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astridandlouise's Reviews (665)
Book Club: Louise's Selection
I was really interested to get into this book when Louise announced it as her selection. I don't remember this specific incident occurring but I do remember a number of government forced initiatives introduced that were mentioned toward the end of the book. I was hoping to get a deep insight into the troubled relationship between our peoples, especially of that in the top end of Australia but I was left slightly disappointed.
It is essentially a report and it definitely read as one. The structure of the prose was bland and slightly monotonous which may have been intentional, but left me wanting to feel a deeper connection and understanding to the case. It read very victim-centric but I attain that to Hooper being unable to access Hurley hence limiting her interpretation of him and his view of the incident.
Reading it I struggled to believe that this only occurred in 2004 and found the racism and lack of understanding toward the Indigenous People of Palm Island confronting and upsetting. Furthermore to read of all the promotions offered to so many of the Public Servants involved after the completion of this case that made such incredibly blind and self-serving decisions was mind blowing. Definitely showcasing white privilege at its finest. What rattles me even more is that I struggle to see a different outcome if a similar incident were to occur in 2019. As a country we have much still to learn and unfortunately a large proportion of our people continue to display a strong lack of interest to better our relationship with our Indigenous Communities.
I was really interested to get into this book when Louise announced it as her selection. I don't remember this specific incident occurring but I do remember a number of government forced initiatives introduced that were mentioned toward the end of the book. I was hoping to get a deep insight into the troubled relationship between our peoples, especially of that in the top end of Australia but I was left slightly disappointed.
It is essentially a report and it definitely read as one. The structure of the prose was bland and slightly monotonous which may have been intentional, but left me wanting to feel a deeper connection and understanding to the case. It read very victim-centric but I attain that to Hooper being unable to access Hurley hence limiting her interpretation of him and his view of the incident.
Reading it I struggled to believe that this only occurred in 2004 and found the racism and lack of understanding toward the Indigenous People of Palm Island confronting and upsetting. Furthermore to read of all the promotions offered to so many of the Public Servants involved after the completion of this case that made such incredibly blind and self-serving decisions was mind blowing. Definitely showcasing white privilege at its finest. What rattles me even more is that I struggle to see a different outcome if a similar incident were to occur in 2019. As a country we have much still to learn and unfortunately a large proportion of our people continue to display a strong lack of interest to better our relationship with our Indigenous Communities.
Book Club: My Selection
I really enjoyed the first and third part of this book (Mind and Soul), reading from Leila’s perspective and gaining an insight from the life events that shaped her. It really drew me in. The second part lost a bit of traction for me and didn’t have the same impact as experiencing the story from Leila’s viewpoint. The supporting characters weren’t as strong and I found the way in which these characters were introduced throughout the first part of the book to be quite formulaic.
I appreciated the structure of this book and it’s desire to give readers a life story using a different style structure (giving us the defining and important moments throughout someone’s life as they reminisce through their death) and I enjoyed the setting of Istanbul and rural Turkey which gave me knowledge about the culture and country that I didn’t have prior. The book didn’t grab me as I was hoping but there were parts I found engaging and important, and the writing was eloquent and lyrical throughout.
I really enjoyed the first and third part of this book (Mind and Soul), reading from Leila’s perspective and gaining an insight from the life events that shaped her. It really drew me in. The second part lost a bit of traction for me and didn’t have the same impact as experiencing the story from Leila’s viewpoint. The supporting characters weren’t as strong and I found the way in which these characters were introduced throughout the first part of the book to be quite formulaic.
I appreciated the structure of this book and it’s desire to give readers a life story using a different style structure (giving us the defining and important moments throughout someone’s life as they reminisce through their death) and I enjoyed the setting of Istanbul and rural Turkey which gave me knowledge about the culture and country that I didn’t have prior. The book didn’t grab me as I was hoping but there were parts I found engaging and important, and the writing was eloquent and lyrical throughout.
