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It Takes A Village
"In her second novel, Christine Stinson does an excellent job … This is Australian life in the 1950s when everyone knew who lived in all the houses in the street." – The Age newspaper.
Eight-year-old Sophie lives in a world of secrets and whispers. She has just been told that she’s a “bastard,” and her father's identity is unknown. With only her reclusive grandfather to raise her, and her neighbours expecting her to be a delinquent like her mother, she struggles to find her place in the world. She soon learns that life is rarely simple, love is always complicated, and sometimes it takes more than blood ties to make a family.
Christine Stinson is the Australian author of Getting Even With Fran.
Eight-year-old Sophie lives in a world of secrets and whispers. She has just been told that she’s a “bastard,” and her father's identity is unknown. With only her reclusive grandfather to raise her, and her neighbours expecting her to be a delinquent like her mother, she struggles to find her place in the world. She soon learns that life is rarely simple, love is always complicated, and sometimes it takes more than blood ties to make a family.
Christine Stinson is the Australian author of Getting Even With Fran.
- GenresContemporary
323 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2011
About the author
Christine Stinson
2 books9 followersChristine Stinson is a former language teacher whose children have now flown the nest, meaning she can indulge her greatest passion – writing – fulltime.
She lives with her husband in Sydney. Her first novel Getting Even with Fran was published by Pan Macmillan Australia in 2010 and her second novel It Takes a Village published in 2011.
She lives with her husband in Sydney. Her first novel Getting Even with Fran was published by Pan Macmillan Australia in 2010 and her second novel It Takes a Village published in 2011.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
November 18, 2014
As eight year old Sophie Barton was eating dinner with her Grandpa, she asked him what a “bastard” was – when he wouldn’t answer the question, just told her to eat her dinner, she figured she was in trouble once again. It was 1952 and Sophie was about to learn all about her parentage – her Grandma had died recently, and she was only a baby when her mother had died. Grandpa and Mrs Hogan, who was a close neighbour, were the two who raised her – she was allowed to do pretty much what she liked; she was a spirited child, and when she was bullied and called names, she always fought back.
As Sophie moved through her childhood, her only constant was her best friend Mick. He lived a short distance away, and they rode their bikes everywhere. She detested Luc from school who was always calling her names, and she had no girlfriends either – the parents of the children from school forbade them playing with Sophie because she was “bad”. Sophie didn’t care; not much anyway. But Mrs Hogan did her best to teach Sophie right from wrong; she was always there for her when Grandpa had to stay away overnight with his train driving job…
Sophie adored her Grandpa and once she was old enough, she began doing small things for him. She took over kitchen duties after Mrs Hogan had taught her how to cook; Grandpa and Sophie began enjoying a variety of meals after living on Grandpa’s stew for as long as she could remember. But as Sophie was in her teenage years, the secrets about her past made her uncertain – she wondered about her father. Could anyone, would anyone tell her what she wanted to know?
It Takes a Village is a wonderful read with a delightful cast of characters – I was completely invested in Sophie’s life, and the lives of her neighbours who had such an impact on her life. Mrs Hogan was “everyone’s grandma” and the development of Sophie was masterfully done. Aussie author Christine Stinson is a talented storyteller, and I can’t wait for her next book to be released. Highly recommended.
As Sophie moved through her childhood, her only constant was her best friend Mick. He lived a short distance away, and they rode their bikes everywhere. She detested Luc from school who was always calling her names, and she had no girlfriends either – the parents of the children from school forbade them playing with Sophie because she was “bad”. Sophie didn’t care; not much anyway. But Mrs Hogan did her best to teach Sophie right from wrong; she was always there for her when Grandpa had to stay away overnight with his train driving job…
Sophie adored her Grandpa and once she was old enough, she began doing small things for him. She took over kitchen duties after Mrs Hogan had taught her how to cook; Grandpa and Sophie began enjoying a variety of meals after living on Grandpa’s stew for as long as she could remember. But as Sophie was in her teenage years, the secrets about her past made her uncertain – she wondered about her father. Could anyone, would anyone tell her what she wanted to know?
It Takes a Village is a wonderful read with a delightful cast of characters – I was completely invested in Sophie’s life, and the lives of her neighbours who had such an impact on her life. Mrs Hogan was “everyone’s grandma” and the development of Sophie was masterfully done. Aussie author Christine Stinson is a talented storyteller, and I can’t wait for her next book to be released. Highly recommended.
February 9, 2014
This was a wonderful story. A quote from a review in Woman's Day on the back of the book says "An absorbing story with great characters" and I have to agree. It was something I didn't want to put down. A great read about many of the neighbours in a little town looking out for each other (the ones who aren't helping each other are too busy gossiping and being judgemental about people who are "no better than they should be") while following young Sophie Barton for over a decade as she leaves her childhood behind, enters adolescence and emerges into young adulthood, experiencing all the accompanying heartbreaks and joys.
Is it predictable? In many ways, yes. Did it detract from my enjoyment? Not at all! I think the characters made the story - my favourite was Mrs Hogan, closely followed by Jenny - a bit of a late-comer into the story - we don't meet her until about a third of the way through. I also love how the men of the neighbourhood are always keeping an eye out for her and supportive of her - sometimes more so than their wives.
All in all, a wonderful read!
