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A review by sharolyn
The Cherry Picker's Daughter by Kerry Reed-Gilbert
4.0
At heart this book is a tribute to 'mummy' (and all the unsung women like her), an incredible Aboriginal woman who worked tirelessly to make a good life for not only her 3 biological children but the 5 others she took in and raised as her own. Joyce is a pillar for her people and an example to us all of strength and dignity in the midst of adversity. The racism both subtle and overt which the family endured is sickening and embarrassing for white Australians.
The Australian landscape was another quiet hero of the story.
I found the postscript which detailed complicated family dynamics and fighting in more recent years a sad note to end on. Despite obvious hardship, so much of the story was about overcoming. To finish it with ongoing relationship tensions was unfortunate and even a bit confusing as I was left with more questions that answers.
I enjoyed Kerrie's tone throughout the main body of the memoir and felt honoured to hear her story in her 'child's voice'. 'Mummy's' life and legacy of love will stay with me.
The Australian landscape was another quiet hero of the story.
I found the postscript which detailed complicated family dynamics and fighting in more recent years a sad note to end on. Despite obvious hardship, so much of the story was about overcoming. To finish it with ongoing relationship tensions was unfortunate and even a bit confusing as I was left with more questions that answers.
I enjoyed Kerrie's tone throughout the main body of the memoir and felt honoured to hear her story in her 'child's voice'. 'Mummy's' life and legacy of love will stay with me.