Cirrus@Austlit

'The Poinciana Tree is a novel about a woman and her family whose lives spread across the vast continent of Australia. On one hand it is a story of hardship, emotional deprivation and coping with the desperation of the Depression and war, but on another level it is a classic example of bravery, resilience, the joys and sorrows of family and the unswerving commitment of love and support to others.

'The story is based on the real experiences of the author's own family. His mother Aimee Francis was born in 1908 in the remote goldfields of Kalgoorlie in Western Australia, but after her own mother's early death she moved to Perth, Melbourne, Sydney and ultimately to Queensland.

'Our history is full of the bravery and resourcefulness of people like Aimee and those she loved, but rarely are they noticed. This book is a tribute to her and the thousands like her.' (Publication summary)