A Short History of Longans

 A Short History of Longans

Reviewed By  Nan van Dissel       September 25, 2026

 

Author  Mirandi Riwoe

Distributor:      UQP Books
ISBN:                 9780702269004
Publisher:         University of Queensland Press
Release Date:   14 July 2026  

   Website:   https://www.uqp.com.au/books/a-short-history-of-longans

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Award winning best-selling author Mirandi Riwoe, in her latest novel, “Short History of Longans” has created an historical fiction involving lesser-known times in Australia’s history; the Chinese-Australian settlement and experience. Working backwards through six generation from 2049 to 1849 the reader is exposed to a Queensland based Chinese-Irish family’s life: unravelling their secrets and highlighting the trials and tribulations of being of mixed ethnicity. Primarily told from the perspective of four beautifully crafted characters, the story unfolds.

One winter’s day in 2049, loner 75-year-old Daniel Connolly, finds that the heirloom Longan tree in his garden has fallen down during a storm. Then a curious but kindhearted neighbour comes into his life, but will the developing relationship survive the revelation of shameful episode in his past?

The reader is next introduced to Daniel’s irrepressible Aunt Wendy’s story. Of Chinese-Irish ethnicity, she struggles with early onset dementia as she spends her days researching her Irish family history.

In Los Angeles in the early 1900s mixed race Ruby despite her ‘exotic’ appearance struggles to land a role in a film. When finally, an opportunity arises, it classes with her responsibilities to her son, who is being raised by her Aunt Pearl in Australia.

Resilient unlikely matriarch Maria, an 18-year-old Irish orphan, who is sent out to Australia in the 1850’s, ties the story together.

Despite not every story being fully detailed in this literary fiction, this beautifully written book with its well-developed characters will appeal to readers. However, they will find themselves often consulting the useful multigenerational family tree at the front of the book to remind themselves, who was connected to whom.

General, Historical