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melissa_bookworm's review
3.0
Interesting bio about an ASIO spy family based in Brisbane from the children's perspective.
TW: mentions of molestation, abuse.
TW: mentions of molestation, abuse.
leemac027's review
4.0
What a gem of a book!
Author Sandra Hogan, in consultation with Sue-Ellen Doherty, has recreated the story of the Doherty family that conjures up life in the 1950s and onwards in Sydney and Brisbane. This seemingly normal, boring, suburban family of mum, dad and three kids appeared, on the surface, simply ordinary, but they were far from that.
The Doherty parents worked for ASIO. They did not hide this from their children and at times involved them in their work - children provide great cover. However a life of secrets, disappearances, silences, and uncertainty had its impact, with all three children being affected throughout their lives after growing up in a household of deception.
It was fascinating to read of Dudley and Joan's roles in eavesdropping exercises, phone tapping, observation and clandestine activities. Equally enthralling was their involvement with the Petrovs - Russian spies who defected and ended up living with the Doherty's for a two month period for their own protection.
You never know who may be working for ASIO - it is those who seem the most unremarkable, who may turn out to have the most remarkable stories.
Author Sandra Hogan, in consultation with Sue-Ellen Doherty, has recreated the story of the Doherty family that conjures up life in the 1950s and onwards in Sydney and Brisbane. This seemingly normal, boring, suburban family of mum, dad and three kids appeared, on the surface, simply ordinary, but they were far from that.
The Doherty parents worked for ASIO. They did not hide this from their children and at times involved them in their work - children provide great cover. However a life of secrets, disappearances, silences, and uncertainty had its impact, with all three children being affected throughout their lives after growing up in a household of deception.
It was fascinating to read of Dudley and Joan's roles in eavesdropping exercises, phone tapping, observation and clandestine activities. Equally enthralling was their involvement with the Petrovs - Russian spies who defected and ended up living with the Doherty's for a two month period for their own protection.
You never know who may be working for ASIO - it is those who seem the most unremarkable, who may turn out to have the most remarkable stories.
shirllb's review
3.0
The front cover claims this book is “hilarious, moving and brilliantly told”, whilst it is very interesting, it isn’t hilarious at all given the impact of their parents being in ASIO had on the three children. Whilst the story is true, at times it seems almost unbelievable.
dominiko_'s review
2.0
An interesting read on a unique subject matter. Easy reading to pass the time but it was repetitive and the book would have benefitted from tighter editing.
nezzaaa's review
4.0
Unlike anything I've ever read (apart from fictional espionage stories :p). It was highly interesting, and I absolutely devoured this book, couldn't stop reading it!
hannah_rosem's review
4.0
Really interesting to read about what it was like to be a child of ASIO agents. The Doherty's were at the centre of so many iconic moments in ASIO history
smemmott's review
2.0
The outline of this family's story is interesting, but there aren't any real insights beyond the personal.
garnet_monique's review
emotional
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
tasmanian_bibliophile's review
4.0
‘Forgetting their childhoods had been essential for their survival, but it came at a cost.’
Sue-Ellen Doherty was one of three children born into a family of spies. Both her parents, Dudley, and Joan, worked for the Australia Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) in the 1950s and 1960s. While Joan’s work for ASIO was unpaid after 1953, she saw it as her patriotic duty to help protect Australia from Soviet infiltration.
The children, Mark (born in 1951), Sue-Ellen (born in 1953) and Amanda (born in 1958) were trained to be observant by their parents. They were taught to memorise number plates, to notice unusual behaviour and to not draw attention to themselves. While they were also taught that not to lie, they were told to keep the entire truth within the family.
Years later, and keen to find out more about her father, Sue-Ellen approached Queensland-based journalist Sandra Hogan to help her. While this book is the product of their collaboration and research, it took many years to complete. It was not until 2011, when Joan Hogan was interviewed for part of an official history of ASIO, that much of the secrecy around the Hogan’s work was lifted. ASIO confirmed that the Dohertys were free to talk about the work they had done half a century before. Ms Hogan verified as much of the information as she could, and the siblings spoke with each other about their experiences.
This is an interesting book, both for the events described and because of the impact on the Doherty children. Sue-Ellen was looking for answers and trying to sort fact from fiction in her memory. Being unable to question events as they happened, being unable to talk about what was observed can make it difficult to form reliable memories. There are flashes of humour in this account, as well as tragedy.
Recommended.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
Sue-Ellen Doherty was one of three children born into a family of spies. Both her parents, Dudley, and Joan, worked for the Australia Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) in the 1950s and 1960s. While Joan’s work for ASIO was unpaid after 1953, she saw it as her patriotic duty to help protect Australia from Soviet infiltration.
The children, Mark (born in 1951), Sue-Ellen (born in 1953) and Amanda (born in 1958) were trained to be observant by their parents. They were taught to memorise number plates, to notice unusual behaviour and to not draw attention to themselves. While they were also taught that not to lie, they were told to keep the entire truth within the family.
Years later, and keen to find out more about her father, Sue-Ellen approached Queensland-based journalist Sandra Hogan to help her. While this book is the product of their collaboration and research, it took many years to complete. It was not until 2011, when Joan Hogan was interviewed for part of an official history of ASIO, that much of the secrecy around the Hogan’s work was lifted. ASIO confirmed that the Dohertys were free to talk about the work they had done half a century before. Ms Hogan verified as much of the information as she could, and the siblings spoke with each other about their experiences.
This is an interesting book, both for the events described and because of the impact on the Doherty children. Sue-Ellen was looking for answers and trying to sort fact from fiction in her memory. Being unable to question events as they happened, being unable to talk about what was observed can make it difficult to form reliable memories. There are flashes of humour in this account, as well as tragedy.
Recommended.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith