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ella_hen's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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
3.5
school book
mnqctn's review against another edition
4.0
some of these stories were super jarring and didn’t go where i thought they were going to go at all... some were evil...very different from the books in use to reading... i couldnt read two of the stories bc i’m dyslexic <3
lampsunnies's review against another edition
4.0
4.5
This was definitely one of the best short story collections I've ever read. The stories are all incredibly diverse and give voices to those who you don't normally see represented in traditional media, particularly in Australia (eg. a Sudanese family in Melbourne, an asylum seeker in Villawood detention centre and trans people). Some of these stories are absolutely heartbreaking while others are heartwarming but they never felt cliche. They deal with so many different themes and some are particularly relevant to whats going on in the world right now. But with all short story collections, there were definitely some that I felt were stronger than others or I just enjoyed more than others (eg. Harlem Jones, Shu Yi, Gaps in the Hickory, The Stilt Fisherman of Kathaluwa) and there were one or two that were a lil' forgettable.
This was definitely one of the best short story collections I've ever read. The stories are all incredibly diverse and give voices to those who you don't normally see represented in traditional media, particularly in Australia (eg. a Sudanese family in Melbourne, an asylum seeker in Villawood detention centre and trans people). Some of these stories are absolutely heartbreaking while others are heartwarming but they never felt cliche. They deal with so many different themes and some are particularly relevant to whats going on in the world right now. But with all short story collections, there were definitely some that I felt were stronger than others or I just enjoyed more than others (eg. Harlem Jones, Shu Yi, Gaps in the Hickory, The Stilt Fisherman of Kathaluwa) and there were one or two that were a lil' forgettable.
angelajuniper's review against another edition
4.0
Racial issues are embedded in Australian culture. Current generations have grown up hearing stories of refugees, studying the events behind National Sorry Day, and watching footage of crowded boats desperate for asylum.
Maxine Beneba Clarke, an Australian writer of Afro-Caribbean heritage, has used Foreign Soil to confront different forms of cultural separation. From a Sudanese woman’s first attempt at riding a bicycle, to an ex Sri Lankan soldier held in detention, her short stories are character driven and explode from the page with dense emotional rhythm.
In the opening piece, ‘David’, a bike is used to symbolise freedom, showcasing Clarke’s talent with the poetic. The titular piece shows a young couple who, by shifting from one country to another, cause us to question how well we ever know those we love. And the story, ‘Shu Yi’, shows a schoolyard where the pain of being an outsider can turn desperation into cruelty, and underlines juvenile racism at its source.
Undoubtedly, the most harrowing is the story of Asanka, an asylum seeker held in detention at Villawood. Through his eyes, ‘The Stilt Fisherman of Kathaluwa’ exposes the realities of life as an underage soldier. His boat journey to Australia and days in detention are this collections ultimate wrench point, and I challenge anyone to read it and not feel something in their chest crack.
The collection is evidence of Clarke’s ability with slam-poetry and the spoken word. At times, I personally found the dialect jarring, even laborious, especially as I waded through the Jamaican-set ‘Big Islan’. The attempt to reproduce accents, although effective, diverted my attention away from the stories and made it harder to connect.
But this didn’t detract from the books intense power. Foreign Soil speaks of displacement and longing. It’s for anyone who has felt different, who has born witness to a punishment undeserving. It shines a light on the spaces, and fore-fronts the divide, between us and them.
Highly recommended.
Follow me on the blog! ----> https://ponderdeeper.wordpress.com/
Maxine Beneba Clarke, an Australian writer of Afro-Caribbean heritage, has used Foreign Soil to confront different forms of cultural separation. From a Sudanese woman’s first attempt at riding a bicycle, to an ex Sri Lankan soldier held in detention, her short stories are character driven and explode from the page with dense emotional rhythm.
In the opening piece, ‘David’, a bike is used to symbolise freedom, showcasing Clarke’s talent with the poetic. The titular piece shows a young couple who, by shifting from one country to another, cause us to question how well we ever know those we love. And the story, ‘Shu Yi’, shows a schoolyard where the pain of being an outsider can turn desperation into cruelty, and underlines juvenile racism at its source.
Undoubtedly, the most harrowing is the story of Asanka, an asylum seeker held in detention at Villawood. Through his eyes, ‘The Stilt Fisherman of Kathaluwa’ exposes the realities of life as an underage soldier. His boat journey to Australia and days in detention are this collections ultimate wrench point, and I challenge anyone to read it and not feel something in their chest crack.
The collection is evidence of Clarke’s ability with slam-poetry and the spoken word. At times, I personally found the dialect jarring, even laborious, especially as I waded through the Jamaican-set ‘Big Islan’. The attempt to reproduce accents, although effective, diverted my attention away from the stories and made it harder to connect.
But this didn’t detract from the books intense power. Foreign Soil speaks of displacement and longing. It’s for anyone who has felt different, who has born witness to a punishment undeserving. It shines a light on the spaces, and fore-fronts the divide, between us and them.
Highly recommended.
Follow me on the blog! ----> https://ponderdeeper.wordpress.com/
novel_nomad's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 Stars
This is one of the first collection of short stories I have read that branded their sorrows, ferocity and hope into my memory.
Each story is unique, every character distinctive. I cannot begin to describe how many emotions washed over me as I read this book. Read this book. It is a beautiful depiction of those who voice has been marginalised or forgotten.
This is one of the first collection of short stories I have read that branded their sorrows, ferocity and hope into my memory.
Each story is unique, every character distinctive. I cannot begin to describe how many emotions washed over me as I read this book. Read this book. It is a beautiful depiction of those who voice has been marginalised or forgotten.
jessicah95's review against another edition
4.0
I had a bit of a weird start with this collection. I didn't connect at all with the first two stories. But then, every other story in this collection was a potential 5 star read. Every story was unique, with believable and raw characters, and some left a huge impression with me. A very hard hitting and diverse collection.
readsnjava's review against another edition
4.0
Insightful collection of stories with diverse characters from around the globe and an excellent reminder that we are all imperfect human creatures who really just want to love and be loved as we are.