Fern Vale; or, the Queensland Squatter. Volume 2

"Fern Vale; or, the Queensland Squatter. Volume 2" by Colin Munro is a narrative set in 19th-century Queensland, Australia, where settlers like John Ferguson grapple with their interactions and clashes with the Indigenous population amidst a backdrop of colonialism and social order. Ferguson, seemingly the central figure, finds himself at odds with the attitudes of his peers, such as Tom Rainsfield, whose mistreatment of the Indigenous people sparks conflict and exposes the ingrained prejudices of the time. The story opens with a glimpse into the settlers' world through their observations of a kipper corroboree, setting the stage for explorations of race, identity, and personal relationships as Ferguson confronts the moral complexities associated with settling in a new land.