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bibliolucinda's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars rounded up - very fascinating and insightful look into the hollowed out shell of the larrikin ideal and it's political co-opting. Will probably read anything Lech Blaine writes at this point.
latterature's review against another edition
4.0
Fantastic analysis of class and masculinity in Australian politics.
everything_was_beautiful's review against another edition
funny
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
lowlandsbeach's review against another edition
3.0
It was Ok. A retelling of recent Australian politics with a focus on prime ministers. Not many new insights. Describes how climate change policies were torpedoed, I think. Could have done with more on Julia Gillard, Penny Wong , Tanya Plibersek, but, as the title says this essay is mostly about men. More on Greens and more on WA would interest me. Also that Anthony Albanese is initially just as boring as John Howard was initially boring, so that may give him an advantage over Scomo, or something like that, maybe clutching at straws. It was interesting to read about Lech's brother John's opinions and voting . Also that the author was named after Lech Walesa, I wonder how he pronounces Lech? Eastern states focus on rugby league and rugby union was new to me, I don't think rugby has so much prominence in my home state of WA. Totally impressive essay if you keep in mind that the author, Lech, is only in his twenties! If you are interested in faked and real larrikinism this essay is for you.
steph_84's review against another edition
3.0
Super disheartening to read so many stories of dodgy guys successfully pretending to be larrikins for personal political and/or financial gain, which got repetitive after a while.
As someone unfamiliar with Sydney suburbs and who finds watching any kind of ball-kicking/throwing excruciatingly dull, the ongoing use of place names and sports teams as symbols of different cohorts was confusing (what’s a rabbinoh? like rabbino as in rabbi? seems unlikely?).
But lots of work went into this essay for sure, some interesting insights, and I definitely agree it’s time for some new or broader Australian cultural identities.
As someone unfamiliar with Sydney suburbs and who finds watching any kind of ball-kicking/throwing excruciatingly dull, the ongoing use of place names and sports teams as symbols of different cohorts was confusing (what’s a rabbinoh? like rabbino as in rabbi? seems unlikely?).
But lots of work went into this essay for sure, some interesting insights, and I definitely agree it’s time for some new or broader Australian cultural identities.
jakepasseri's review against another edition
4.0
Must read for understanding the political landscape of Australia today and how class has been twisted by those in power to meet the ends of oligarchs