This was my 50th book I read for the Australian Women Writer's Challenge and the final one I will review for the 2012 challenge (Review #38).
I got thiThis was my 50th book I read for the Australian Women Writer's Challenge and the final one I will review for the 2012 challenge (Review #38).
I got this book out of the library and ended up with the earlier edition (published in 1998), so I did not get the last decade or so of Ita's life story. However I will still do the review on this edition (and hopefully catch up on the later edition later).
Most Australians will acknowledge that Ita Buttrose is a woman well before her time. A strong, motivated and highly intelligent lady, she has paved the way for later generations of young women who also wish to rise to the top of their profession, despite their gender. It was very interesting to read of Ita's childhood and education and the way she got her start in journalism. As well as her great successes, Ita has also suffered some fairly devastating lows - but through good times and bad she has maintained a wonderful sense of decorum, professionalism and a great sense of humour.
As well as Ita's own story, this book also provided a snapshot of an Australia that has changed very rapidly in the past few decades. It's always fascinating to remember the little things you don't often think about.
Well written, easy to read and very inspirational I really enjoyed Ita's story and look forward to reading the later edition ASAP....more
It is 1992 in Sydney and police psychologist Rachel Addison is the only woman on the homicide squad. Fear is at fever pitch following the brutal murdeIt is 1992 in Sydney and police psychologist Rachel Addison is the only woman on the homicide squad. Fear is at fever pitch following the brutal murder of popular young nurse Lisa Broderick (which is very similar to the real life case of murdered nurse Anita Cobby in the 1980s). Adding to this already tense atmosphere are the bushfires that are surrounding the city worsening, it seems, each day.
Right from the start you get a sense of Rachel and the baggage she is carrying from a troubled childhood. As she and the homicide squad make progress on the case, her own anxiety begins to increase as repressed feelings and memories begin to surface. The suspense really picks up when it becomes apparent that the killer is in fact stalking Rachel.
The use of the bushfires was a fabulous touch - the heat and smoke were perfect metaphors for what is happening to Rachel and really add to the suspense and mystery of the story.
I thought this was a great psychological thriller. Not only does it capture the time and place perfectly, it also shows the reality of the "boys club" in the homicide squad and the less than respectful way women were still treated in the police service a mere twenty years ago. As the story reaches it's stunning conclusion you can literally feel the tension building and are jumping at every shadow along with Rachel.
Although twenty years old, this book holds its own and will have you watching your back as you turn the pages....more
Horrible subject matter aside, this was quite an interesting book. I was intrigued by it mainly because I just didn't understand what had driven a manHorrible subject matter aside, this was quite an interesting book. I was intrigued by it mainly because I just didn't understand what had driven a man who seemed to have two such distinct sides to his personality. In that sense I was left a little disappointed - because while this book details the crime and the aftermath, it doesn't really explain Herman himself and the darkness within him.
I did get the sense that Herman was a man who obviously battled his dark side, but made no real attempt to defeat it. Rather he used his business interests (involving a lot of travel)to regularly submerge himself in the murky world of swinging. He had gotten away with it for years with no suspicion from his wife or family - but then one night it all fell apart in the worst possible way when he tangled with the wrong people.
What I did get from this book was the sense that the people who did murder Herman probably didn't set out to do so. From sad and depressing backgrounds themselves, they made a series of bad decisions that ultimately ended in a death. That is absolutely no excuse of course, nor is the sickening way they attempted to cover up the crime, but with hindsight Herman himself would probably have seen that he ignored several sinister red flags in his quest for a quick thrill.
Well written and easy to read, I had no problems finishing this book - but was left feeling very sad for all involved in this horrific crime....more
Maddy is 42 years old and in a rut. A newcomer to Australia, she is struggling to find her feet while her two kids and husband seem to have settled inMaddy is 42 years old and in a rut. A newcomer to Australia, she is struggling to find her feet while her two kids and husband seem to have settled in well at work and school. Desperate for a new outlet but just not sure what she wants, Maddy finds her answer one night as she searches for a doctors surgery for her ill son. A dancing studio catches her eye and on a whim, Maddy signs up for lessons - having no clue just what an impact it will have on her life.
Many women would be able to relate to Maddy's feelings - she is a giver to everybody except herself. While she has carefully buried her past as a dancer, that spark still exists within her and it doesn't take much to bloom back to full strength. Her family aren't entirely happy with her new hobby - after all it means she will be less available for them. Yet Maddy knows if she doesn't take a stand now, she never will.
