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erinreadstheworld 's review for:
Song of the Crocodile
by Nardi Simpson
Nardi Simpson has written an absolutely stunning book. Song of the Crocodile is enchanting, evocative and emotionally charged.
The book is an immersive, multigenerational tale. It has three parts, all told from different perspectives. It beautifully weaves the story of three generations, with Dreamtime legend, with spirituality and Yuwaalaraay language.
Darnmoor is home to the Billymill family. It's also known as the 'Gateway to Happiness' or a small town you drive straight through on your way to somewhere better. Darnmoor has a dark past and present. It's a town full of white, very rascist settlers.
The Billymill family (who we follow over many, many years) live in the campgrounds outside of town. The Aboriginal people in Darnmoor are barely tolerated, and life seems to get harder with each generation. We see each generation dealing with their ancestral trauma while trying to make life better for themselves and their children.
Song of the Crocodile is such a beautifully written book. It's lyrical, poignant and has so much depth.
The book is full of sorrow and anger. Each character faces racism and tragic injustices. It's heartbreaking but horribly accurate. It's violent and visceral, not shying away from the reality of the history of white settlement and the colonisation of our First Nations people.
Even with all the tragedy and sorrow, this book is brimming with love. It's love that connects the characters. It's what creates the bonds both in life and in death.
The book is interspersed with the spiritual and Yuwaalaraay lore and language is used throughout. This adds a whole extra layer to the book, really bringing everything together. The legend told throughout was my favourite part of the book.
Nardi Simpson is beyond talented. She's been performing music for over 20 years, and her affinity with the power of songs shines through the book. Her writing has so much rhythm and richness to it.
It's certainly a slow paced, emotive book. It's not the kind of book you can just rush through. It demands your time and attention. But your time and attention are certainly worth devoting to the characters and their stories.
The book is an immersive, multigenerational tale. It has three parts, all told from different perspectives. It beautifully weaves the story of three generations, with Dreamtime legend, with spirituality and Yuwaalaraay language.
Darnmoor is home to the Billymill family. It's also known as the 'Gateway to Happiness' or a small town you drive straight through on your way to somewhere better. Darnmoor has a dark past and present. It's a town full of white, very rascist settlers.
The Billymill family (who we follow over many, many years) live in the campgrounds outside of town. The Aboriginal people in Darnmoor are barely tolerated, and life seems to get harder with each generation. We see each generation dealing with their ancestral trauma while trying to make life better for themselves and their children.
Song of the Crocodile is such a beautifully written book. It's lyrical, poignant and has so much depth.
The book is full of sorrow and anger. Each character faces racism and tragic injustices. It's heartbreaking but horribly accurate. It's violent and visceral, not shying away from the reality of the history of white settlement and the colonisation of our First Nations people.
Even with all the tragedy and sorrow, this book is brimming with love. It's love that connects the characters. It's what creates the bonds both in life and in death.
The book is interspersed with the spiritual and Yuwaalaraay lore and language is used throughout. This adds a whole extra layer to the book, really bringing everything together. The legend told throughout was my favourite part of the book.
Nardi Simpson is beyond talented. She's been performing music for over 20 years, and her affinity with the power of songs shines through the book. Her writing has so much rhythm and richness to it.
It's certainly a slow paced, emotive book. It's not the kind of book you can just rush through. It demands your time and attention. But your time and attention are certainly worth devoting to the characters and their stories.