Scan barcode
A review by nina_reads_books
Song of the Crocodile by Nardi Simpson
4.0
Song of the Crocodile by Nardi Simpson is an incredible debut novel. I love a good multigenerational saga and this delivered in spades.
The book is set in fictional Darnmoor, a small country town in Australia. When you arrive the sign proclaims “Darnmoor, The Gateway to Happiness” but the local Indigenous residents don’t get to live in Darnmoor proper, their homes are located out the back of the rubbish tip and are known as the Campgrounds.
The story centres around four generations of the Billymil family. We initially meet Margaret, then her daughter Celie, her granddaughter Milli and then finally the last generation Patrick and Yarrie. Just as you become invested in one character, time moves on and it’s time for the next generation’s turn in the spotlight. This was jarring but I think an effective storytelling tool.
There are layers of racial tension throughout the book between the white people of Darnmoor and the Indigenous people. The divide runs deep. Though there are moments of happiness and joy ultimately it is a tragedy that highlights the mpact of intergenerational trauma. It is a story of an Indigenous family over several generations but also a story of the effect of colonisation on Indigenous people and their land in Australia and the violence and injustices that they have experienced.
The truly clever and fascinating part of Song of The Crocodile was that interspersed between the stories of the Billymil family were chapters dedicated to the ancient spirits that spoke to the Indigenous people throughout history. These chapters were imaginative and exquisitely written. The use of animal totems, spiritual ancestors and an almost dream like alternate storyline was so different and really worked. I won’t pretend that I understood all of the imagery but it was wonderful to read!
The book is set in fictional Darnmoor, a small country town in Australia. When you arrive the sign proclaims “Darnmoor, The Gateway to Happiness” but the local Indigenous residents don’t get to live in Darnmoor proper, their homes are located out the back of the rubbish tip and are known as the Campgrounds.
The story centres around four generations of the Billymil family. We initially meet Margaret, then her daughter Celie, her granddaughter Milli and then finally the last generation Patrick and Yarrie. Just as you become invested in one character, time moves on and it’s time for the next generation’s turn in the spotlight. This was jarring but I think an effective storytelling tool.
There are layers of racial tension throughout the book between the white people of Darnmoor and the Indigenous people. The divide runs deep. Though there are moments of happiness and joy ultimately it is a tragedy that highlights the mpact of intergenerational trauma. It is a story of an Indigenous family over several generations but also a story of the effect of colonisation on Indigenous people and their land in Australia and the violence and injustices that they have experienced.
The truly clever and fascinating part of Song of The Crocodile was that interspersed between the stories of the Billymil family were chapters dedicated to the ancient spirits that spoke to the Indigenous people throughout history. These chapters were imaginative and exquisitely written. The use of animal totems, spiritual ancestors and an almost dream like alternate storyline was so different and really worked. I won’t pretend that I understood all of the imagery but it was wonderful to read!