Well written and easy to read, Dancing Backwards in High Heels explores many themes common to women worldwide. It is ultimately an uplifting story that celebrates the different passions each one of us has and why it is so important for us to embrace them - no matter what other people think....more
Katherine Elgin always wanted to be a writer, but faced many hurdles in pursuit of her dream. From a small coastal town in New South Wales, she first Katherine Elgin always wanted to be a writer, but faced many hurdles in pursuit of her dream. From a small coastal town in New South Wales, she first has to break free of the confines of her conservative upbring, then World War Two happens and the expectation to be part of the war effort. Next comes marraige and motherhood - which also conspire to keep the brakes on her writing career. Her marriage to a fellow writer is not a particularly happy or fulfilling one and her writing ambitions always take a back seat to his.
I found the format a little disjointed - switching between times and places - Australia, London, The Greek Islands - all in a bit of a random fashion. The story also vacillates between Katherine herself and Cressida the character in the novel she is writing (who, it turn is actually based on Katherine). I don't think this multi POV worked really well (for me, anyway). But it could just be that this is a different type of book than I normally read.
I will admit I didn't really like Katherine/Cressida. I did try to, but she just came across as a bit of a victim and I couldn't warm to her. Many women would understand how personal ambition can be swallowed by marriage and motherhood, but Katherine didn't seem to see the positives in her life as she struggled to become a writer.
The true strength of this book is in the writing. It really is beautiful - with a flow and rythm as smooth as silk. Although the storyline itself is sad and quite depressing at times, the writing style keeps you engaged and coming back for more.
I will admit this is not the kind of book I would normally read, but I am glad I branched out a little and tried a different genre. For those who like a more literary style of book, I am sure you would enjoy this one....more
A nice, quick read of short stories by Monica McInerney told in her usual easy, engaging style. A large part of the book is the novella 'Odd One Out',A nice, quick read of short stories by Monica McInerney told in her usual easy, engaging style. A large part of the book is the novella 'Odd One Out', so if you've already read it, the rest of the stories are quite brief.(less) ...more
Margot and Dot were once active members of a women's rights group back in the 1960s, but gradually lost touch after Margot got married and settled intMargot and Dot were once active members of a women's rights group back in the 1960s, but gradually lost touch after Margot got married and settled into family life. Their friendship is renewed after Margot sees a (still protesting) Dot staging a one woman demonstration at a shopping mall in Sydney. Age has apparently done little to dampen Dot's passion for life and standing up for what she believes in, which causes Margot to examine her own suburban life and leaves her wondering if life has passed her by in regard to her own ambitions.
There are many other dramas going on in this delightful story - Margot's ex-husband Laurence is struggling to come to terms with a life changing event, her sister Phylidia learns a painful truth about her husband and both her daughters are caught up in their own crises. Amidst all this, Margot cannot quell her long buried desire to be a writer.
It is refreshing to read a story that not only has older women as the main characters but that portrays them in an interesting and positive way. Margot and Dot are strong, well-rounded characters with a lot of depth, highlighting the fact that people do not become boring or lose passion for life just because they get older.
There are plenty of elements to keep the story moving in Last Chance Cafe. Well written in an easy and engaging style, it kep me interested right until the last page.
A really enjoyable read for any age group, although older women may relate to it more strongly. ...more
Softie and Garry are from two different worlds. She is an accomplished career woman from a middle class background and he grew up in foster care afterSoftie and Garry are from two different worlds. She is an accomplished career woman from a middle class background and he grew up in foster care after a horrific childhood incident and takes life very much as he finds it. They were never really suited for one another, but Softie went against her better judgement and settled. Why? Because she was approaching 40 and desperately wanted a child. In hindsight she knows it was the wrong decision, yet at the time Garry was there and available. And like many women Softie believed that she just might be able to "fix" him.
This novel is told in quite an unusual way and as you start reading you wonder when you are actually going to come across what is described in the main blurb of the story. Told through the eyes of outsiders, it shows the whole situation from different angles and perspectives - which I thought actually worked really well. The main voice is that of a man in his sixties, who as a character I thought was absolutely spot on. You could imagine this man easily, right down to his old man wardrobe and what he has for dinner each night.
Matilda is missing delves into the horrible reality of the fractured families and how the courts deal with them. It shows there are never really any winners and that things are ultimately best left out of it altogether if possible. It also shows that judges in such cases are fallible too - they don't always get it right and when that happens the fallout can be tragic.
This book also explores the theme of the biological clock and how women are pressured by the medical profession, family, friends and their own biology to settle for just about anybody if it means you can have a baby by a certain age. Softie herself knows she is making the wrong choice but does it anyway, so strong is that time pressure.
Matilda is Missing deals with uncomfortable subject matter in such a way that is easy to read. The way the story is structured is suspenseful in that you are drawn into each different angle and ultimately want to know what really happened to Matilda. ...more
Back in 2002 Nicole MacLean was just an average twenty three year old. From a close knit family in suburban Melbourne, she had a job she loved, a wideBack in 2002 Nicole MacLean was just an average twenty three year old. From a close knit family in suburban Melbourne, she had a job she loved, a wide circle of friends and enjoyed a busy social life. Having previously been to Bali, she was happy to go back for a relaxing break with some friends. Touching down on the afternoon of October 12th 2002, she hadn’t even finished unpacking when she made the fateful decision to go out to the Sari Club. Enjoying the music on the dance floor one minute, her life as she knows it is altered forever when the bomb goes off.
