"The Crooked Stick; Or, Pollie's Probation" by Rolf Boldrewood is a novel written in the late 19th century. The story is set in the Australian outback and revolves around the Devereux family, especially focusing on Pollie Devereux, a spirited young woman yearning for adventure against the backdrop of a challenging dry season. The novel explores themes of love, loss, and the struggles of rural life in a colonial setting." "The opening of the novel introduces a dramatic scene involving Captain Brian Devereux, who is ambushed by bushrangers while traveling by coach in West Logan. The narrative swiftly transitions to Pollie Devereux, who expresses her restlessness with the monotonous pastoral life at Corindah. Amidst her mother’s pragmatic concerns for their suffering livestock due to drought, Pollie displays a yearning for life beyond their isolated existence. The struggle with the harsh realities of their environment sets the stage for the interplay of personal aspirations, familial responsibilities, and the looming presence of fate that permeates the story." (This is an automatically generated summary.)