bitter Harvest

by Peter Yeldham

Senator William Patterson, wealthy and influential, hides a scandal from his past that could ruin him. Stefan Muller, a young penniless immigrant, seeks a promised new life in a land that does not welcome him. When the senator's cherished daughter Elizabeth falls in love with the impoverished Stefan, it creates a family conflict that threatens to destroy them.

From a tumultuous and vibrant Sydney to the lyrical landscape of the Barossa Valley, A Bitter Harvest is an epic saga of prejudice, political turmoil and lasting love from one of Australia's favourite storytellers.

Genres: Fiction

582 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

Peter Yeldham has been a writer since the age of seventeen, when he wrote short stories and radio scripts. He went to England, intending to stay a year and stayed nearly twenty, writing for British television in the nineteen sixties, then feature films and stage plays, including the highly successful “Birds on the Wing” and “Fringe Benefits” which ran for two years in Paris. He has written another five plays for the theatre and collaborated on the musical “Seven Little Australians.”

His Australian work includes numerous mini-series, among them 1915, Captain James Cook, The Alien Years, All the Rivers Run, The Heroes, Heroes ll – The Return, The Far Country, Run from the Morning, The Timeless Land, Ride on Stranger and The Battlers. He adapted Bryce Courtenay’s novel Jessica which won the 2005 Logie award for best mini-series. He is the author of eight previous novels, which include A Bitter Harvest, Without Warning, The Currency Lads, Against The Tide, and The Murrumbidgee Kid.

In 1991 he received an Order of Australia Medal for achievement in film and television, and in 2003 a Centenary Medal for services to Australian writing. Industry honours include six Australian Writing Awards, a British Guild Award , and a nomination for an International Emmy for his television drama, Captain James Cook.

Reviews

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m embarrassed to admit that I had no knowledge of the interments & disgusting treatment of Germans during WW1. This book opened my eyes to the sad prejudice and suffering they endured. It was my introduction to the author Peter Yeldham - a book that I devoured and had real trouble putting down. I’m looking forward to reading many more of his books.

[Sara French · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like the story and all the characters, but felt there was too much factual detail about politics for me. I would recommend other Peter Yeldham books over this one.

[Anna Blackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Without a doubt one of the best books I have ever read. Peter created such a beautiful and moving story that spanned over generations. Peter's depiciton of life for German immigrants in Australia during the First World War was heart-breaking and gave me a new perspective of the country I have grown up in.

I cannot reccommend this book highly enough, it was truly beautiful and will stay with me forever.

Read my blog review here: http://annablackie.com/?p=218

[Raf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Throw a few skulls on the cover and I'd be more interested in them look of it at least.....

[Sarah Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story! Awesome author!!