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Title: Rabbit-Proof Fence: The True Story of One of the Greatest Escapes of All Time by Doris Pilkington ISBN: 0-7868-8784-2 Publisher: Miramax Pub. Date: December, 2002 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $11.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 4 (7 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: The longest walk
Comment: It's an insult to Doris Pilkington and to the children's endeavour alike to race through this book. Still, circumstances dictated [the film was waiting] and the deed was done. Which merely led to a re-read. This real-life story of three young girls escaping from the looming slavery of a Christian mission to return home is another entry on the balance sheet of imperialism. With immense forces arrayed against them, the three evaded all pursuit, even expert Aborigine trackers, to cross half a continent to rejoin their families. The distance covered was likely the longest walk in Australian history.
The roots of this story lie in the opening chapters which recount the actions of European visitors and settlers against the indigenous Australian population. Women were raped, murdered or abandoned. Men were killed, imprisoned, led into slavery as they watched their traditional lands overrun by cattle, sheep or grain. The ease with which firearms overcame spears added to the European's attitude of "superiority". By the time of Molly Craig's capture, killing had been mostly abandoned in favour of "assimilation" - a mild word for indentured servitude. Molly, recognised the fallacy of being forced into an unwanted life. She took steps to avoid this fate - many steps, as it turned out. Enough to hide from pursuers, do some elusive backtracking and arrive at home. At least 1800 km of mostly barefoot walking.
There were adventures enough along the way, and some ironies. Although alerted to their escape, the wives of white selectors fed, clothed and sheltered them briefly. Then dobbed them in to the police after the trio had again gone bush. The girls lived on donated food, captured rabbits, birds' eggs or whatever else the bush provided. Each contributed as best they could. It was enough. Seven weeks after their escape, two of the three were reunited with family. Yet, nine years later, Molly Craig, this time carrying her infant daughter, had to repeat her incredible performance.
To those complaining the book is too brief, one can only ask: "What would you add?". This is an Aborigine tale told in an Aborigine manner. It doesn't examine the lives and motivations of such people as A. O. Neville or Const. Rigg. It doesn't delve into the psychological foundations of Molly or Gracie or even Mrs Flanagan. The book presents the tale as it occurred without ostentation or enhancement. There are numerous works on the conquest of Australia and its "White Only" policy and its implications. This story, stark and simple, stands on its own merits. Don't read it too quickly. There is too much to learn. [stephen a. haines - Ottawa, Canada]
Rating: 3
Summary: I wish this were longer
Comment: What a great 300 page story packed into 100 pages. This is one of those stories that everyone should read, but sadly the delivery of the walk home is so straightforward. I wanted to know more about what the three girls went through, I wanted to really be able to see into them a little more. That said, western readers love characters. They do. It's a trait of being brought up on those books we all read in high school. This book does subvert expectations about character being central rather than journey or community. Indeed, journey and community are paramount to this story. But I still would have loved 200 more pages. So many places left me wanting for more landscape, more discussion of language, more description of the people. Just more. Read it, but know that there's a whole other story underneath this one as well.
Rating: 5
Summary: An unbelievable story that needed to be told!
Comment: Truly a profound story, but nothing can prepare you for what these 3 little girls endured through their travels. Their story is strong, gripping, compelling and enlightening.
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Title: The Whale Rider by Witi Ihimaera ISBN: 0152050167 Publisher: Harcourt Paperbacks Pub. Date: 01 May, 2003 List Price(USD): $8.00 |
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Title:Rabbit-Proof Fence ASIN: B00005JLD4 Publisher: Miramax Home Entertainment Pub. Date: 15 April, 2003 List Price(USD): $29.99 Comparison N/A, buy it from Amazon for $25.49 |
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Title: Wise Women of the Dreamtime: Aboriginal Tales of the Ancestral Powers by K. Langloh Parker, Joanna Lambert, Johanna Lambert ISBN: 0892814772 Publisher: Inner Traditions Intl Ltd Pub. Date: August, 1993 List Price(USD): $12.95 |
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Title: Once Were Warriors by Alan Duff ISBN: 0679761810 Publisher: Vintage Pub. Date: 28 February, 1995 List Price(USD): $12.00 |
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Title: Mutant Message Down Under by Marlo Morgan ISBN: 0060926317 Publisher: Perennial Pub. Date: 02 August, 1995 List Price(USD): $13.00 |
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