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serendipitysbooks's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
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Mullumbimby was a fabulous read. It’s centred on an Aboriginal woman who uses money from her divorce settlement to buy some land near Mullumbimby (unceded land of the Bundjalung Nation,northern New South Wales, Australia), partly as a way to reconnect with her Aboriginal heritage.
Jo is a wonderful character - strong, hardworking, forthright and unapologetic - who owns the page in the best possible way. I loved seeing her connection with the land and with animals, especially horses - although animal lovers be forewarned, one scene is emotionally very difficult to read. I thought her relationship with her teenage daughter Ellen was both realistic and nuanced - a mix of love and frustration; likewise her relationship with her boyfriend Twoboy. Where this book excelled was the many ways it explored the issues involving Aboriginal Australians and their links to the land. The depictions of the natural environment - land, plants and animals (you know I paid special attention to the birds, who play a key role in the plot) - was especially vivid, and the plot highlighted the importance of Aboriginal spiritual beliefs and traditional knowledge. I also appreciated seeing some of the issues surrounding Native Title explored such as issues around being able to access the system, the difficulties involved in supplying paper documentation for cultures which had strong oral traditions, and the way the process could divide aboriginal communities and pit neighbours and family members against each other.
I loved the language, the way plenty of Australian vernacular as well as indigenous language is incorporated in the novel. If you are planning to give this book a go I recommend the audio so you can hear the words as they are meant to be said. A glossary is provided in the print edition but I wasn’t lost without one; context was sufficient for comprehension.
This book had me from the very first sentence - a rather profane riff on the famous Pride and Prejudice opening- and never let up. It may not be perfect but it is certainly a contemporary Australian gem.Â
Mullumbimby was a fabulous read. It’s centred on an Aboriginal woman who uses money from her divorce settlement to buy some land near Mullumbimby (unceded land of the Bundjalung Nation,northern New South Wales, Australia), partly as a way to reconnect with her Aboriginal heritage.
Jo is a wonderful character - strong, hardworking, forthright and unapologetic - who owns the page in the best possible way. I loved seeing her connection with the land and with animals, especially horses - although animal lovers be forewarned, one scene is emotionally very difficult to read. I thought her relationship with her teenage daughter Ellen was both realistic and nuanced - a mix of love and frustration; likewise her relationship with her boyfriend Twoboy. Where this book excelled was the many ways it explored the issues involving Aboriginal Australians and their links to the land. The depictions of the natural environment - land, plants and animals (you know I paid special attention to the birds, who play a key role in the plot) - was especially vivid, and the plot highlighted the importance of Aboriginal spiritual beliefs and traditional knowledge. I also appreciated seeing some of the issues surrounding Native Title explored such as issues around being able to access the system, the difficulties involved in supplying paper documentation for cultures which had strong oral traditions, and the way the process could divide aboriginal communities and pit neighbours and family members against each other.
I loved the language, the way plenty of Australian vernacular as well as indigenous language is incorporated in the novel. If you are planning to give this book a go I recommend the audio so you can hear the words as they are meant to be said. A glossary is provided in the print edition but I wasn’t lost without one; context was sufficient for comprehension.
This book had me from the very first sentence - a rather profane riff on the famous Pride and Prejudice opening- and never let up. It may not be perfect but it is certainly a contemporary Australian gem.Â
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death and Self harm
Moderate: Racism
sneako's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Self harm, Mental illness, and Violence
Minor: Pedophilia
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