Mitch is the farmer but it definitely is not his year. He is fighting wars on many fronts. As well as all the usual problems that farmers face – drought, rain at the wrong time for their crops, attacks on their sheep by feral dogs – he also has to fight the extremely self-serving local water board that is dividing the community. On top of all that, Mitch has rushed into a disastrous marriage with Mandy who has no interest in the workings of the farm and no sexual interest in Mitch, only in the share of his property. When Mitch’s childhood sweetheart and true love, Nerilie, comes back from Sydney, Mitch realises his dilemma. Mandy stages many evil, devious events to try to ruin their lives, which turns everyone against her. It’s a dramatic, poignant but often amusing romp with a mystifying, unpredictable end.

Rosalie Ham, author of The Dressmaker, was born and raised in Jerilderie, NSW, where her family still farm, so she portrays the importance of farmers and their problems with deep empathy. Ham’s animal characters have intense feelings that vividly add to the drama. In the drought, Mitch’s two donkeys sniff the ground in case a passing vehicle has dropped any hay by accident.

Even though I found it challenging to care about all the characters in the community at the same level as I cared about Mitch, Mandy, Nerilie and the animals, I was completely involved in every event, and my appreciation of farmers and their environmental struggles increased. This timely novel will resonate with country and city folk alike.

Reviewed by Judith Grace