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aprilius_maximus's review
5.0
“Let me pass this way but once and do what good I can, I shall not pass this way again.”
representation: author is of Aboriginal descent, from the Palku people of the Pilbara.
[trigger warnings are listed at the bottom of this review and may contain spoilers]
★★★★★
sally morgan is such an incredible storyteller! i loved hearing her and her family's story <3
trigger warnings: domestic abuse, alcoholism, loss of loved ones, suicide, attempted sexual assault by a family member, animal death, terrible teachers, detailed description of a cut on arm, racism, slavery, murder, forced separation from family, physical abuse, death of children, sexual harassment by a teacher, descriptions of war, PTSD, terminal illness (cancer), mentions of rape.
representation: author is of Aboriginal descent, from the Palku people of the Pilbara.
[trigger warnings are listed at the bottom of this review and may contain spoilers]
★★★★★
sally morgan is such an incredible storyteller! i loved hearing her and her family's story <3
trigger warnings: domestic abuse, alcoholism, loss of loved ones, suicide, attempted sexual assault by a family member, animal death, terrible teachers, detailed description of a cut on arm, racism, slavery, murder, forced separation from family, physical abuse, death of children, sexual harassment by a teacher, descriptions of war, PTSD, terminal illness (cancer), mentions of rape.
sorkatani's review
4.0
As I read this story, there were so many subtle cues that really jumped out at me. Knowing what I know of Australian history, much of the seemingly irrelevant or trivial things mentioned really hit hard.
This is one family's story, and, whilst written decades ago, it's a story similar to those held by many Indigenous Australians today.
This is a book that deserves analysis, and I can understand why it's on a lot of school reading lists.
My only criticism is that it ends very suddenly.
This is one family's story, and, whilst written decades ago, it's a story similar to those held by many Indigenous Australians today.
This is a book that deserves analysis, and I can understand why it's on a lot of school reading lists.
My only criticism is that it ends very suddenly.
lemonbalmlibrarian's review
5.0
Such an important story. It was an honour to read this book and the stories of the lives contained within it.
Knowledge of, and empathy for ourselves, our families, and other people is so very important. The narrative in this story did a wonderful job of unveiling and providing an understanding of the pain and darkness in Australia's recent history, as well as the importance of love and connection to family and culture.
Knowledge of, and empathy for ourselves, our families, and other people is so very important. The narrative in this story did a wonderful job of unveiling and providing an understanding of the pain and darkness in Australia's recent history, as well as the importance of love and connection to family and culture.
_clelia's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.75
cooldwaters's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.5
Probably the saddest and most beautiful thing I ever read.
forzasusan's review against another edition
5.0
A beautiful heartbreaking story about a young woman and her quest to understand her identity. As she uncovers her Aboriginal heritage, she learns the devastating truth about what her mother and grandmother went through and why they were so afraid to allow the children to claim an Aboriginal identity.
I highly recommend.
I highly recommend.
tina_perseveres's review against another edition
1.0
I read this as a challenge to fulfill the category related to aboriginal people. Others had recommended this book. I was hopeful since it was a culture I knew very little about.
The book focuses on one family as they retrace their history. A girl begins talking about her seemingly normal life until she reaches her teens. She confronts her aboriginal background and begs her mother & grandmother for details.
Getting to the details was rather delayed. Conversations were included that were not significant. The editing could have been much better. The book took too long in reaching its point & I would not recommend it.
The book focuses on one family as they retrace their history. A girl begins talking about her seemingly normal life until she reaches her teens. She confronts her aboriginal background and begs her mother & grandmother for details.
Getting to the details was rather delayed. Conversations were included that were not significant. The editing could have been much better. The book took too long in reaching its point & I would not recommend it.
amyapple's review against another edition
3.0
Although if is not written very well, the overall story is quite interesting especially if you have no idea what it was like to be of Aboriginal descent in the 60s and before it really.
It starts of very slowly and the pacing does pick up a little but there seems to be a lot of filler and repetition in the book when stories from different people are retold.
Probably some extra editing would have been good but all in all it’s a story that has to be told and Australians should all have a read to understand.
It starts of very slowly and the pacing does pick up a little but there seems to be a lot of filler and repetition in the book when stories from different people are retold.
Probably some extra editing would have been good but all in all it’s a story that has to be told and Australians should all have a read to understand.