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felicitythereader's review
5.0
I loved this book so much I've bought multiple copies for my friends and family so they will read it. I know they'll love it as much as I did. There's not enough written about life in the Queensland outback and very few memoirs that are as gripping and well-told as this. Rick Morton has penned a masterpiece about the challenges of moving out of dirt poor poverty, about the grip of drugs and how a life destitute of hope is challenging. I loved this book so much.
missayme's review against another edition
5.0
Truly excellent. Unflinching, honest and heartbreaking.
cathy's review
5.0
I may be biased, because I love Rick and think he’s brilliant, but this book is brilliant. It’s so well-written, so well-researched, so honest, so insightful, and so important. Most of all, it’s refreshing and rare in an industry filled with memoirs with near-identical narratives. I feel privileged to have read Rick’s story.
leemac027's review
4.0
This is such an emotional and personal account of the author's life that it hits you between the eyes.
Rick Morton grew up on a remote property in the Queensland outback. It was a brutal and tough upbringing that was unforgiving. His brother suffers horrendous burns in an accident and from that point in time Rick's life is a never ending spiral that involves abuse, neglect, love, emotional trauma, and isolation all heightened by his battle with his own sexuality.
It is such a beautifully written but harrowing story of survival. Rick Morton may not believe he has incredible inner strength but it is there, even through the hardest of challenges that continually confront him.
Anyone who has struggled with mental illness will identify with Rick's struggles and if you have not been impacted by mental illness, you will gain insights that might help support others who have.
Rick Morton grew up on a remote property in the Queensland outback. It was a brutal and tough upbringing that was unforgiving. His brother suffers horrendous burns in an accident and from that point in time Rick's life is a never ending spiral that involves abuse, neglect, love, emotional trauma, and isolation all heightened by his battle with his own sexuality.
It is such a beautifully written but harrowing story of survival. Rick Morton may not believe he has incredible inner strength but it is there, even through the hardest of challenges that continually confront him.
Anyone who has struggled with mental illness will identify with Rick's struggles and if you have not been impacted by mental illness, you will gain insights that might help support others who have.
ms_dzt's review
4.0
This book is outstanding. Loved listening to it as an audiobook, it was wonderful to hear it with Rick's voice. I was constantly thinking of the issues W careers that demand unpaid work - nursing, teaching, journalism.
reachant's review against another edition
5.0
The author has an excellent writing style that really brings you along in his story...and it’s a truly sad story. I highly recommend this Australian read.
stevenjpitt's review
Resonated with a lot in this. Did feel a bit ranty at times.
Quotes:
• “As if all the memories of horror that he’s witnessed get pushed forward from some crevice in his brain and into the eyes themselves, which become fat with rage.”
• “To understand a person you must understand their father.”
• “A fire had tried to kill my brother, but it would orient his rescuers too.”
• “A medley of instances can make children grow wrong.”
• “Memory makes me aware of the unreality.”
Quotes:
• “As if all the memories of horror that he’s witnessed get pushed forward from some crevice in his brain and into the eyes themselves, which become fat with rage.”
• “To understand a person you must understand their father.”
• “A fire had tried to kill my brother, but it would orient his rescuers too.”
• “A medley of instances can make children grow wrong.”
• “Memory makes me aware of the unreality.”
awellreadlady's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0