The best book I have read in ages, this journey through colonisation and human desire truly lived up to the praise 'unputdownable,' even more so when it contains so many links with true fact. For anyone interested in Dickens' work, this is a must-read with so many different facets. Some scenes were so deeply moving and poignant, full of vivid description that had me reading it all in one morning and gulping in the words as if they were life's air! The experience ng this book really made me think about my history and my place in the world as a human now. UNFORGETTABLE. Flanagan has inspired in me a new, more thoughtful outlook on life with this novel that everyone should read. I will definitely be keeping a close eye on Flanagan's work in the future, and will be reading all of his novels - superb.Waterstone's Cardholder

Set in the mid to late 19th century and told in alternating chapters, it centres around Sir John Franklin's time as Governor of Van Diemen's Land in Tasmania, where he subsequently adopts an aboriginal girl called Mathinna, his wife's determination to clear her husband's name from the accusation of cannibalism when he disappears on an expedition and the role which Charles Dickens played in clearing Sir John's name. The story is about desires and their consequences, be it wanting to explore, wanting a child or wanting to be loved.I found this a fascinating and compelling book and was particularly interested in the chapters concerning Charles Dickens, where we also meet Wilkie Collins, another illustrious writer. It was also a poignant tale, the story of the aboriginal girl, Mathinna, being quite sad and tragic.I found the author's note of great interest. Although Richard Flanagan points out that 'Wanting' is not a history, I read it as historical fiction based on fact. I thought it was well written and researched with good use of imagination. I found it a pleasure to read and would thoroughly recommend it!

Wanting explores the parallel lives of Charles Dickens and the family of Arctic explorer Sir John Franklin. It's a compelling study of desire and how it affects our lives. The demise of Dickens' marriage and the adoption of a young aborigine girl by Sir John and Lady Franklin are played out against a vivid background of life in Victorian England and colonial 'Van Diemen's Land.' The pace and the prose make this novel a page turner you never want to end. If you liked Julian Barnes' Arthur and George you'll love this.

Wanting is about the parallel lives of Charles Dickens and the Arctic Explorer Sir John Franklin which are interwoven by unexpected events and tragedies. Richard Flanagan has written a book with such grace and anticipation it is in my top ten books of all time i simply couldn't put the book down. Wanting is a compelling and emotional read and should not be overlooked as it has some of the best characters that have ever been written. The book is easy to read and keeps you wanting more with every page turned. Thank you Mr Flanagan.

Wanting, is a novel that brings together three people of history, who have wants and desires, and in all cases some tragedy befell them.Sir John Franklin, a noted explorer of his time, was made Governor of a remote penal colony. When things went wrong his one desire was to go back to his explorations with tragic results, as history tells us his crew and two ships disappeared. Lady Jane Franklin, his wife wanted to clear her husband's name of alleged cannabilism. She sought help from Charles Dickens, who also had problems. Finding that his wife and family were not enough for him. He sought refuge with Ellen Ternan, a young actress .He supposedly spent 13 years with her, but this was suppressed from public view. Again another wanting, another tragedy.Lady Jane meanwhile, in her year's at the penal colony took refuge in adopting a daughter Matthinna, who unfortunately was the subject of an experiment in trying to civilize a native child, which sadly went wrong.In the end Lady Jane realised that what she really wanted was the love of a daughter plus the love of her husband, none of which came to fruition.Once again another wanting, another tragedy. As for the young child, she met her untimely death at the age of seventeen, looking for the lost ideals she had been taught by Lady Jane.Although the author does not wish this to be an historical novel, it certainly did appear to be of that genre. I found this a compelling book and those interested in history will find this an interesting read. Waterstone's Cardholder