Reviews

Flock: First Nations Stories Then and Now by Ellen van Neerven

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blairmahoney's review against another edition

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3.0

An interesting collection with some strong stories, but unfortunately some that just weren't very good.

thatrandombookworm's review against another edition

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4.0

As all short story collections go, there and some stories better than others. There were no ‘bad’ stories, but some were more enjoyable than others. This is a collection of short indigenous stories and I absolutely adored it. Despite the length of the stories, some really struck a cord with me. For the most pain they were complex, really demonstrating the struggles the indigenous people have face. Notable themes are love (both romantic and violent platonic), family, grief, motherhood, and connections. My favourite of these stories are: Rodeo Girl by Michael Torres, Wildflower Girl by Alf Taylor, River Story by Mykalea Saunders, Dreamers by Melissa Lucashenko, and Frank Slim by Tony Birch

maddig96's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

zzara's review against another edition

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medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? N/A
Strong character development? N/A
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

henrymarlene's review against another edition

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4.0

These short stories have all been published previously over the last twenty-five years. That is not to say they have been well and truly read. It is the bringing of them all together in this flock that reignites their purpose, their meaning. The stories all reach out to hard places - racism, the unempowered, death, abuse, rape, stolen generations: "The evil always seemed not too far away". They also expose history that we all should know about. These stories question what has gone before, and what might be. These stories seem to take you on a cyclical journey, as if each story is pushing the reader to feel the joy and beauty of country and culture, thrashing abuse and terror, and the steps towards life renewed. All different but equally emotive and evocative. There is so much colour and texture in each story with voices across generations. There is heartache and heartbreak. "For sometimes it is the smallest thing that can bring comfort": these stories have again stretched their wings to fly.