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tink's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Heartbreaking.
Beautifully crafted story with cultural elements perfectly woven in.
Check your trigger warnings going into this one.
Beautifully crafted story with cultural elements perfectly woven in.
Check your trigger warnings going into this one.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death, Rape, Racism, Racial slurs, Pedophilia, and Death of parent
evieo's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book was definitely challenging, but beautifully written. I enjoyed the storyline carrying through a few different generations and the weaving in of aboriginal knowledge and connection to land and ancestors. The Yuwaalaraay language throughout the book communicated a genuine love and connection to the writer’s culture. It definitely drove in how little I know about indigenous cultures in Australia and how much I would still want to hear and learn.
I struggled a bit when the protagonist switched and a key character become more minor, but I think that is just a testament to how connected to the characters I felt.
There are some significant themes that are covered in this story (racism, violence, rape, depression, murder, alcoholism). The more troubling events are written beautifully, and poetically, without taking away from the brutality and tragedy. This book speaks strongly about the impacts of inter generational trauma and colonisation in Australia.
The ending felt a bit rushed, with a long awaited climax occurring within the last pages. But while I would would have liked more of a resolution, I understand the impact would be less, and is not a realistic representation of the experience of many indigenous people and families.
Looking forward to more from Nardi Simpson.
I struggled a bit when the protagonist switched and a key character become more minor, but I think that is just a testament to how connected to the characters I felt.
There are some significant themes that are covered in this story (racism, violence, rape, depression, murder, alcoholism). The more troubling events are written beautifully, and poetically, without taking away from the brutality and tragedy. This book speaks strongly about the impacts of inter generational trauma and colonisation in Australia.
The ending felt a bit rushed, with a long awaited climax occurring within the last pages. But while I would would have liked more of a resolution, I understand the impact would be less, and is not a realistic representation of the experience of many indigenous people and families.
Looking forward to more from Nardi Simpson.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Child abuse, Car accident, Child death, Colonisation, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Hate crime, Mental illness, Murder, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, and Violence
Moderate: Alcoholism and Police brutality
beautifulpaxielreads's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation, Child death, Grief, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Death, Hate crime, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Murder, Pregnancy, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual violence, and Violence
Moderate: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Animal death, Blood, Bullying, Genocide, and Gaslighting
Minor: Car accident and War
madelonpaige's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, and Violence
samsearle's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Racial slurs
Moderate: Rape and Violence
camilleareads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
4.0
I only just finished this book and I am reeling from it. Song of the Crocodile is a family saga book about the Billymil family and their life in Darnmoor. Because they're aboriginal Australians, they live on the outskirts of town in a place they refer to as the Campgrounds. Unlike the town folks, their homes do not have electricity or running water. Through the family members we explore the inter-generational impacts of colonisation, how is racism is justified under the guise of progress and how the cycle of violence shape our children.
Between the stories of the family is another about the spiritual connection. Spirits and the dead watch over the family, trying to shape the living through their connections. But sometimes, the violence of racism tears too deeply into one's being. And we see this in how each character carries the brunt of colonisation. From Celie to her daughter, Mili, and then to Mili's son, Patrick. As you read the Song of the Crocodile, the characters grow close to your heart. The author's prose is lyrical, sometimes dreamy and most of the time, daunting.
How do you move through a world that does not care for your existence? How do you live with people who would deliberately cause you harm without a second thought?
Song of the Crocodile shows us; sometimes some people just don't survive it. This book is more than a story about the aboriginal Australians, their culture and their history; it's an acknowledgement of the inequalities and cruelty they faced (and continue to.) To label Song of the Crocodile as a tragedy would be a disservice. Unlike the people of Darnmoor, we begin with acknowledging the truth to secure a path where progress does not destroy culture, does not uphold racism and does not tear families apart.
I received a physical ARC of this book from Hachette in exchange for an honest review.
You can find me at Camillea Reads || Twitter || Instagram || Tumblr
Between the stories of the family is another about the spiritual connection. Spirits and the dead watch over the family, trying to shape the living through their connections. But sometimes, the violence of racism tears too deeply into one's being. And we see this in how each character carries the brunt of colonisation. From Celie to her daughter, Mili, and then to Mili's son, Patrick. As you read the Song of the Crocodile, the characters grow close to your heart. The author's prose is lyrical, sometimes dreamy and most of the time, daunting.
How do you move through a world that does not care for your existence? How do you live with people who would deliberately cause you harm without a second thought?
Song of the Crocodile shows us; sometimes some people just don't survive it. This book is more than a story about the aboriginal Australians, their culture and their history; it's an acknowledgement of the inequalities and cruelty they faced (and continue to.) To label Song of the Crocodile as a tragedy would be a disservice. Unlike the people of Darnmoor, we begin with acknowledging the truth to secure a path where progress does not destroy culture, does not uphold racism and does not tear families apart.
I received a physical ARC of this book from Hachette in exchange for an honest review.
You can find me at Camillea Reads || Twitter || Instagram || Tumblr
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Racial slurs, Vomit, Child death, and Death
Moderate: Sexual assault and Rape
Minor: Physical abuse
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