The kind of home environment that Victoria grew up in is not really conducive to stability, safety, or love. Of course, there are close relationships, and I don’t doubt that Victoria doesn’t love her mother – but the relationship is also extremely toxic. Victoria is the child, yet she is always expected to be the parent and caregiver for her mother. Treating children like they are adults (in this particular way) is a form of trauma that doesn’t go away easily. Continue reading
Tag Archives: Australian literature
A Review of “Every Day is Gertie Day” by Helen Meany
Instead of trying to look after the old, the poor, and the young – we are arguing over elf ears. Continue reading
A Review of Tabitha Carvan’s “This Is Not a Book About Benedict Cumberbatch”: unapologetically loving things
Carvan’s book is about motherhood and the changes it brings with it. It is (despite what the title suggests) also a little about her love of Benedict Cumberbatch. And it is about losing yourself and then finding a way back to yourself by exploring and embracing the things that bring you joy. Continue reading
Exploring Australia’s Colonial History: A review of “Devotion” by Hannah Kent
Devotion is an Australian colonial saga. It chronicles the Prussian and German immigrants who travelled to Australia, specifically to South Australia, in the 1800s. It is about love, loss, religious persecution, and the Australian landscape. Continue reading
“A Lonely Girl Is a Dangerous Thing”: book review of Jessie Tu’s Debut Novel
Since moving back to Australia, I have tried to read more literature from Australian authors. Getting books in English was already one challenge, and then getting Australian authors was another issue. In saying that, I have been enjoying reading more Aussie books and there is so much talent here! I was drawn to Jessie Tu’s … Continue reading
A Review of Kavita Bedford’s “Friends and Dark Shapes”: sharehouses, the gig economy, and millennial living
This is one of those times where I bought the book because the cover was just too beautiful. Despite the old saying about judging books, sometimes a good cover can work wonders on our buying habits – I am definitely not immune. The premise of the book – sharehouse living, figuring out adult life in … Continue reading
Review of “The Coconut Children” by Vivian Pham: immigrant voices in Australian literature
Sonny and Vince find each other in the chaos of trying to unpack their parents’ struggles and traumas as well as navigating the two worlds of Vietnamese culture and Australian culture. And possibly even a third culture – Vietnamese Australian identity. It is a beautiful and bittersweet teenage love that just had me sighing and clutching my heart. Continue reading
Where Is My Motivation? And what I have been reading lately
Find out what I have been reading since the end of summer! Continue reading
Climate Change Literature: A review of Richard Flanagan’s “The Living Sea of Waking Dreams”
Vanishing body parts, bush fires everywhere, and a dying mother. See what I thought of Richard Flanagan’s new novel “The Living Sea of Waking Dreams”. Continue reading
Book Review of “About A Girl”: transgender lives in Australia
About a Girl was written by Rebekah Robertson about her experiences as a mother of twins, and as a mother of a trans daughter. Although this goes beyond being just a memoir. I feel it is also a call to action which is both educational and deeply personal. Robertson wrote the book with Georgie’s (her … Continue reading
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