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bookpossum's review
3.0
I found this a rather curious book, but quite enjoyable. The chapters alternate between the central character's own story, and her imagining herself observing or participating in various historical events in Australia's history since the arrival of the British to claim and colonise the continent.
It was published in 1988, the bicentennial year of the arrival of the First Fleet and the beginning of the colony which became Sydney. Grenville's book makes the point that the way our history is told means that the many "little people", especially women, are not deemed worthy of mention in our histories, but that they were there and a part of what happened.
It was published in 1988, the bicentennial year of the arrival of the First Fleet and the beginning of the colony which became Sydney. Grenville's book makes the point that the way our history is told means that the many "little people", especially women, are not deemed worthy of mention in our histories, but that they were there and a part of what happened.
tasmanian_bibliophile's review
4.0
‘What a big thing this business of history is, and what absurd bits and pieces make it up.’
In many history books, women are at the periphery or somewhere in the background. They are rarely anywhere near centre stage for the big moments. A number of learned, historiographers, historians and others (often women) have written about this perplexing absence of women. It’s serious stuff.
But if you want a light-hearted look at a woman’s role in Australia’s European history, it’s hard to go past this book by Kate Grenville. In this book, Joan is present at all of the important (read famous) moments in Australia’s European history. Joan gives her own version of what happened, covering the bits that other historians have left, providing a fresh and frequently irreverent look at events.
Yes, it’s light-hearted but it invites the reader to think about who determines what is included in history, and on what basis. What is important, and to whom? Why?
Joan herself is many different women. In one chapter she is a new-born baby, in another a female convict. Joan is also a free settler, an aboriginal woman. She experiences the first landing in 1788, the search for gold in the 19th century and Federation at the beginning of the 20th.
The delivery may be light-hearted (and humorous at times) but the underlying message is important. How can we really appreciate and understand human history without knowing more about the role of women within it?
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
In many history books, women are at the periphery or somewhere in the background. They are rarely anywhere near centre stage for the big moments. A number of learned, historiographers, historians and others (often women) have written about this perplexing absence of women. It’s serious stuff.
But if you want a light-hearted look at a woman’s role in Australia’s European history, it’s hard to go past this book by Kate Grenville. In this book, Joan is present at all of the important (read famous) moments in Australia’s European history. Joan gives her own version of what happened, covering the bits that other historians have left, providing a fresh and frequently irreverent look at events.
Yes, it’s light-hearted but it invites the reader to think about who determines what is included in history, and on what basis. What is important, and to whom? Why?
Joan herself is many different women. In one chapter she is a new-born baby, in another a female convict. Joan is also a free settler, an aboriginal woman. She experiences the first landing in 1788, the search for gold in the 19th century and Federation at the beginning of the 20th.
The delivery may be light-hearted (and humorous at times) but the underlying message is important. How can we really appreciate and understand human history without knowing more about the role of women within it?
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
mandi_m's review
Really unique look through our history but I'm undecided as to whether it really works for me or not. Some of stories were beautiful and moving with really tender moments but some I don't hink I fully "got".
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