Book Club: Kayla's selection
Eye-opening and cleverly written book. One of those books that gives you the gift of knowledge and hopefully makes you a nicer more empathetic person.
Would have loved to know how he navigated rebuilding his career etc. after he left the medicine field, but I understand that this wasn't the book for him to explore that.
Loved the addition of the footnotes. That extra skerrick of information or sarcastic humour was helpful and also entertaining. (unsure of the layout for the footnotes in the physical book, but reading this digitally made it easy to refer to the footnotes when presented.
Eye-opening and cleverly written book. One of those books that gives you the gift of knowledge and hopefully makes you a nicer more empathetic person.
Would have loved to know how he navigated rebuilding his career etc. after he left the medicine field, but I understand that this wasn't the book for him to explore that.
Loved the addition of the footnotes. That extra skerrick of information or sarcastic humour was helpful and also entertaining. (unsure of the layout for the footnotes in the physical book, but reading this digitally made it easy to refer to the footnotes when presented.
Book Club: Caellum's selection
This book had a great premise but I found it lacking depth as well as lacking in emotive language which challenged my connection. I was more enveloped in the present day storyline than I was in the narrative of Portofino 1953 and didn't gel with the characters like I feel I should have. I found that they lacked a certain substance which irritated me. I feel proud that I managed to finish this book in all honesty.
This book had a great premise but I found it lacking depth as well as lacking in emotive language which challenged my connection. I was more enveloped in the present day storyline than I was in the narrative of Portofino 1953 and didn't gel with the characters like I feel I should have. I found that they lacked a certain substance which irritated me. I feel proud that I managed to finish this book in all honesty.
I received an advance reading copy of this book thanks to Dymocks.
This book is remarkable. Reading it I felt so naive in regards to our legal system (specifically focused on QLD in this memoir.) - you assume that your rights are at the forefront of the system and automatically upheld. Unfortunately this highlighted the out-of-date structure of the system (especially in regards to women's rights) and the all too present negative attitude of society toward women and specifically their right to defend themselves without negative connotations regarding their demeanor, personality or looks. I wouldn't think that the system could or would fail me (if I were to need it) and reading this highlighted that unfortunately this isn't the case for many, many women.
There were certain excerpts of the book that made my confront and understand my white privilege. Many books have attempted this, so few do it with such aplomb as Lee has within these pages.
Lee has given so much of herself to this book; that is more than evident within these pages. She has opened herself up to the Australian public (specifically the women of Australia) to give the voiceless a voice and to empower those who have felt powerless. She is articulate, defiant and strong. With this book she has gifted the world something extremely relevant and extremely powerful. I hope this memoir gives people (specifically women) the power to fight and believe.
This book is remarkable. Reading it I felt so naive in regards to our legal system (specifically focused on QLD in this memoir.) - you assume that your rights are at the forefront of the system and automatically upheld. Unfortunately this highlighted the out-of-date structure of the system (especially in regards to women's rights) and the all too present negative attitude of society toward women and specifically their right to defend themselves without negative connotations regarding their demeanor, personality or looks. I wouldn't think that the system could or would fail me (if I were to need it) and reading this highlighted that unfortunately this isn't the case for many, many women.
There were certain excerpts of the book that made my confront and understand my white privilege. Many books have attempted this, so few do it with such aplomb as Lee has within these pages.
Lee has given so much of herself to this book; that is more than evident within these pages. She has opened herself up to the Australian public (specifically the women of Australia) to give the voiceless a voice and to empower those who have felt powerless. She is articulate, defiant and strong. With this book she has gifted the world something extremely relevant and extremely powerful. I hope this memoir gives people (specifically women) the power to fight and believe.
I received an advance reading copy of this book thanks to Allen & Unwin.
I've noticed over the past eighteen months that my reading habits and preferences have slowly been changing. I've sensed an urge, and in a slightly patriotic sense have embraced quite a lot of Australian authors and Australian based novels into my repertoire. I think as I have aged I have developed an alternative view and appreciation for Australian writers and also the Australian landscape. That is most probably why I was compelled to read this from the get go.
