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4.13 AVERAGE
4.13 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
A well-researched and well-crafted incision on colonial/settler narratives, as well as discussions of her own history and culture in Australia. Admittedly a lot of the references have gone over my head; Araluen is clearly well acquainted with the material she is discussing so further reading would be a good suggestion. It's brilliant writing that it's almost hard to believe this is her debut collection.
I had super high expectations for this one, so of course it couldn't live up. Some of the pieces were absolutely wonderful though. It's one I'll revisit some day.
“Water carries immemorial, a river without peace will not let you pray. The best way to learn a lesson is to let it find you, and drink.” - From Secret River.
Isn’t that beautiful? This book of poetry & prose won the Stella prize a few years ago, and I’ve been meaning to get to it ever since. Here are some more of my favourite lines:
“That this land had no poets but it had thirst and rage and dreaming”
“As the wideness dusks to dark the ghost gum globes are all aflicker in guidance…” from THE LAST BUSH BALLAD
“To wash my skin back into its scent” from Home, After the Fire
“With each day I learn new ways to feel unprepared.” from Breath - the panic and disorientation of travel, and also the underlying emotion, the anxiety of being away.
“With each day I learn new ways to feel unprepared.” from Breath - the panic and disorientation of travel, and also the underlying emotion, the anxiety of being away.
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Listened to audiobook but would rather I had read it. One to come back to
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
This book felt like being in an art gallery. Each piece left me emotionally charged, curious, and in awe of the artistry and breadth of the work. Sometimes cheeky, sometimes hard pressed, every line felt, for lack of a better word, real.
I want to return back to each poem, taking more time to ponder them. I want to take the guided tour, ask questions and engage in the additional offerings of information that the author generously offers through extended articles and notes on her research included in the back of the book.
Even if poetry isn't normally your thing, I recommend giving this a read.
I want to return back to each poem, taking more time to ponder them. I want to take the guided tour, ask questions and engage in the additional offerings of information that the author generously offers through extended articles and notes on her research included in the back of the book.
Even if poetry isn't normally your thing, I recommend giving this a read.
Content Warnings
Minor: Infertility, Violence, Colonisation
informative
reflective
medium-paced
challenging
emotional
reflective