Description of book
‘I need to write down what has just happened. I need to set down the truth. If I write lies or if I write nothing at all, this journal is worthless. I must do this, in case anything happens. All right. This is what happened tonight, every single terrible thing that I can remember . . .’
Sophie FitzOsborne lives in a crumbling castle in the tiny island kingdom of Montmaray, along with her tomboy younger sister Henry, her beautiful, intellectual cousin Veronica, and Veronica's father, the completely mad King John.
When Sophie receives a leather-bound journal for her sixteenth birthday, she decides to write about her day-to-day life on the island. But it is 1936 and the world is in turmoil. Does the arrival of two strangers threaten everything Sophie holds dear?
From Sophie's charming and lively observations to a nailbiting, unputdownable ending, this is a book to be treasured.
Reviews
* Winner of the Ethel Turner Prize for young people's literature in the NSW Premier's Awards 2009
* Shortlisted for the Golden Inky Award (Australian Centre for Youth Literature)
* 'Bittersweet and delectable, this book deserves to be an instant classic. Sophie is one of the most charming narrators since I CAPTURE THE CASTLE.' Kate Forsyth, bestselling author of the Rhiannon’s Ride series
* 'Once in a while, a special book will cross our paths and make us grateful for life and the ability to read. Such a book should be celebrated and used to teach in schools. No, I'm not talking about the Bible or the Koran. I'm talking about A BRIEF HISTORY OF MONTMARAY by Michelle Cooper. I'm calling her Australia's next stroke of literary brilliance.’
* 'The ending was amazing, I couldn't put it down! I thought it was really cleverly planned with lots of unexpected extra twists. I loved all the characters, Sophia so strong, Veronica so opinionated and brave, and Henry so determined.' Brigitte, age 12, Random House Book Buddies Club
* 'A gripping and exciting novel. I was trapped in its wonderful story from beginning to end.' Olivia, age 12, Random House Book Buddies Club
* 'This book was very very good! It was a real page-turner.' Lucinda, age 11, Random House Book Buddies Club
'I really enjoyed this book with its different threads and living through the chaos of Sophie FitzOsborne.’ Samantha Currie, age 15, Random House Book Buddies Club
'This is an easy-to-read book and when I was out I found myself wanting to get home to read more … The characters are easy to fall in love with.' Josephine Brown, age 12, Random House Book Buddies Club