The Parklands trilogy was written before the surge of dystopian and apocalyptic YA books that now fill our YA book shelves. They gave me an insight into the world of paranormal and fantasy writing. These books had a strong impact on my early writing days. Still travelling down memory lane but not as far back as Katherine takes us, the next book on my list is from a trilogy called Parklands, published more than twenty years ago. This epic novel of conflict, cruelty, and untamable love has become a classic since its first publication in 1954.” * * * * * * * * * * * * Parklands Trilogy by Victor Kelleher Their well-documented affair and love persist through decades of war, adultery, murder, loneliness, and redemption. Within this era of danger and romance, John of Gaunt, the king’s son, falls passionately in love with the already married Katherine. Set in the vibrant 14th century of Chaucer and the Black Death, the story features knights fighting in battle, serfs struggling in poverty, and the magnificent Plantagenets-Edward III, the Black Prince, and Richard II-who ruled despotically over a court rotten with intrigue. More narrative and less dialogue.įrom Goodreads: “This classic romance novel tells the true story of the love affair that changed history-that of Katherine Swynford and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, the ancestors of most of the British royal family. Many books from my teen years were like that. I’m not sure how it would be received today as there are long pages of description that sets the scene, the tone, and puts you right there in the historical period, but today those long passages might appear as if nothing much is happening. Kelleher has won many awards for his books, such as the Australian Children's Book Award.KATHERINE by Anya Seton was written over 60 years ago. Many of the books he has written have been based on his childhood and his travels in Africa.

After receiving a grant from the Australia Council Literature Board, Kelleher spent six months of 1996 at the Kessing Writers' Studio in Paris.

He moved to Australia in 1976, with his South African wife, Alison, and was associate professor at the University of New England, in Armidale, New South Wales, before moving to Sydney to write full-time.

While in New Zealand, he began writing part-time, prompted by homesickness for Africa. He has taught in Africa, New Zealand and Australia. in English Literature from The University of South Africa. Kelleher received a Masters from St Andrew's University and a Ph.D. He spent the next twenty years travelling and studying in Africa, before moving to New Zealand. Kelleher was born in London and moved to Africa with his parents, at the age of fifteen. Victor Kelleher (born 1939) is an Australian author.

Earthsong by Victor Kelleher