Marlene’s fascination with unique and exotic settings provides the reader with a rare insight into aspects of life in the Australian territory of Papua, post-WWII Sydney and life in the Outback at a time when the Australian cotton industry was in its infancy. Very few novels have been set in Papua New Guinea and the relationship between local men and white women rarely explored outside of biographical and academic literature. Ruth deals with issues that would have been scandalous at the time but it is Ruth’s courage that emerges as the star of the story. The grit and determination that this young girl finds within herself is not only an inspiration but a tribute to motherhood. It is a story about unusual places and remarkable events but it is fundamentally a story about growing up and what courage that often demands. Marlene’s ‘felt life’ style of writing ensures we are there with Ruth as she deals with life’s calamities, but more satisfying, we are uplifted along with Ruth when she succeeds. Marlene’s inspiration for Ruth has been the natural warrior inside all women, and how, for our children, we can deal with anything.