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by Cynan Lewis (Author)
Shaped of Granite is a novel that traces the history of the Granite Belt region of Queensland over the last century. While the central characters are fictitious, they draw on the experiences of real people and there is some reference to historical figures. The novel begins with the tragedy of the First World War, which shaped the lives of soldier settlers. The migration of Italian families and their profound influence on the region is celebrated. The development of the horticultural and wine industries provides a background for many fascinating aspects of Granite Belt history. These include the sanatorium for tuberculosis patients; the visit of the Prince of Wales to the Pikedale settlement; the contribution of the 25th Battalion, the Darling Downs Regiment, at the Battle of Milne Bay and the advent of the Apple and Grape Harvest Festival. The effect of world events, such as the Spanish flu pandemic and the Great Depression, and cultural phenomena such as Don Bradman and Phar Lap, are viewed through the eyes of the novel's characters. Themes include the pathos and waste of war, the regrettable history of racial prejudice directed towards Indigenous people and migrants and the tenacity, resourcefulness and resilience of the people that have made the Granite Belt region their home.
