- ASIN: B08QZ8WMGL
- Publisher: ETT Imprint (December 1, 2020)
- Publication date: December 1, 2020
- Language: English
- Print length: 387 pages
- Genre: History Family Saga Fiction
The BookViral Review:
Brien Cole’s Solero: A Parrot’s Tale is more than just a novel—it’s five books in one, a sweeping historical saga that follows generations of settlers, the rise of a town, the horrors of war, and the legacies left behind by those who built Pike Lagoon from the ground up. Told through the eyes of Mr. Chifley, a parrot with an uncanny grasp of language and human nature, the novel captures history in motion, blending humour, tragedy, and the weight of time itself.
At first glance, Solero appears to be a story solely about pioneers—the hopeful, the desperate, and the ambitious souls determined to carve out a future in a new land. Hugh Carvey, a visionary winemaker, is among those who drive Pike Lagoon forward, battling both the harsh realities of the land and the stubborn traditions of the past. His wife Emma is a steady force beside him, but it is their daughter, Frieda, who emerges as one of the novel’s most compelling figures. Fierce, determined, and unwilling to let the past define her, Frieda grows into a powerful presence throughout the series, shaping Pike Lagoon in ways no one could have anticipated.
But the story does not linger solely in the fields of vineyards or the halls of progress. Instead, it takes us to war, following the young men of Pike Lagoon as they leave behind their home and step onto foreign battlefields that change them forever. Among them is Joycey, who finds himself thrust into the brutality of war, where politics no longer matter and survival is a day-to-day struggle. His experiences—the loss of friends, the harsh reality of death, and the scars that war leaves on the soul—bring a raw, deeply human element to the novel.
Where Solero shines is in its ability to balance history with deeply personal storytelling. Through Mr. Chifley’s observant eyes, we witness the evolution of Pike Lagoon, from its first generation of settlers to a town shaped by war, ambition, and the unbreakable bonds of family and loss. Frieda’s journey, in particular, spans across the book, making her a force of nature, navigating love, leadership, and survival with unwavering strength.
Cole’s lyrical prose and intricate character development make this more than just a historical novel—it is a living, breathing world, filled with people who struggle, triumph, and pass their burdens onto the next generation. The multi-book structure allows the story to grow in complexity, showing how history is not just a single event, but a chain reaction of choices, sacrifices, and dreams that ripple across time.
Solero: A Parrot’s Tale is a book for readers who love historical fiction with depth, where every chapter opens the door to another story waiting to unfold. It is about the weight of legacy, the cost of war, and the relentless march of time—but above all, it is about the people who shape history and the echoes they leave behind. With a rich narrative, unforgettable characters, and a unique perspective, Brien Cole has crafted a powerful beginning to an epic that lingers long after the final page is turned.
It is an unreservedly recommended Golden Quill read.
