MOUNT Gambier residents will hear first-hand from the author of best-selling book The Dressmaker as Rosalie Ham tours the city later this month with her latest book, The Year of the Farmer.
Ms Ham will discuss her new book as well as her Hollywood blockbuster hit at an event from 7pm on February 14 at the Mount Gambier Library.
The Australian author shot to fame with her debut novel and is now a household name after the award-winning film of the same name was released, which stars Kate Winslet, Liam Hemsworth, Judy Davis and Hugo Weaving.
Described as a story of survival, love and justice, Ms Ham’s sophomore novel is based in a country town at war with the elements and one another.
Ms Ham said her stories are written from the heart and from her experiences of being born and raised in Jerilderie, New South Wales.
“Being a farmer’s daughter, I would swim in creeks and irrigation channels, ride a horse behind a slow moving flock of ewes, roustabout – I even learned to drive at the age of nine so I could help with the cutting and other slow-moving country life driving tasks,” she said.
Library programming team leader Kristi Leamey said the new novel focuses on a young farmer named Mitch who is “desperately trying to make a success of his farm, on drought-stricken land.”
“But it’s not only the weather that is conspiring to ruin him,” she said.
“One enemy is the local water board, who are more interested in filling the local lake to get business and tourist dollars than helping the local farmers.
“The other enemy is under his roof, Mandy, his wife from hell who threatens to ruin him unless she gets what she wants.”
Both books will be discussed and the audience will have the opportunity to ask questions about the Hollywood movie.
The event will coincide with Library Lovers Day, a national incentive that celebrates all things that libraries offer to the community.
Tickets for the event are $6 and are available from the library.
