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jfl's review against another edition
5.0
Critical to understanding the underlying power of Tim Winton's novels. Should be read along with Winton's The Boy Behind the Curtain.
kimswhims's review against another edition
5.0
No one is as homesick as an Aussie abroad and no one is as eloquent as a Tim Winton writing about his love of home and his relationship with the Aussie landscape.
Beautiful to listen to. I'll come back to this audiobook again.
Beautiful to listen to. I'll come back to this audiobook again.
laurabb's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
emma_russell's review against another edition
4.0
Having never read any of Tim Winton's work before, I had no idea what to expect upon beginning Island Home, and was somewhat concerned I wouldn't like it one bit - I'm so glad to be surprised. A beautiful and thought provoking series of essays, Winton's writings on modern, historical, cultural and natural Australia are brilliant.
I loved a passage in the introduction for articulating something I have never been able to, try as I might.
"Now and then of course, I just bolt. I pile a few chattels into the Landcruiser and hit the road. I drive until sunset and then pull over in a different state of mind, or even another state of the Federation altogether. There's often no purpose to these trips beyond the joy of being in the open, unrolling a swag in a creekbed or in a hollow between dunes, sitting by a fire and watching the stars come out like gooseflesh in the heavens. These headlong excursions begin as flights from enclosure and I know they sound like escapes, but to me they're more like calls answered. Within moments of leaving, once I've achieved some momentum, it's as if I'm subject to a homing impulse I barely understand."
"...it's not simply a matter of escaping the indoor servitude of working life. There is a palpable outward urge, a searching impulse, something embedded in our physical culture, our sensory make-up...
... for despite how cosseted and manicured and air-conditioned contemporary life has become, the land remains a tantalizing and watchful presence over our shoulder. We've imbibed it unwittingly; it's in our bones like a sacramental ache."
I loved a passage in the introduction for articulating something I have never been able to, try as I might.
"Now and then of course, I just bolt. I pile a few chattels into the Landcruiser and hit the road. I drive until sunset and then pull over in a different state of mind, or even another state of the Federation altogether. There's often no purpose to these trips beyond the joy of being in the open, unrolling a swag in a creekbed or in a hollow between dunes, sitting by a fire and watching the stars come out like gooseflesh in the heavens. These headlong excursions begin as flights from enclosure and I know they sound like escapes, but to me they're more like calls answered. Within moments of leaving, once I've achieved some momentum, it's as if I'm subject to a homing impulse I barely understand."
"...it's not simply a matter of escaping the indoor servitude of working life. There is a palpable outward urge, a searching impulse, something embedded in our physical culture, our sensory make-up...
... for despite how cosseted and manicured and air-conditioned contemporary life has become, the land remains a tantalizing and watchful presence over our shoulder. We've imbibed it unwittingly; it's in our bones like a sacramental ache."
steve_freddo's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
qofdnz's review against another edition
4.0
I love Tim Winton's work. His stories of Australia mirror our own in NZ in many ways.
baearles's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
3.75
crazybooklady_'s review against another edition
4.0
Described as a landscape memoir Island Home is really a love letter to the Australian landscape. For me no one describes and captures our landscape like Winton. His words speak to my soul and encapsulate and explain my connection to the country around me, the land I grew up around. Bleak and sparse it may appear to others and yet it holds a beauty and nostalgia within me.
As usual Winton's prose is lyrical and reverent and speaks of his true passion and understanding of the land. I loved the insight into his influences and experiences. His discussion of cultural, social and environmental issues is done with impunity and strength, a stripped back honesty. I loved everything about this piece of writing but it does require clear concentration when reading this to truly immerse yourself in his thoughts.
I highly recommend Island Home for fans of Winton's work and all lovers of the Australian landscape. Beware expats who pick this up as it will act as a sirens song leaving you nostalgic for home. A beautiful piece of writing really for anyone who has a love for the natural world, Australian or not.