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emilyfrizz's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 - Tim Winton just has this way of writing that is beautifully vivid and real. This book looked at grief and disconnection while telling the story of social outcasts. It falls a bit short for me is the plotlines - many characters didn't get much follow-through with their character arcs. I suppose in a way, that could add to the book's realism, but it does slow the pace at some points. Tim Winton still remains deserving of all his praise, simply of the beauty and mastery of his prose.
antjerook's review against another edition
3.0
This could have been a really good book! All the ingredients are there: 3 (could have been) interesting main characters, beautiful, interesting location, strong sense of place, a little bit of trauma, development, relationship etc. Oh, great writing, languagewise. The author is obviously a man, for me it makes the describtion of Georgie, the main character clear. Her motives, her actions and behavior, her decisions are all very weird for me. Exactly how I think a man would imagine a women. Jim I find very bland and boring. Luther is interesting, a lovable character, with some depth and the only person I liked. Then there are a few characters, who don't have a great relevance , I wonder why they are mentioned. Jim's sons for example, their presense doesn't lead to anything. The extraordinary thing about this book is the describtion of the place, the landscape, you feel like you are there, when you read it. This is obviously the authors strengh. Love... I heard people say this is a love story...I couldn't detect any love! Sure there was sex, dependency, attraction, taking the easy options...but if that is love, I don't know love!
throwerp's review against another edition
2.0
I was excited to start my first Tim Winton book and for the first hundred or so pages I was heavily invested and enjoying it.
Yes, there was some waffling, but it was a pleasant enough story, and I was intrigued about the characters.
However, all of a sudden, it just became boring. It became too waffle-y and the thin story it was telling became unbearable. I got bored real fast towards the end
Yes, there was some waffling, but it was a pleasant enough story, and I was intrigued about the characters.
However, all of a sudden, it just became boring. It became too waffle-y and the thin story it was telling became unbearable. I got bored real fast towards the end
ltobin's review against another edition
4.0
This is not a love story. This is a story of when two outcasts in a small town come together and share their broken lives.
Georgie is with Jim Buckridge, someone who is revered in the small fishing town of White Point. His sons show her contempt but she feels they love her deep down but cant show it.
Luther Fox, destroyed by a horrific accident that took his whole family has been living by stealing fish since. A xenophobic neighbour mutilates his dog and runs him out of town once he finds out about him and Georgie.
The characters in this book are very compelling. We become frustrated with Georgie. She has lived her life with little care and has always strived for her Mother to approve of her yet she never has. She is reckless but is also marked with cynicism. Her life in White Point is boring and she has no interest in mingling with any of her neighbours because of the knowledge that she will never be accepted.
Fox on the other hand is damaged goods. He lives with his dog, and makes a living stealing from the fishermen he reviles. His family is known for bad luck in the town from long ago.
He realises when he is deep in the outback that he has been grieving for people who didn't treat him very well, he is comfortable with this assessment but still feels grief. He always knew his brother and his wife weren't the nicest of people, but feels indebted to them still for the music.
As with most Tim Winton books, the language really makes the book great. The descriptions particularly of Coronation Island are fantastic. Since Winton is a resident of WA, you know he has been in places similar to this, and you can almost picture Coronation Island being in the Kimberleys somewhere.
Georgie is with Jim Buckridge, someone who is revered in the small fishing town of White Point. His sons show her contempt but she feels they love her deep down but cant show it.
Luther Fox, destroyed by a horrific accident that took his whole family has been living by stealing fish since. A xenophobic neighbour mutilates his dog and runs him out of town once he finds out about him and Georgie.
The characters in this book are very compelling. We become frustrated with Georgie. She has lived her life with little care and has always strived for her Mother to approve of her yet she never has. She is reckless but is also marked with cynicism. Her life in White Point is boring and she has no interest in mingling with any of her neighbours because of the knowledge that she will never be accepted.
Fox on the other hand is damaged goods. He lives with his dog, and makes a living stealing from the fishermen he reviles. His family is known for bad luck in the town from long ago.
He realises when he is deep in the outback that he has been grieving for people who didn't treat him very well, he is comfortable with this assessment but still feels grief. He always knew his brother and his wife weren't the nicest of people, but feels indebted to them still for the music.
As with most Tim Winton books, the language really makes the book great. The descriptions particularly of Coronation Island are fantastic. Since Winton is a resident of WA, you know he has been in places similar to this, and you can almost picture Coronation Island being in the Kimberleys somewhere.
amyburra29's review against another edition
5.0
One of my top 5 reads in as many years. So visceral and entrancing, I can relate to almost every character and that tantalising conflict of bad / good is just as puzzling as in the characters of any great epic.
itor's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
pixiegael's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Beautifully drawn characters and a great story.
Many years ago, I travelled up the coast of Western Australia, visited Broome and Kununurra, so I really enjoyed revisiting the locations in this book.
Many years ago, I travelled up the coast of Western Australia, visited Broome and Kununurra, so I really enjoyed revisiting the locations in this book.
needilup's review against another edition
2.0
I should like Tim's books, but I just can't get emotionally involved with the characters. I remember that the current premier of Western Australia, Geoff Gallop had said that he really enjoyed this book so I bought the hardcover edition. And read it once and gave it away as I just wasn't enthralled.
reachant's review against another edition
4.0
Tim Winton is simply one of Australia’s best authors. This is another one of his beautiful works of love and heartbreak and the human condition.
basedgoth's review against another edition
4.0
ripped through the second half of this to my own surprise.
Dirt Music is my second Tim Winton novel, after Cloudstreet, and i’ve decided i like it quite a bit more.
gotta love Tim Winton and his skill at crafting quintessential Western Australia from his words. pages and pages and pages of descriptions of earth and trees and sand and reefs. great if you’re into that kinda thing. nothing is drowned in dialogue. what you find is a love story, but it’s buried under the surface and you wanna keep digging.
Dirt Music is my second Tim Winton novel, after Cloudstreet, and i’ve decided i like it quite a bit more.
gotta love Tim Winton and his skill at crafting quintessential Western Australia from his words. pages and pages and pages of descriptions of earth and trees and sand and reefs. great if you’re into that kinda thing. nothing is drowned in dialogue. what you find is a love story, but it’s buried under the surface and you wanna keep digging.