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A review by reign_kaur
A Fringe of Leaves by Patrick White
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
I had to study this book for uni. It's definitely not something that I would have picked up to read for myself normally, but I'm very glad that I have read it now. Only because I now have a good point of view from the colonists point of view.
The language was very difficult for me to get my head around and sink into. I had to Google a few things. However A Fringe of Leaves is sarcastic, witty, crude and so very white Australian.
The topics discussed in the book are extremely heavy and racist.
If you do plan on reading it, you should note that Fraser Island's Aboriginal population went from 3,000 to 218 by 1904 due to the government's Aboriginal extermination program.
It's also concerning how Patrick White is considered to be an activist for Indigenous rights. He is a good writer, but it not a good person.
If you want to read a book about the horrible history of Fraser Island painted in a positive light from the perspective of the first settlers, then read this.
Or, you could do what I did and read Finding Eliza by Larissa Behrendt instead.
The language was very difficult for me to get my head around and sink into. I had to Google a few things. However A Fringe of Leaves is sarcastic, witty, crude and so very white Australian.
The topics discussed in the book are extremely heavy and racist.
If you do plan on reading it, you should note that Fraser Island's Aboriginal population went from 3,000 to 218 by 1904 due to the government's Aboriginal extermination program.
It's also concerning how Patrick White is considered to be an activist for Indigenous rights. He is a good writer, but it not a good person.
If you want to read a book about the horrible history of Fraser Island painted in a positive light from the perspective of the first settlers, then read this.
Or, you could do what I did and read Finding Eliza by Larissa Behrendt instead.