By KATH GANNAWAY
LANDING in Australia reignited a passion for writing in East Warburton author Barbara Gaskell Denvil.
Sixteen years down the track and at 68 years of age, she has released her first major novel.
Sumerford’s Autumn, an historical novel that draws on another passion, Medieval history, will be launched on Wednesday, 7 August at Yarra Junction Library.
Hailed by publisher Simon and Schuster as “the best new voice in historical fiction”, Barbara told the Mail that surrounded by garden with views to the hills beyond was a beautiful environment in which to write.
“Most of the time it’s just birdsong and me clashing away on the computer,” she said.
The result is a book she describes as a large medieval adventure with mystery, romance and a lot of history.
“I have a passion for medieval history and having lived most of my life in England you stumble across it everywhere,” she said.
“History is a very living thing, and if you already have an interest, as I did, it is a wonderfully rich resource.”
Her books (she has self-published other books) are noted for the detail, historical accuracy and strong characterisation.
Writing had been a part of Barbara’s life in her younger years, before what she intriguingly calls “my big romantic interlude”.
She worked for publishers, wrote numerous articles and short stories, lived in several European countries and on boats in the Mediterranean for years and years; and stopped writing.
“After I decided to come and live in Australia I found I wanted to write again,” she said.
The prize, Sumerford’s Autumn, will be launched at a meet-the-author session and lunch at Yarra Junction Library at 12.15pm on Wednesday. Phone 5967 1588 to book a place.