The plot of this book is great. Reading the blurb on the inside cover you know you're heading into a murder massacre in which another double murder is uncovered, but you aren't prepared for the multiple story lines that greet you within the pages. It's brilliant how Hammer has created this small town layered with personalities that each play a pivotal role throughout the book. This is without a doubt the highlight of this novel. Hammer's construction of a plot with multidimensional characters in a multifaceted dying town is worth marveling over because he makes it feel so real. You read this and with strong conviction believe that you could potentially and unfortunately see a similar story unfold on the nightly news or read about in the morning newspapers. And just as you assume that you know what lies ahead, Hammer veers sharply to the right to make you question what you thought you knew and how it could potentially end.
Heading into this book you'd be forgiven for making comparisons with Jane Harper's The Dry. Similar setting, comparable genre, like minded protagonist. Unlike Harper's much acclaimed work I found this lagged in a few places throughout. Whilst I was compelled to discover the outcome, the writing style didn't leave me gagging to keep reading and finish as quickly as humanly possible as opposed to when I read The Dry. A stronger use of descriptive language and a higher sense of urgency could have undoubtedly made this an unforgettable piece of fiction for me.
I've noticed over the past eighteen months that my reading habits and preferences have slowly been changing. I've sensed an urge, and in a slightly patriotic sense have embraced quite a lot of Australian authors and Australian based novels into my repertoire. I think as I have aged I have developed an alternative view and appreciation for Australian writers and also the Australian landscape. That is most probably why I was compelled to read this from the get go.
The plot of this book is great. Reading the blurb on the inside cover you know you're heading into a murder massacre in which another double murder is uncovered, but you aren't prepared for the multiple story lines that greet you within the pages. It's brilliant how Hammer has created this small town layered with personalities that each play a pivotal role throughout the book. This is without a doubt the highlight of this novel. Hammer's construction of a plot with multidimensional characters in a multifaceted dying town is worth marveling over because he makes it feel so real. You read this and with strong conviction believe that you could potentially and unfortunately see a similar story unfold on the nightly news or read about in the morning newspapers. And just as you assume that you know what lies ahead, Hammer veers sharply to the right to make you question what you thought you knew and how it could potentially end.
Heading into this book you'd be forgiven for making comparisons with Jane Harper's The Dry. Similar setting, comparable genre, like minded protagonist. Unlike Harper's much acclaimed work I found this lagged in a few places throughout. Whilst I was compelled to discover the outcome, the writing style didn't leave me gagging to keep reading and finish as quickly as humanly possible as opposed to when I read The Dry. A stronger use of descriptive language and a higher sense of urgency could have undoubtedly made this an unforgettable piece of fiction for me.
okay, so i probably would have given this four stars if i didn't get sidetracked and bored after the first 600+ pages.
i was doing well until we got to the Afghanistan adventure. it was all downhill from there. i can honestly say it's never taken me close to two and a half years to finish a book, but there's always a first. but finally having finished, i feel like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders.
and can i just say, who on earth has that much shit happen to them in a lifetime. jesus.
it was well written and thought provoking, but there were times i really wanted to punch him in the face and tell him to toughen up. it was melodramatic in parts but overall his style of writing and storytelling moulds together well and gives the reader an experience of lin's Bombay without leaving the room you're in. and that's a feat for any writer to achieve.
i was doing well until we got to the Afghanistan adventure. it was all downhill from there. i can honestly say it's never taken me close to two and a half years to finish a book, but there's always a first. but finally having finished, i feel like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders.
and can i just say, who on earth has that much shit happen to them in a lifetime. jesus.
it was well written and thought provoking, but there were times i really wanted to punch him in the face and tell him to toughen up. it was melodramatic in parts but overall his style of writing and storytelling moulds together well and gives the reader an experience of lin's Bombay without leaving the room you're in. and that's a feat for any writer to achieve.