Andrew Lemon AM has published widely in Australian history, winning literary and historical awards and commendations. He is best known known for his epic three volume ‘The History of Australian Thoroughbred Racing’. His co-authored ‘Poor Souls, They Perished’ won the Fellowship of Australian Writers’ Wilke Award, and ‘The Master Gardener’ was long-listed for the 2018 Mark and Evette Moran Nib Literary Award. In 2012 he was a John Daniels Research Fellow at the National Sporting Library and Museum at Middleburg, Virginia USA. A past president of the Royal Historical Society of Victoria, Andrew holds the degrees of Master of Arts and Doctor of Letters from the University of Melbourne. This is his first novel.

Vernon Lee Walker, a young Englishman from industrial Wolverhampton, meets his death on a beach on Pentecost Island in the South Pacific on the eve of Christmas 1887.
Why did Vernon die, in what circumstances, and who was responsible? Was he, as once branded, simply a ‘bad colonist’? Or was he a candide, an innocent abroad, mixing invisibly with the rich and famous, manipulated by a calculating brother, unable to change the world around him?
An historian finds Vernon’s letters home to England, spanning a dozen years. With decreasing frequency, these follow his trajectory, first in Melbourne and Sydney, then as he yields to the spell of the Pacific. But what happens between the lines? Does he fall in love with his brother’s wife? What does a boy not tell his mother?
The novelist steps in. This is a unique fusion of authentic history and informed invention – a tragic story of colonialism in Australia and the Pacific, told with compassion, humour and a deep understanding of time and place.

‘Original, authentic, beautifully written, a page turner. One of the best books we’ve read in ages. A prize winner – quite different, a standout performance.’ – Vicki Steggall, writer, historian, author of The Goannas of No.1 Martin Place
‘A rich, generous book and its scholarly underpinning is impressive.’ – Dr Brenda Niall AO, FAHA, Australian biographer, literary critic and journalist

Venue:  Edendale Farm, 30 Gastons Road, Eltham (There is ample free car parking).

Proof of double vaccination for everyone over 18 is required before entry to Edendale Farm.

Time: SUNDAY 6 MARCH 2.00pm until 3.30pm

Entry: $35 PER PERSON (or $40 for couples)
Price includes one signed copy of the book or a $30 book voucher for Eltham Bookshop redeemable any time (stall available at the event) and light refreshments.

If you are not attending this event and would like to buy a copy of Andrew’s book, the RHSV bookshop have stock

The Pebbled Beach at Pentecost: A Novel by Andrew Lemon

PREPAID BOOKINGS ARE ESSENTIAL: ELTHAM bookshop 970 Main Road Eltham.

Book here: https://elthambookshop.com.au/p/kalynn-bayron-event?barcode=CIR1644019360&selected_category=98463
Tel: (03) 9439 8700. Email books@elthambookshop.com.au