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A review by clareagrippina
Dark Emu by Bruce Pascoe
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.25
Listened to on audio book.
The controversy surrounding this book is that it presents itself as a historical authority, which is just ludicrous. The book is clearly a jumping off to inspire debate, challenge bias and actively invites further study into the assertions it makes.
Australia hasn't moved past the colonial lie that our indigenous culture was uncivilised, this book challenges that and uses the evidence of those original colonisers written observations.
In the effort to challenge the lie that Aboriginal and Torres Strait people were actually living in an advanced culture, I think the book can accidentally reinforce the idea that it would have been ok if the culture was simple and uncivilised. But that is a minor nitpick in the scope of the work.
If you read this are inspired to research more, or infuriated and research in an effort to disprove it, either way Bruce Pascoe has achieved his goals. Understanding the indigenous history of Australia and reconciling with that darker parts of colonisation will help produce a better history for all.
The controversy surrounding this book is that it presents itself as a historical authority, which is just ludicrous. The book is clearly a jumping off to inspire debate, challenge bias and actively invites further study into the assertions it makes.
Australia hasn't moved past the colonial lie that our indigenous culture was uncivilised, this book challenges that and uses the evidence of those original colonisers written observations.
In the effort to challenge the lie that Aboriginal and Torres Strait people were actually living in an advanced culture, I think the book can accidentally reinforce the idea that it would have been ok if the culture was simple and uncivilised. But that is a minor nitpick in the scope of the work.
If you read this are inspired to research more, or infuriated and research in an effort to disprove it, either way Bruce Pascoe has achieved his goals. Understanding the indigenous history of Australia and reconciling with that darker parts of colonisation will help produce a better history for all.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Colonisation