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smnthlejeune's review
4.0
This book was released in the year I spent touring regional/rural NSW for work. I bought this from an amazing bookstore in Armidale and then started reading it in my Mona Lisa themed hotel room in Bourke. It took me until I was back in Sydney and missing the long drives across country to finally finish this.
I found the juxtaposition between the experiences of close-knit communities and the feelings of isolation so interesting. Also, the stories highlighting limited access to medical assistance or education in rural areas were very important.
Once again, the ‘Growing up … in Australia’ series didn’t miss!
I found the juxtaposition between the experiences of close-knit communities and the feelings of isolation so interesting. Also, the stories highlighting limited access to medical assistance or education in rural areas were very important.
Once again, the ‘Growing up … in Australia’ series didn’t miss!
amerasuu's review
4.0
Really enjoyed this, picked it up cos a friend was a contributor. It's got some pretty heavy topics though, like murder and rape.
drillvoice's review
3.0
I liked it. A good array of stories and I think what works is that you get a sense of some themes and recurring patterns (country Australia apparently really likes sport?) but also the variety and complexity of the different experiences.
I think what could have added to this is having more indigenous perspectives - there are some, but it felt a bit weirdly absent. Then, in an ironic way, I also sort of wanted at least a couple 'mainstream' perspectives. That is, it feels like the anthology has lots of 'diverse' perspectives, and often they write about sort of feeling on the outer when growing up: I didn't like sport, I was gay, etc, and so they are part of country Australia yes but they write like they were on the outside looking in. I think it would be interesting to have more stories from the white & straight & stereotypically attractive & sporty blokes that, so often in this anthology, we only see a flat portrait of from the outside. In short, a lot of stories were from people who got teased for their skin colour or sexuality, and I'd be interested to hear (hopefully, self-aware) reflections from the people who did the teasing.
I think what could have added to this is having more indigenous perspectives - there are some, but it felt a bit weirdly absent. Then, in an ironic way, I also sort of wanted at least a couple 'mainstream' perspectives. That is, it feels like the anthology has lots of 'diverse' perspectives, and often they write about sort of feeling on the outer when growing up: I didn't like sport, I was gay, etc, and so they are part of country Australia yes but they write like they were on the outside looking in. I think it would be interesting to have more stories from the white & straight & stereotypically attractive & sporty blokes that, so often in this anthology, we only see a flat portrait of from the outside. In short, a lot of stories were from people who got teased for their skin colour or sexuality, and I'd be interested to hear (hopefully, self-aware) reflections from the people who did the teasing.
aurrai's review
A sample of the text:
I like it when Dad, the capricious hunter, decides on a reprieve and tosses a particular yabby back, the way it cartwheels through the hot air and splashes down to disappear beneath the brown, rippled water. I imagine its dim crustacean feelings – shock, alarm, relief – as it escapes the alien dry dazzle and welcomes the muddy liquid embrace of home again. I imagine it scuttling back down to the familiar depths, brushing trembling antennae against another yabby, transmitting an unbelievable tale, like an astronaut returning to earth who can never be truly understood.
I like it when Dad, the capricious hunter, decides on a reprieve and tosses a particular yabby back, the way it cartwheels through the hot air and splashes down to disappear beneath the brown, rippled water. I imagine its dim crustacean feelings – shock, alarm, relief – as it escapes the alien dry dazzle and welcomes the muddy liquid embrace of home again. I imagine it scuttling back down to the familiar depths, brushing trembling antennae against another yabby, transmitting an unbelievable tale, like an astronaut returning to earth who can never be truly understood.
wetcheesereviews's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
fast-paced
4.5
quick easy read, some better than others but overall amazing writing (would have been nice to read more non settler stories esp from white people
gabrielavmarques's review
3.0
Growing Up in Country Australia, as the title indicates, is an anthology of short stories about different experiences throughout country Australia.
The book showcases different backgrounds and perspectives. From growing up in an ice town, feeling isolated for being queer to being surrounded by nature, working on a family farm or moving to the city... there are some interesting stories.
However, even though I appreciate the intention behind this collection, I was underwhelmed.
I missed more indigenous perspectives and felt that all short stories are written by people who felt that they didn't fit in, so got repetitive and ultimately did not give enough insights into what growing up in Country Australia actually is like.
I wish there was more actual exploration of the culture and identity of Country Australia.
Most of the stories fell flat to me and were too dull and disconnected.
The book showcases different backgrounds and perspectives. From growing up in an ice town, feeling isolated for being queer to being surrounded by nature, working on a family farm or moving to the city... there are some interesting stories.
However, even though I appreciate the intention behind this collection, I was underwhelmed.
I missed more indigenous perspectives and felt that all short stories are written by people who felt that they didn't fit in, so got repetitive and ultimately did not give enough insights into what growing up in Country Australia actually is like.
I wish there was more actual exploration of the culture and identity of Country Australia.
Most of the stories fell flat to me and were too dull and disconnected.
augureader's review
reflective
fast-paced
3.0
This was... OK. I think I much preferred the other instalments in the "Growing Up..." series, as I feel the stories in this one weren't as cohesive as the rest. It deals with a lot of the issues that the past issues deal - racism, prejudice, etc - but I feel like those stories were misplaced here. I tended to like the stories based around the land rather than the people. Overall, still a wonderful series, and I will continue to read them as they are churned out.
theveryhungrythesaurus's review
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
5.0
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