Nicole acknowledges that she would not be here today if it weren’t for the actions of her friend Nat, who risked her own life to get Nicole to safety and then managed to squeeze her on the back of an open ute that was going to a nearby clinic. Unaware of just how badly she is injured, Nicole only has fragmented memories of the horrific hours that followed until she is eventually loaded on a Hercules aircraft and flown back to Australia. Having told her parents she has a fractured arm and a sore leg, they are devastated when they arrive in Darwin to find she is on the brink of death. With her right arm hanging on by a thread and badly infected and a massive shrapnel wound on her thigh, doctors make the decision to evacuate her home to Melbourne where she can get the specialist care she desperately needs.
Stronger now chronicles Nicole’s long road to recovery and the aftermath of being involved in the horrific Bali bombings. After a desperate attempt to save her arm, eventually doctors are left with no choice but to amputate up near the shoulder. Nicole must also deal with shrapnel wounds in her back as well as the huge hole on her thigh. As well as that though, she has to come to terms with the mental aftermath of a near death experience and the senselessness of terrorist activity.
Despite all she has been through, Stronger Now is ultimately a story of hope. In the years following Bali Nicole gradually got her life back on track – driving, returning to work, getting married and having a baby. Through the traumas she has lived through, Nicole has come to realise that anything is possible with the right attitude and that there is still a lot of good in the world.
Stronger Now is an easy read in terms of language and readability, but confronting at times when detailing some of the things she experienced in Bali. Nevertheless it is ultimately an inspiring book that celebrates the human spirit and shows that anything is possible – even with one arm. ...more
Growing up on the beautiful West Australian coast, all Desi ever wanted to do was work with dolphins. As a teenager that dream comes true when she getGrowing up on the beautiful West Australian coast, all Desi ever wanted to do was work with dolphins. As a teenager that dream comes true when she gets a job at the Atlantis marine park near her home town. Devastated when the park is closed, she is thrilled to meet Connor, a young American who is just as passionate about dolphins as she is. Their relationship is passionate but brief when he is tragically killed, leaving her pregnant and alone. She works hard to provide a living for her daughter Maya, but is forced to leave her own passions behind for the sake of practicality. Then one impulsive action on Desi’s behalf results in her spending time in prison, leaving behind a splintered family and a community that ostracises her.
Spanning several continents and told via multiple points of view, Shallow Breath has many threads that join together as the story progresses. Told both in present and past tense, you come to learn of just what has happened to Desi and what keeps motivating her to embrace what she is so passionate about. Suspenseful and compelling, you cannot help but be drawn into the ever evolving story, while gradually learning the back story of the main characters. I thought the multi POV worked well and didn’t ever feel like I lost my sense of time and place.
Underlying all the family drama and the element of mystery of the past is the theme of wildlife conservation, primarily dolphins. Sara Foster has been extremely thorough in her research of the topic, managing to present a lot of (at times) alarming factual information within the confines of a fictional story. At times I thought there was some blurring between “showing” and “telling” this information, but can appreciate the difficulty of blending fact into fiction. In saying that though you cannot help but be affected by the plight of wildlife and horrified at some of the barbaric practices that still occur today. It certainly gave me an appreciation of just what conservation activists believe in and the realisation that without them many, many more animals would be extinct today.
Although not quite as suspenseful as her previous novels, Shallow Breath takes you on a different journey, exploring how choices always have consequences and celebrating the bravery of those people willing to stand up for what they believe in, no matter what the outcome may be. ...more
Isolated by the tyranny of distance, thousands of tiny outback communities continue to survive against all odds, due largely to the strenght and tenacIsolated by the tyranny of distance, thousands of tiny outback communities continue to survive against all odds, due largely to the strenght and tenacity of the people who poopulate them. With most of the Australian population residing in the major cities, little attention is paid to those who make a home in the outback. So it was very interesting to read a book focused entirely on a handful of these reamarkable Australians.
With each chapter highlighting the story of a particular individual, Sue Williams has explored the journey of a variety of different people living in various outback communities. From an African woman in Alice Springs who made it her mission to help other migrants adjust to their new life in Australia to a selfless couple who took on the care of their five orphaned nieces and nephews at an age when they should have been considering retirement, this book is packed with inspirational stories of people who refuse to give up, no matter what life throws at them.
With some truly heartbreaking stories within, Outback Spirit will have you reaching for the tissues, as well as smiling with pride at the amazing exploits of a whole different breed of people, those of the Australian Outback....more
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