A Changing Land

Nicole Alexander's bestselling rural novel, A Changing Land , tells of one woman's fight to keep the farm that has been in her family for generations.

It's the early 1900s and Hamish Gordon has a massive rural holding, Wangallon, built on stock theft. Embarking on a ruthless plan to buy out his neighbours, Hamish's actions test the loyalties of his family and will have serious repercussions for generations to come.

In the late 1980s, Sarah Gordon now runs Wangallon with her fiancé, Anthony. Their relationship begins to deteriorate when a power struggle develops between them and escalates with the arrival of Sarah's Scottish half-brother, Jim Macken, who is intent on receiving his inheritance ...

Unable to buy Jim out and with the possibility of losing part of Wangallon, Sarah finds herself fighting the law, her half-brother and Anthony. Will she jeopardise her own happiness to keep the Gordon legacy alive?

Reading Group Book Questions

1. Succession planning (the passing on of the family property to the next generation) is a major issue in Australian agriculture. In A Changing Land a strong succession plan is vital to Wangallon’s longevity. Do you believe Sarah has a right to be offended when she learns on her grandfather’s passing that she must share the property with others?
2. A family secret dating back to his own father’s time lies at the heart of Angus Gordon’s decision to bequeath thirty percent of Wangallon to Sarah’s Scottish halfbrother. What is it? And why does Angus’s benevolence towards Jim Macken seem at odds with his personality?
3. Do you agree with Anthony’s decision not to tell Sarah immediately of his development plans? Does he have a right to be angry with Sarah’s denouncement of his plans or is his thinking too black and white?
4. Sarah feels the weight of responsibility regarding Wangallon and is especially cognizant of those forefathers who have walked the same land before her. Is she driven by birthright or an all-encompassing love of the land when it comes to protecting Wangallon?
5. Through Shelley’s eyes we see her concern for Sarah and her isolated life. What are some of the advantages and disadvantages that Sarah experiences living in the outback?