The Colour

Joseph and Harriet Blackstone leave Norfolk for New Zealand, seeking prosperity. As Joseph becomes obsessed with gold, he faces moral dilemmas and sacrifices in his pursuit of happiness amidst the gold rush. The Colour explores these themes of greed and love.

In The Colour, Joseph and Harriet Blackstone leave their life in Norfolk, England, in pursuit of new opportunities and prosperity in New Zealand. Their journey begins with high hopes, but the harsh realities of the land near Christchurch quickly threaten their ambitions. As they attempt to establish a new life, they confront the unforgiving environment that challenges their resilience and determination.

The story takes a pivotal turn when Joseph discovers gold in a nearby creek. This discovery ignites a fervent obsession within him, drawing him deeper into the allure of wealth. Captivated by the promise of riches beneath the earth, Joseph makes the fateful decision to abandon his farm and family. He embarks on a solitary quest to the gold-fields over the Southern Alps, a place characterized by both opportunity and moral ambiguity. As he joins others in their frenzied pursuit of fortune, the narrative delves into the darker aspects of human nature and the consequences of greed.

Rose Tremain, an Orange Prize-winning author, weaves a tale that is both moving and unsettling. The Colour explores the complexities of love and the sacrifices individuals make in their relentless pursuit of happiness. Set against the backdrop of the mid-nineteenth-century gold rush in New Zealand, the novel captures the tension between dreams and reality, illustrating how the quest for wealth can lead to profound personal and moral dilemmas. Through the Blackstones' journey, Tremain invites readers to reflect on the true cost of ambition and desire.