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schnuggeligeerdbeere44's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
sarah1984's review
3.0
5/7 - This was a set book for literature in about Year 9. Thinking about it now, over a decade later, after only reading it that one time, I'm surprised at how many details of the plot I remember. I didn't love it or hate it, landing at either end of the rating scale usually being the best way to make a book memorable. The 'just okay' books, of which Walkabout was one (from what I remember) tend to be the ones I forget. I'm interested to see if I get more out of this than I did as a 15-year-old. To be continued...
5/7 - Not bad, not bad at all. A solid 3.5. I had a wobbly chin in one scene, which surprised me - that this would be able to evoke an emotional reaction from me was unexpected (only a small one, mind, but it was definitely there). I think I remember feeling disdain for the Aboriginal boy because it seemed to me that he willed himself to death when it wasn't necessary for him to die. His death was a senseless waste. That's what I thought when I was 15. I understand this strange behaviour slightly better now and found myself feeling strong irritation at Mary's irrational fears of the Aboriginal boy. If she hadn't shown fear in her eyes the boy probably would not have died. He'd already gotten over the cold he contracted from Peter and was getting better, but still he believed so fervently that Mary had seen the Spirit of Death in him that he was able to make himself die, make his body give up and shut down. For a slightly forced read so I could review it before donating it to the library this was quite enjoyable. I wouldn't read it again, but would recommend it to someone interested in some classic Australian fiction.
5/7 - Not bad, not bad at all. A solid 3.5. I had a wobbly chin in one scene, which surprised me - that this would be able to evoke an emotional reaction from me was unexpected (only a small one, mind, but it was definitely there). I think I remember feeling disdain for the Aboriginal boy because it seemed to me that he willed himself to death when it wasn't necessary for him to die. His death was a senseless waste. That's what I thought when I was 15. I understand this strange behaviour slightly better now and found myself feeling strong irritation at Mary's irrational fears of the Aboriginal boy. If she hadn't shown fear in her eyes the boy probably would not have died. He'd already gotten over the cold he contracted from Peter and was getting better, but still he believed so fervently that Mary had seen the Spirit of Death in him that he was able to make himself die, make his body give up and shut down. For a slightly forced read so I could review it before donating it to the library this was quite enjoyable. I wouldn't read it again, but would recommend it to someone interested in some classic Australian fiction.
stanczakweron's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
n_thalie's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
manwithanagenda's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
manela31's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
3.5
idontkaren's review against another edition
4.0
After seeing the movie many times, I decided to finally read the book. Not exactly the same--okay, barely the same--but just as interesting a survivor story. It was good, but I love the movie more. The book's description of the outback and its animals is super, my favorite part is when the kids observe a lyrebird. The film is way surreal and trippy at times, the book is straight up gritty realism. The book does get you more in the head of the characters, particularly the Boy and Mary, so their emotions and reasoning for certain things are less left to guesswork as in the film. Both book and film left me happily bummed out at the end, same as the characters- the feeling that anything difficult and scary is also wonderful at the same time, and will stick with you the rest of your life.
chameleonhound's review against another edition
2.0
The story was... interesting. Dated, for sure.
At any rate, DON'T READ THIS VERSION. Right smack dab in the middle of the book is a series of photographs from the movie, that tell the entire story of the movie. That's right, the book spoils itself with the movie version. And from what I can tell from reading the movie, it's a poor representation of an otherwise fairly simple book.
At any rate, DON'T READ THIS VERSION. Right smack dab in the middle of the book is a series of photographs from the movie, that tell the entire story of the movie. That's right, the book spoils itself with the movie version. And from what I can tell from reading the movie, it's a poor representation of an otherwise fairly simple book.
debnanceatreaderbuzz's review against another edition
4.0
Peter, eight, and Mary, thirteen, survive a plane crash and begin to try to walk to their original destination across many miles of the Australian backcountry. Along the way, they encounter a member of an indigenous group of people The boy is on a walkabout, a rite of passage for his group of people, but he decides to help the two children find their way. He teaches them to seek water and find food and make fire.
Walkabout is a vivid picture of almost uninhabited Australia, with beautiful descriptions of the wildlife and the plants and the land.
A 1001 Children’s Book You Must Read.
Walkabout is a vivid picture of almost uninhabited Australia, with beautiful descriptions of the wildlife and the plants and the land.
A 1001 Children’s Book You Must Read.
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