A FEW RIGHT THINKING MEN

A Few Right Thinking Men is the first book in the Rowland Sinclair series by award-winning Australian author, Sulari Gentill. When gentleman artist Rowland Sinclair's favourite uncle dies following a savage beating in his own home, the police seem fixated on his elderly housekeeper at the expense of doing any real investigating. Information volunteered by the victim of a similar attack leads Rowly to suspect that it's the work of the New Guard, the face of an increasing fascist presence in the country, but his uncle wasn't a communist, Rowly was certain, so why was he targeted?

With his quirky artistic friends (Edna the sculptress, Milton the poet and Clyde the artist), he devises a clever, if perhaps dangerous, way to learn more about those he suspects. But then it comes to light that his old uncle had a certain asset indicating an unsavoury connection, which muddies the waters a bit.

Soon, he finds himself, much to his older brother's disapproval, deeply involved in what looks like becoming a civil war. When ultimately, they do discover who was responsible for the attack, Rowly and co are a little slow to figure out the why of it, and then events overtake them before they have time to react.

Gentill gives the reader an excellent plot with an exciting climax and a believable ending. While none are perfect, most of Gentill's characters are endearing, with a few despicable ones to even things out. And of course, there's Rowland: an appealing, can-do sort of guy, intelligent, a bit unconventional but full of integrity, which is reflected by loyalty of the friends he attracts.

Quotes from press articles of the time that preface many of the chapters cleverly serve the dual purpose of providing some of the background political climate and giving the reader a clear timeline of events.

Gentill's extensive research is apparent on every page, but this is no dry history lesson: the facts drop into the story unobtrusively; there's also plenty of humour, especially in the banter between the friends. And she bestows on the reader a front-row seat for an infamous event of 1932.

As always, Gentill captures the era perfectly. This is a superb dose of Australian historical fiction, and readers who enjoy it will be pleased to know they can look forward to a further eight (at least) instalments of this award-winning series, beginning with A Decline In Prophets.

A Few Right Thinking Men is the first book in the Rowland Sinclair series by award-winning Australian author, Sulari Gentill. When gentleman artist Rowland Sinclair's favourite uncle dies following a savage beating in his own home, the police seem fixated on his elderly housekeeper at the expense of doing any real investigating. Information volunteered by the victim of a similar attack leads Rowly to suspect that it's the work of the New Guard, the face of an increasing fascist presence in the country, but his uncle wasn't a communist, Rowly was certain, so why was he targeted?

With his quirky artistic friends (Edna the sculptress, Milton the poet and Clyde the artist), he devises a clever, if perhaps dangerous, way to learn more about those he suspects. But then it comes to light that his old uncle had a certain asset indicating an unsavoury connection, which muddies the waters a bit.

Soon, he finds himself, much to his older brother's disapproval, deeply involved in what looks like becoming a civil war. When ultimately, they do discover who was responsible for the attack, Rowly and co are a little slow to figure out the why of it, and then events overtake them before they have time to react.

Gentill gives the reader an excellent plot with an exciting climax and a believable ending. While none are perfect, most of Gentill's characters are endearing, with a few despicable ones to even things out. And of course, there's Rowland: an appealing, can-do sort of guy, intelligent, a bit unconventional but full of integrity, which is reflected by loyalty of the friends he attracts.

Quotes from press articles of the time that preface many of the chapters cleverly serve the dual purpose of providing some of the background political climate and giving the reader a clear timeline of events.

Gentill's extensive research is apparent on every page, but this is no dry history lesson: the facts drop into the story unobtrusively; there's also plenty of humour, especially in the banter between the friends. And she bestows on the reader a front-row seat for an infamous event of 1932.

As always, Gentill captures the era perfectly. This is a superb dose of Australian historical fiction, and readers who enjoy it will be pleased to know they can look forward to a further eight (at least) instalments of this award-winning series, beginning with A Decline In Prophets.

I was given this book as a gift; I have no working knowledge of Australian history, so I felt a little intimidated, but that disappeared as soon as I read, "Rowland wiped his hands on his waistcoat. Not so many months ago, it had been a quality item of gentleman's attire. Now, it was stained with paint and smelled of turpentine. Rowland preferred it that way. He looked again at the painting with which he had battled all day and which, in the end, had defeated him."This is Rowland Sinclair, a young, compelling man possessing eyes of intense blue, incredibly generous and friendly, open-minded, casual, a committed artist, who yearns for the love of the bohemian sculptress, Edna, but keeps his mouth shut about it. He's thrown open his house to Edna and other artists who have fallen on hard times during the 30s Depression, for his family comes from wealth and status. Rowland, the embarrassment of his right-thinking brother, lives life as he wants to live it, rather than obeying the rules attached to the higher classes. He doesn't realize until he's fallen deep into the pit how history will affect him personally, will drag him into the thick of things, although his only desire is to live life in peace and acceptance of others, whatever their beliefs.It all begins when his friend, Milton, drags him to a Communist meeting. From there the reader is pulled into history with Rowland; we delve into the New Guard, a fascist group run by the historical figure, Eric Campbell, who, along with his compatriots, want to turn Australia into a fascist state. Then there's the Old Guard, the original group from which Campbell split, the group loyal to King and Country, Traditionalists all.Against the backdrop of this history, (impeccably researched) we flow along with Rowland and his friends as they try to get to the bottom of a brutal murder, and end up discovering more than they ever dreamed of. Their very lives fall into jeopardy as the politics of the times overtakes and surrounds them.One of the highlights for me was the wit, the humor, and the dialogue between these characters. This is all masterful, and I was guffawing even in the midst of a grim reality that could have ultimately changed Australia from the lovable place we know (albeit filled with the world's most poisonous snakes and spiders, not to mention crocs and jellyfish) to a place of dictatorship. Thank God that didn't happen!Quotes: "You don't need to worry about my discretion, Wil," Rowland said angrily. "I'm not about to tell anyone that my brother is raising some clandestine, tweed-jacketed army because he thinks Stalin is heading south!""Ernest nodded solemnly. "Are you going to see the King?""Shall I give him your regards?""Don't be silly, Uncle Rowly, King George has his own guards...with big furry black hats.""Civil war! Who would..." Milton clapped his hand on his forehead in realisation. "Bloody Catholics! I knew the Tykes were planning something...all that bloody Hail Marying!"Clyde, who was a Catholic of sorts, clipped the side of Milton's head as he got up to refill his glass.As far as the romance between Rowland and Edna...well, I'll let the reader discover that for him or herself. A Few Right Thinking Men could have been a dark account, almost a documentary, one event leading into the next. But the addition of Rowly, Wilfred, Ernest, Kate, Edna, Clyde and especially Milt (I love him) and their enduring friendship, the barely contained romance (which is masterfully done,) draws one in and makes this a story where the reader is completely invested in the lives, emotions, and outcomes of these people. From the first page to the last, everything flows, woven perfectly, so that we see the big picture of Australian politics in the 30s along with the microcosm of Rowland's life, friendships and family. A Few Right Thinking Men merely introduces Rowland and his friends. Rowland's adventures, I'm happy to report, will continue on in future books.

A Few Right Thinking Men is the first in the Rowland Sinclair series. Set in New South Wales in the 1930s, this series evokes a fascinating time in Australia's history. Sinclair, the youngest son of a wealthy land owning family and an artist with a preference for the Bohemian lifestyle is perfectly placed to rub shoulders with all stratas of society. The focus of this book is the burgeoning right wing fascist movement in Australia. In the grip of the Depression, Australian politics was polarised like never before. On one side are the right wing fascists and the other the growing Communist party. In between are the bohemian artists, the poverty stricken unemployed, and the razor gangs and criminals. Gentil has done a superb job in bringing this era to vivid life. I enjoyed this book so much that I was left wondering why it has taken me so long to get around to reading it. I won't wait as long to read the next one that's for sure.