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sabrinaw's review
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
so beautiful and captivating - I could tell from really early on that this would become a new favourite. Kind of gave me little women but set in gundegai vibes - a book with almost no men and about young girls growing up without much material wealth but surrounded by love and imagination. And also reminded me of my own childhood in a way? Lots of time spent outside playing pretend and living out of town in the country. I loved every detail but especially how much Aunty Bubby loved wuthering heights and Epictetus, and how much Aunty Boo hated men but loved little animals.
Here was one of my favourite quotes:
"'D'ya ever worry 'bout ta soul, Sista?' Aunty Bubby was trying to be serious but her mouth were twitching. 'Ever think ya might miss out on heaven?'
'Nah, I don't want to go there anyway. Nah, not me. I'd rather rot in the dirt an' make the flowers grow'"
And also this one:
"'You might live to be a hundred and get a telegram from the Queen,' I said.
'Tell ya what, if I gotta telegram from her majesty, I'll wipe my arse on it an' send it straight back. Coz that's what I thinka her'"
I am already looking forward to a re-read <3 <3 <3
Here was one of my favourite quotes:
"'D'ya ever worry 'bout ta soul, Sista?' Aunty Bubby was trying to be serious but her mouth were twitching. 'Ever think ya might miss out on heaven?'
'Nah, I don't want to go there anyway. Nah, not me. I'd rather rot in the dirt an' make the flowers grow'"
And also this one:
"'You might live to be a hundred and get a telegram from the Queen,' I said.
'Tell ya what, if I gotta telegram from her majesty, I'll wipe my arse on it an' send it straight back. Coz that's what I thinka her'"
I am already looking forward to a re-read <3 <3 <3
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Racial slurs, and Racism
traceyanderson's review
challenging
informative
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Bullying, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Religious bigotry, Stalking, Murder, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
alice_12's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
_hex_libris's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
bookishbriony's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
awordfortomorrow's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-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? It's complicated
5.0
What a beautiful story this is. One of my favourite reads of all time. The sweet mischievousness of the Aunties and the voice of children telling the story weave a magical and important story. The hilarious experiences of kids in a semi-religious household, the way outsiders attempt to change life for these strong women, and the tasty finale where the mix of action and circumstance leave us cheering for the beautiful souls in the story. Read it.
drbatfcc's review against another edition
4.0
Memoir of a Wiradjuri author from Australia. I had the opportunity to meet the author at the National Book Festival where she and fellow Aboriginal authors spoke about the importance of representation, literature, and more.
jouljet's review
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
grebegirl's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
A really lovely narrative about family, strong women and the joys and hardships of growing up Aboriginal in Australia in the 1960s. I loved Auntie Boo. She was the best. It doesn't follow a set narrative, rather the characters tell the stories in their own words with a cup of tea and surrounded by family and pets.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Racism