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Listening to Country: A Journey to the Heart of What It Means to Belong
From a trip made by the author to the Australian desert to spend time learning the secrets and hearing the stories of her husband's family's matriarchs, comes a warm, intimate account providing rare insight into the spiritual and emotional world of Aboriginal womenRos Moriarty is a white woman married to an Aboriginal man. Over the course of many visits to her husband's family, she was fascinated to discover that the older tribal women of his family had a deep sense of happiness and purpose that transcended the abject material poverty, illness, and increasing violence of their community—a happiness that she feels is related to an essential "warmth of heart" that these women say has gone missing in today's world. In May 2006, she had the chance to spend time in the Tanami Desert in north central Australia with 200 Aboriginal women, performing women's Law ceremonies. Here is the story of that trip and her friend
264 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
January 28, 2015
Now first off, I have been to Borroloola, and have lived in indigenous inhabitant majority townships such as Katherine & Kununurra, as well as 3 years living in Darwin where I worked supplying Doctors and Allied Health Professionals to remote clinics including in Borroloola.
I HATED this book.
I felt nothing but irritation and contempt for the author's apparent desire to tell the story of her husband's family, and yet she spent more time talking about her children (living in Adelaide) and their business. Aaargh!
I also found her 'sadness' for what her husband 'lost' after being 'ripped' from Borroloola, condescending and quite frankly sickening. If I were her husband I'd be asking myself if she felt anything other than pity for him to base her love on.
I wanted to read this book to challenge my existing views. It offered nothing with regards to worthwhile content for me to even consider my opinion to be questioned, never mind changed.
Never have I felt such anger at a book!
I HATED this book.
I felt nothing but irritation and contempt for the author's apparent desire to tell the story of her husband's family, and yet she spent more time talking about her children (living in Adelaide) and their business. Aaargh!
I also found her 'sadness' for what her husband 'lost' after being 'ripped' from Borroloola, condescending and quite frankly sickening. If I were her husband I'd be asking myself if she felt anything other than pity for him to base her love on.
I wanted to read this book to challenge my existing views. It offered nothing with regards to worthwhile content for me to even consider my opinion to be questioned, never mind changed.
Never have I felt such anger at a book!
October 1, 2018
Another one for my 2018 reading challenge and I am finding out so much about Australian history and Indigenous Australia that I feel I'm seeing a completely new side to everything I was ever taught in school. This one along with Stan Grant's Talking to My Country have given me so much to think about.
This memoir is of Ros Moriarty and her experiences of being welcomed into her husband's indigenous family, learning the law, language and lifestyle. It is also the story of her husband, John, and his experiences of being stolen from his mother at 4, of finding her again (by pure chance) at 15, of being Indigenous in Australia, of balancing the modern world and ancient traditions.
Ros clearly deeply respects the ancient traditions and is doing her best to share that love and respect with us - both she and the elders of the community are in despair over the breaking of tradition as elders die away without being able to pass on their knowledge.
Alcohol, violence, depression and lack of education have impacted generation after generation. Decades of government interventions and policies (some with good intentions and many not so much) have mostly been implemented without actual consultation with the communities they affect. Compounded over generations it is no wonder issues in indigenous communities are complex and deeply ingrained with no simple solutions.
At the heart of this story is a deep love for family, land and home and if you don't finish reading this with a deeper respect for Indigenous Australians then there is something wrong with you.
This memoir is of Ros Moriarty and her experiences of being welcomed into her husband's indigenous family, learning the law, language and lifestyle. It is also the story of her husband, John, and his experiences of being stolen from his mother at 4, of finding her again (by pure chance) at 15, of being Indigenous in Australia, of balancing the modern world and ancient traditions.
Ros clearly deeply respects the ancient traditions and is doing her best to share that love and respect with us - both she and the elders of the community are in despair over the breaking of tradition as elders die away without being able to pass on their knowledge.
Alcohol, violence, depression and lack of education have impacted generation after generation. Decades of government interventions and policies (some with good intentions and many not so much) have mostly been implemented without actual consultation with the communities they affect. Compounded over generations it is no wonder issues in indigenous communities are complex and deeply ingrained with no simple solutions.
At the heart of this story is a deep love for family, land and home and if you don't finish reading this with a deeper respect for Indigenous Australians then there is something wrong with you.
September 21, 2025
Ros Moriarty’s Listening to Country touches on a rare and important subject: the life, traditions, and struggles of Aboriginal people in Australia. Unfortunately, while the theme has enormous potential, the execution leaves much to be desired.
Instead of a cohesive narrative, readers are met with a fragmented collection of memories, reflections, and side notes, jumping between family life, business anecdotes, and brief glimpses of Aboriginal spirituality. The structure is disjointed, the pacing slow, and the style overly emotional without the clarity needed to engage the reader. Too often, valuable cultural insights are buried under tangents and confusing chronology.
The book does carry some educational value, as it sheds light on a history and world view that remain underrepresented in literature. Yet as a reading experience, it can be monotonous, frustrating, and at times even sleep inducing. What could have been a profound exploration of culture and identity ends up feeling more like a scattered personal diary.
Verdict: An informative but poorly executed memoir that sacrifices readability for meandering detail. Worth skimming for cultural insights, but unsatisfying as a narrative.
Instead of a cohesive narrative, readers are met with a fragmented collection of memories, reflections, and side notes, jumping between family life, business anecdotes, and brief glimpses of Aboriginal spirituality. The structure is disjointed, the pacing slow, and the style overly emotional without the clarity needed to engage the reader. Too often, valuable cultural insights are buried under tangents and confusing chronology.
The book does carry some educational value, as it sheds light on a history and world view that remain underrepresented in literature. Yet as a reading experience, it can be monotonous, frustrating, and at times even sleep inducing. What could have been a profound exploration of culture and identity ends up feeling more like a scattered personal diary.
Verdict: An informative but poorly executed memoir that sacrifices readability for meandering detail. Worth skimming for cultural insights, but unsatisfying as a narrative.
January 4, 2019
I generally like the book, it has a nice personal touch of the author's experiences. Nevertheless, it is hard to follow the timeline as the author jumps from one event to another, not always in a chronological order. Maybe on one hand it helps to compare the present and the past, but on the other hand it is a bit difficult to catch up. Anyway, she describes the Aboryginal culture and its change throughout the years. I can recommend it to everyone interested in Aborygens, their customs and problems from the point of view of "white" person.
April 23, 2018
I found this book in a hostel in Vietnam and picked it up thinking it'd be nice to learn a bit more about Aboriginal culture from an intimate perspective. The author writes really nicely and it's a pleasure reading about their travels around Australia, where her descriptive language does a good job of conveying the sense of belonging to family and the connection of the people to their country.
It's too much sentimental memoir and not enough interesting commentary for me though. Much of it is autobiographical stuff about the author's kids and business, and the other part about her experiences as part of an extended Aboriginal family are not as interesting as I expected. Half way through my instinct coupled with a few of the more critical reviews from Goodreads makes me think that the philosophical insights I've been waiting for aren't hidden in the pages I'm yet to read.
This goes on my abandoned shelf because it doesn't say much that's really insightful and doesn't feel worth the effort. Certainly it opens a rare window, which is why I picked it up, but that alone does not make for a good book.
It's too much sentimental memoir and not enough interesting commentary for me though. Much of it is autobiographical stuff about the author's kids and business, and the other part about her experiences as part of an extended Aboriginal family are not as interesting as I expected. Half way through my instinct coupled with a few of the more critical reviews from Goodreads makes me think that the philosophical insights I've been waiting for aren't hidden in the pages I'm yet to read.
This goes on my abandoned shelf because it doesn't say much that's really insightful and doesn't feel worth the effort. Certainly it opens a rare window, which is why I picked it up, but that alone does not make for a good book.
November 20, 2012
Aboriginal readers are advised that this review contains the names of deceased persons.
Listening to Country, by Ros Moriarty, is a passionate call to action on behalf of Australia’s indigenous people. It was the 2012 winner of The National Year of Reading 2012 Our Story Collection, and in 2010 was shortlisted for The Age Book of the Year Award Non-Fiction Prize and for the 2010 Human Rights Commission Literature Award. The ANZ LitLovers reading group chose it for its June selection, where it segues nicely into Indigenous Literature Week at ANZ LitLovers (July 7-14).
Ros Moriarty was only 21 and working as a researcher in the Department of Aboriginal Affairs in Canberra when she met her future husband; he was 39. There was some dismay about their relationship, and it was not because of the age difference, it was because he was Aboriginal, of Yunwuni heritage, and she was not. Although she does not labour the point, it was just the first of many racist experiences in her marriage. It is saddening to read that on road trips it was she who went into the motel to book a room, because if he did it, the motel was likely to be ‘full’. Rental properties suffered the same mysterious instant transition to ‘unavailable’ too. (As I write this, a highly influential television presenter in Australia has made a racist ‘joke’ about an Aboriginal football star, and still kept his job. We have a long, long way to go.)
Racism, however, is not the focal point of this memoir. Rather, it’s the story of Ros Moriarty’s journey to belonging within her new family, a journey that takes her to Borroloola, saltwater country in the remote Northern Territory.
It seems an odd thing to say, but in a way, the couple were ‘lucky’ that they were able to connect with John’s family. Aged four, with lighter skin because his father was an Irishman, John was stolen from his family under the assimilationist policies of the time. They told his mother Kathleen Murrmayibinya that he was going to school for the day, and he never came back. Mere chance led to John being reunited with his mother :
John counts his blessings that he found his mother again. During a church holiday to Alice Springs when he was fifteen, a slight, dignified Aboriginal woman walked across the street to ask his name. ‘John Moriarty’ he told her. She replied, ‘I’m your mother.’ They just sat down by the side of the road on the ground, and touched hands. ‘I’m sorry, my son, your grandmother’s gone,’ were her first words. ‘Why did you let me go?’ were John’s. It was the start of his journey home. Not right away, because the Protector of Aborigines sent Kathleen back north, and John back south., But John finally knew there was a place he would belong. (p. 20)
To read the rest of my review please visit http://anzlitlovers.com/2013/06/12/li...
Listening to Country, by Ros Moriarty, is a passionate call to action on behalf of Australia’s indigenous people. It was the 2012 winner of The National Year of Reading 2012 Our Story Collection, and in 2010 was shortlisted for The Age Book of the Year Award Non-Fiction Prize and for the 2010 Human Rights Commission Literature Award. The ANZ LitLovers reading group chose it for its June selection, where it segues nicely into Indigenous Literature Week at ANZ LitLovers (July 7-14).
Ros Moriarty was only 21 and working as a researcher in the Department of Aboriginal Affairs in Canberra when she met her future husband; he was 39. There was some dismay about their relationship, and it was not because of the age difference, it was because he was Aboriginal, of Yunwuni heritage, and she was not. Although she does not labour the point, it was just the first of many racist experiences in her marriage. It is saddening to read that on road trips it was she who went into the motel to book a room, because if he did it, the motel was likely to be ‘full’. Rental properties suffered the same mysterious instant transition to ‘unavailable’ too. (As I write this, a highly influential television presenter in Australia has made a racist ‘joke’ about an Aboriginal football star, and still kept his job. We have a long, long way to go.)
Racism, however, is not the focal point of this memoir. Rather, it’s the story of Ros Moriarty’s journey to belonging within her new family, a journey that takes her to Borroloola, saltwater country in the remote Northern Territory.
It seems an odd thing to say, but in a way, the couple were ‘lucky’ that they were able to connect with John’s family. Aged four, with lighter skin because his father was an Irishman, John was stolen from his family under the assimilationist policies of the time. They told his mother Kathleen Murrmayibinya that he was going to school for the day, and he never came back. Mere chance led to John being reunited with his mother :
John counts his blessings that he found his mother again. During a church holiday to Alice Springs when he was fifteen, a slight, dignified Aboriginal woman walked across the street to ask his name. ‘John Moriarty’ he told her. She replied, ‘I’m your mother.’ They just sat down by the side of the road on the ground, and touched hands. ‘I’m sorry, my son, your grandmother’s gone,’ were her first words. ‘Why did you let me go?’ were John’s. It was the start of his journey home. Not right away, because the Protector of Aborigines sent Kathleen back north, and John back south., But John finally knew there was a place he would belong. (p. 20)
To read the rest of my review please visit http://anzlitlovers.com/2013/06/12/li...
January 18, 2011
I wonder if John Howard would ever deign to read a book such as this. Howard, despite his policies, I never would have considered to be an unfeeling man; but it was, for all his faults, Kevin Rudd who eventually uttered the SORRY word. He apologised to the indigenous minority on behalf of the non-indigenous majority for the destruction of a culture. John Howard, for all his qualities, could never bring himself to do so. Had he read this heartfelt book I am sure it would have had an impact as her writing would surely melt the steeliest of hearts. Now though that the word has been said and we can embark on the undoing all the ill-considered wrong in a spirit of conciliation comes the hard part, for there is much to undo as Moriarty clearly portrays, and solutions are not simple. Money alone clearly does not work.
Basically this book is a beautiful love story, simply rendered. It is a tale of Ros and John who embarked on a 'mixed' marriage when such could still raise eyebrows. Thankfully society is more open today. It is also the love Ros feels for John's Borroloola family, particularly the matriarchs thereof. These elderly ladies are the keepers of the knowledge and laws that have their roots in Dreamtime. With their passing much may be lost. The book is also a testament to success, of Ros Moriarty's determination to bring her love of the heritage of Aboriginal design to a wider audience. At first greater Australia was largely uninterested. Then eventually, courtesy to a couple of jumbos, the world became interested - then the locals sat up and took notice. Underpinning all though is love of country - of our magnificent wide brown land - a love that has been sorely tested by recent events.
Moriarty points out in sobering detail all the disparity in statistics between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians. As a western country, of all those possessing indigenous inhabitants, for us the gap is criminally the widest.
I found the history of the white invasion of the Gulf Country fascinating albeit depressing. I was much informed by her account of the earlier far less fraught relations between the First Australians and the Macassans. I was intrigued by the connections between her family and U2's Bono.
This well wrought book, structured simply but effectively through the use of recurring storylines in each chapter, leaves an indelible impression. Even the chapter headings possess their own enchantment. The complete package is a lesson in unfettered elegance.
My wonderful daughter presented me with this tome and I thank her.
Basically this book is a beautiful love story, simply rendered. It is a tale of Ros and John who embarked on a 'mixed' marriage when such could still raise eyebrows. Thankfully society is more open today. It is also the love Ros feels for John's Borroloola family, particularly the matriarchs thereof. These elderly ladies are the keepers of the knowledge and laws that have their roots in Dreamtime. With their passing much may be lost. The book is also a testament to success, of Ros Moriarty's determination to bring her love of the heritage of Aboriginal design to a wider audience. At first greater Australia was largely uninterested. Then eventually, courtesy to a couple of jumbos, the world became interested - then the locals sat up and took notice. Underpinning all though is love of country - of our magnificent wide brown land - a love that has been sorely tested by recent events.
Moriarty points out in sobering detail all the disparity in statistics between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians. As a western country, of all those possessing indigenous inhabitants, for us the gap is criminally the widest.
I found the history of the white invasion of the Gulf Country fascinating albeit depressing. I was much informed by her account of the earlier far less fraught relations between the First Australians and the Macassans. I was intrigued by the connections between her family and U2's Bono.
This well wrought book, structured simply but effectively through the use of recurring storylines in each chapter, leaves an indelible impression. Even the chapter headings possess their own enchantment. The complete package is a lesson in unfettered elegance.
My wonderful daughter presented me with this tome and I thank her.
December 25, 2012
It has taken me a long time to finish this book and in reality I feel this is a reflection on what has been going on in my life more than the book itself. I have huge respect for what Ros Moriarty has put down on paper and once the book returns to my shelf from a lend out I shall revisit it.
Took a while to understand the format of three sides to each part of the story running alongside each other. Fabulous experiences. Immersion in culture and language not often available to a white person in Australia. As always when looking into our complex racial "balance"in this country I am left feeling there is no real "answer" to the issues and what can I do to help move forward from this point.
Now I want to go on and read from some of the reference books mentioned.
Took a while to understand the format of three sides to each part of the story running alongside each other. Fabulous experiences. Immersion in culture and language not often available to a white person in Australia. As always when looking into our complex racial "balance"in this country I am left feeling there is no real "answer" to the issues and what can I do to help move forward from this point.
Now I want to go on and read from some of the reference books mentioned.
March 22, 2014
This is an uncomfortable read for white Australians but an important one. It sets the history of John Moriarty, one of the Stolen Generation, against the comfortable upbringing of white Australians living through the same period. It also clearly articulates what is being lost in terms of the understanding of environment and country and the deep spirituality and love of family of the older generation of Aboriginal people. It provides no easy answers for the uprootedness and disintegration of Aboriginal culture.
February 22, 2020
Interesting read. I felt half thru a little less compelled to finish as it didn’t really have a “call to read” - but the contrast of ways of life and understanding ceremonial life was important for me to continue to read. Really interesting perspective for a really intimate look at the inner workings and complexities of the contemporary aboriginal issues. I would have loved to read more on john - or even from his perspective. But I really enjoyed the descriptive language of rural/traditional life.
Important things about this book for me were - non fiction work about the lives, stories, and traditions of aboriginal people fighting to continue to live traditional ways. The importance of the two contrasting tales a white woman’s experience of ceremonial life and her life in Adelaide/Sydney.
Worth a read - but I didn’t get as much out of it as I hoped to.
Important things about this book for me were - non fiction work about the lives, stories, and traditions of aboriginal people fighting to continue to live traditional ways. The importance of the two contrasting tales a white woman’s experience of ceremonial life and her life in Adelaide/Sydney.
Worth a read - but I didn’t get as much out of it as I hoped to.
May 21, 2025
„Pieśń Aborygenki” porusza ważny i rzadko opisywany temat życia Aborygenów, jednak sposób, w jaki została napisana, skutecznie odbiera przyjemność z lektury. Zamiast spójnej opowieści dostajemy chaotyczny zbiór wspomnień – pełen przeskoków w czasie, dygresji i pobocznych wątków, takich jak życie rodzinne autorki czy jej działalność gospodarcza.
Styl pisania jest emocjonalny, ale nieprzystępny, często nużący. Autorce brakuje dystansu i klarowności, a fragmenty o duchowości Aborygenów giną wśród niepotrzebnych szczegółów. Mimo że książka zawiera kilka ciekawych informacji, ich odkrywanie wymaga dużej cierpliwości. To bardziej osobisty pamiętnik niż dobrze skonstruowana opowieść. Można się z niej czegoś dowiedzieć, ale trudno mówić o satysfakcji z czytania.
Styl pisania jest emocjonalny, ale nieprzystępny, często nużący. Autorce brakuje dystansu i klarowności, a fragmenty o duchowości Aborygenów giną wśród niepotrzebnych szczegółów. Mimo że książka zawiera kilka ciekawych informacji, ich odkrywanie wymaga dużej cierpliwości. To bardziej osobisty pamiętnik niż dobrze skonstruowana opowieść. Można się z niej czegoś dowiedzieć, ale trudno mówić o satysfakcji z czytania.
July 16, 2023
Outstanding book- albeit from a white person’s married to an aboriginal persons’s perspective, but with many verbatim quotes from First Nations people.
About connection to country, life values, indigenous culture over the years of colonisation, sitting down to listen, women’s ceremony, generosity of spirit, white/aboriginal learnings from each other, the design company that is the embodiment of this story, fragmentation of highly functioning indigenous societies after the onslaught that has and continues to occur, contrasting narratives and links to the natural world integral to our existence. It is indeed a celebration of family, love and integrity.
About connection to country, life values, indigenous culture over the years of colonisation, sitting down to listen, women’s ceremony, generosity of spirit, white/aboriginal learnings from each other, the design company that is the embodiment of this story, fragmentation of highly functioning indigenous societies after the onslaught that has and continues to occur, contrasting narratives and links to the natural world integral to our existence. It is indeed a celebration of family, love and integrity.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 10, 2018
Wow! This is one of the best books I have read in a long time. Ros details beautifully her relationship with Australia; her family, her business, her spirituality. With this book, she had the foresight to capture traditional ceremony and language from Aboriginal women before they passed on, ensuring that their lives and teachings were not lost forever.
Thank you Ros. Your book has helped me to understand better some very important parts of Australian history and current Australian debates. What an inspiration you are to Australia, to women and to truth.
Thank you Ros. Your book has helped me to understand better some very important parts of Australian history and current Australian debates. What an inspiration you are to Australia, to women and to truth.
December 12, 2020
Really good account of how traditional Indigenous culture, particularly from the perspective of indigenous women (through the eyes of a white Australian woman they let in), has been affected by generational impacts of the white man’s invasion of Australia. An 80’s vibe flows through this well structured narrative that runs parallel tracks of an 80’s mixed race family memoir and outsiders insight into indigenous culture.
October 27, 2019
Thoroughly and intensely drawn in to this story. Such insight for me into Australian Indiginous family relationships. Find it emotionally challenging and wonderfully informative. I think Ros has done well in relating her experiences and familial involvement. Highly recommended.
October 6, 2019
Interesting view into First Nation's cultural practices but a bit disjointed and not a spectacular literary work.
August 6, 2021
Very informative & unbiased reading.
March 11, 2015
The true story of a white Australian woman and her aboriginal husband as she assimilates herself into his culture. The themes of place, love and belonging pervade the book which is really a memoir of the author's times spent in the aboriginal community from which her husband had been 'stolen' as a four year old. Ros( the author) is, after many years of marriage, included in the ' women's ceremonies' of the community and the details of this journey form the backbone of the book. Interwoven with this diary is the story of Ros and John's ( husband) endeavour to make Australians more aware of aboriginal culture by marketing items bearing aboriginal art. There is one great story of the adoption by Qantas of the aboriginal art designs to be used on one of their planes.
Ros Moriarty writes very respectfully about the aboriginal culture and through the words of the women elders and her own experiences she highlights the concerns of these women about the loss of their language, traditions, culture and about the poor health and poor educational and employment opportunities for the people of the community.
The history of white interaction with the aboriginal people is not avoided and the resultant dependence on welfare and handouts, social problems associated with alcohol abuse and the poor health of the children are all commented upon within the narrative. The stories told by the women elders in their own words makes them more real and heartbreaking.
Moriarty's deep respect for the aboriginal culture shines through in every part of the book. In spite of being of European heritage she has captured the spirituality of the people and seems to really understand their connection to country. The beautiful writing enhances the story and the message. A wonderful book. Recommended.
Ros Moriarty writes very respectfully about the aboriginal culture and through the words of the women elders and her own experiences she highlights the concerns of these women about the loss of their language, traditions, culture and about the poor health and poor educational and employment opportunities for the people of the community.
The history of white interaction with the aboriginal people is not avoided and the resultant dependence on welfare and handouts, social problems associated with alcohol abuse and the poor health of the children are all commented upon within the narrative. The stories told by the women elders in their own words makes them more real and heartbreaking.
Moriarty's deep respect for the aboriginal culture shines through in every part of the book. In spite of being of European heritage she has captured the spirituality of the people and seems to really understand their connection to country. The beautiful writing enhances the story and the message. A wonderful book. Recommended.
January 26, 2016
Listening to country is written by Ros Moriarty, a white woman married to an Aboriginal man (from the stolen generation).
Over many years of visiting her husband's family, in a remote aboriginal community, Ros wanted to share her experience of being part of their culture, and her deep desire for her husband's people, and the wider Aboriginal community, to transcend their material poverty, illness and increasing violence.
The book explores her life experiences with her husband and children, and the building of their Aboriginal design business, as well as her experience of taking part in a womens law ceremony in the dessert, with the women elders of her husband's people, where she shares some of their stories.
The book highlights the happiness and deep bonds that connect these women - even when surrounded by poverty and violence. There is a sense of concern though, with the feeling that their culture is being forgotten by the younger generation.
I found this to be a very moving story about personal experience, and it gave me some insight into Aboriginal society and culture.
Over many years of visiting her husband's family, in a remote aboriginal community, Ros wanted to share her experience of being part of their culture, and her deep desire for her husband's people, and the wider Aboriginal community, to transcend their material poverty, illness and increasing violence.
The book explores her life experiences with her husband and children, and the building of their Aboriginal design business, as well as her experience of taking part in a womens law ceremony in the dessert, with the women elders of her husband's people, where she shares some of their stories.
The book highlights the happiness and deep bonds that connect these women - even when surrounded by poverty and violence. There is a sense of concern though, with the feeling that their culture is being forgotten by the younger generation.
I found this to be a very moving story about personal experience, and it gave me some insight into Aboriginal society and culture.
April 4, 2018
Listening to Country is moving and important story that should be shared with everyone. I think it should be have to read for all Australians. The issues brought up in the book we should all take to heart if we do not want to loose any more of the Aboriginal culture (Australia's original culture) than colonization has caused through it's damage.
I like the way it was written too. In fact I found it easy as if the Ros and the women that she wrote about were standing or sitting by me and sharing their story through word of mouth. Ros doesn't just explore her life but that of her family and her husband John's people, the history of the people of the Gulf. The book is set out in away that we all should live in harmony of people, land and spirit. Thank you Ros Moriarty for writing this.
I like the way it was written too. In fact I found it easy as if the Ros and the women that she wrote about were standing or sitting by me and sharing their story through word of mouth. Ros doesn't just explore her life but that of her family and her husband John's people, the history of the people of the Gulf. The book is set out in away that we all should live in harmony of people, land and spirit. Thank you Ros Moriarty for writing this.
June 3, 2012
To get even a vague inkling of what connection to earth feels like this book is a must. Ros Moriarty has created a parallel format throughout the book of Ros's trip up North for a women's 'meeting' and her 'western' life in Adelaide with her Australian Aboriginal husband John.
(My reason for a 3-star vs a 4 was that the book could have been somewhat shorter with some effective editing and that the style of writing was unfortunately following her obvious own diary notes - like a travel-log. We did this, then that, went here, met this person etc etc.)
I enjoyed the space and time in between the notes on the meeting though, because it emphasised the difference in the pace of life between the two worlds. Patience. Listening. Laughing.
We are all family. Thank Goodness.
(My reason for a 3-star vs a 4 was that the book could have been somewhat shorter with some effective editing and that the style of writing was unfortunately following her obvious own diary notes - like a travel-log. We did this, then that, went here, met this person etc etc.)
I enjoyed the space and time in between the notes on the meeting though, because it emphasised the difference in the pace of life between the two worlds. Patience. Listening. Laughing.
We are all family. Thank Goodness.
April 12, 2013
This book was selected by NT voters as the book that best represents the NT in the Our Story competition for the National Year of Reading 2012. It is the true story of a Tasmanian-born white woman who marries an Aboriginal man originally from Borroloola in the NT. The book details a particular journey she was privileged to undertake with the women from the community in 2006 and is interspersed with the story of her own upbringing, her husband's story as a member of the stolen generation, and the experiences of their three children being exposed to both traditional indigenous and western urban cultures. I found this a fascinating to read and a realy eye-opener to a different world.
November 21, 2012
Deb Hull: The author is a white woman married to a Yanyuwa man who was removed from his family as part of the stolen generation but who rebuilt his bonds with family and country. This couple, and later this family, found a way to live successfully in both cultures. Ros’s journey highlights the place of senior women as holders of law and culture. The dysfunction within both communities is described unflinchingly, but the book inspires a rare thing in the reconciliation discourse – envy of aspects of Indigenous culture from which our own could greatly benefit.
October 21, 2015
Good and I did enjoy it, alot, but I had naively hoped for some real solutions to the relevant issues aswell as a mind-blowing insight into the indigenous peoples knowledge and wisdoms. I do now feel however, that I understand the true depth of their culture and i believe she is incredibly privileged to simply be in the presence of these people. If nothing else, my respect and compassion for our first Australians has been increased and that makes the book worth a read.
April 26, 2015
It is important to get a drilled-down micro view of cultural disintegration by focussing on a particular language group and community as this book does. The damage is done and ongoing. We are exposed to its causes through its effects on the Yanyuwa people. There is other stuff as well. We are helped to more than just know about the loss, but to feel it as well. Good to read.
March 28, 2016
Very good to have the opportunity to gain some insight into the Aboriginal world. However I was somewhat disappointed that this is more a memoir rather than the informative book I thought it would be. I too found the expanded version of diary notes a frustrating and mostly boring way with what is potentially fascinating source material.
July 16, 2013
Interesting read to gain insight into Aboriginal relationships and ceremonies. A little frustrating as the perspective it was written from meant it was still a very much outsiders perspective and felt a little contrived.
September 27, 2011
One woman's journey of personal growth and cultural understanding amidst a warm-hearted remote community of women.
May 2, 2012
Good to read if you want to be informed rather than assume.
April 9, 2012
Magic book, what a trip, Everyone should know the story
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