Is it predictable? In many ways, yes. Did it detract from my enjoyment? Not at all! I think the characters made the story - my favourite was Mrs Hogan, closely followed by Jenny - a bit of a late-comer into the story - we don't meet her until about a third of the way through. I also love how the men of the neighbourhood are always keeping an eye out for her and supportive of her - sometimes more so than their wives.
All in all, a wonderful read!
November 22, 2014
“The groundswell of well-meaning support touched her almost as much as it irked her at the same time. Even though she’d had plenty of experience of it, she never found it easy when her life was up for public discussion.”
It Takes a Village is the second novel by Australian author, Christine Stinson. Eight-year-old Sophie Barton lives with her Grandpa, Harry in a house at 5 Fleming St, Kingsdale. The lady next door, Mrs Hogan (Dulcie) often helps out when Grandpa is working because Sophie’s mother, Sarah died when Sophie was very little, and her Grandma died not long after. No-one ever mentions Sophie’s father; at least, not until that nasty Luc Dimarco calls her a dirty bastard. None of the girls at school will play with her. Her best (and only) friend, Mick Knight lives just down the road and they do everything together.
It’s 1952 and Sophie does her best to look after her Grandpa and to be good, but it seems some of the neighbours are ready to saddle her with the same bad reputation they stamped on her mother. As she grows up, Harry’s reclusive nature ensures that much of the neighbourhood has an influence on Sophie’s development, but conflicting opinions mean that her confusion about both her mother and her father increases. Sophie’s voice is genuine and Stinson gives her realistic life experiences that many female readers of a certain vintage will easily relate to.
Stinson peoples her novel with a cast of characters typical of post-war suburbia: the disapproving spinster sisters; the snobbish school mothers; the melancholy alcoholic widower; the gossipy sticky-beak; the friendly shopkeeper; the well-meaning neighbours; the funny, easy-going dads. Most of the neighbours are, despite their many faults, easy to love. Stinson renders 1950s Australia with consummate ease: the attitudes about pre-marital sex, immigrants, mental illness, war service, the raising and disciplining of children and the education of women accurately reflect the times, as does the dialogue.
This heart-warming novel is part mystery (just who is Sophie’s father?), part coming of age, part romance, a moving and uplifting tale that portrays a supportive community of the sort that once were common and may still exist somewhere. Highly recommended.
It Takes a Village is the second novel by Australian author, Christine Stinson. Eight-year-old Sophie Barton lives with her Grandpa, Harry in a house at 5 Fleming St, Kingsdale. The lady next door, Mrs Hogan (Dulcie) often helps out when Grandpa is working because Sophie’s mother, Sarah died when Sophie was very little, and her Grandma died not long after. No-one ever mentions Sophie’s father; at least, not until that nasty Luc Dimarco calls her a dirty bastard. None of the girls at school will play with her. Her best (and only) friend, Mick Knight lives just down the road and they do everything together.
It’s 1952 and Sophie does her best to look after her Grandpa and to be good, but it seems some of the neighbours are ready to saddle her with the same bad reputation they stamped on her mother. As she grows up, Harry’s reclusive nature ensures that much of the neighbourhood has an influence on Sophie’s development, but conflicting opinions mean that her confusion about both her mother and her father increases. Sophie’s voice is genuine and Stinson gives her realistic life experiences that many female readers of a certain vintage will easily relate to.
Stinson peoples her novel with a cast of characters typical of post-war suburbia: the disapproving spinster sisters; the snobbish school mothers; the melancholy alcoholic widower; the gossipy sticky-beak; the friendly shopkeeper; the well-meaning neighbours; the funny, easy-going dads. Most of the neighbours are, despite their many faults, easy to love. Stinson renders 1950s Australia with consummate ease: the attitudes about pre-marital sex, immigrants, mental illness, war service, the raising and disciplining of children and the education of women accurately reflect the times, as does the dialogue.
This heart-warming novel is part mystery (just who is Sophie’s father?), part coming of age, part romance, a moving and uplifting tale that portrays a supportive community of the sort that once were common and may still exist somewhere. Highly recommended.
January 1, 2021
I was totally absorbed in this book right from the beginning all the way to the very last page. I will definitely be looking out for more books by this author. Highly recommended.
November 25, 2011
Australian author Christine Stinson's first novel was the marvellously witty and engaging, Getting Even with Fran. That story celebrates the complexity of life-long friendships, centering around a thirty-year Catholic girl's school reunion. After such a debut, Stinson's second novel, It Takes a Village, comes as a surprise.
Told from the point of view of a young orphaned girl being brought up by her shell-shocked grandfather, It Takes a Village doesn't have the biting humour of Getting Even with Fran. Rather, it weaves a gentle spell around the lives of the various characters who populate a poor suburb in Sydney in the 1950s and early 60s.
In this fictional memoir, Stinson deftly creates a portrait of an Australian way of life long gone. With strict morals and, at times, narrow-minded attitudes, this life also created a sense of compassion and community that contemporary suburban life rarely offers. Having read the story in manuscript, as well as the finished novel, I kept hearing echoes of the sayings and expressions of people from my own Australian childhood, those ancient great-aunts and their companions who have long since passed away.
Although It Takes a Village touches on some serious social questions, including the aftermath of the deployment of United States army personnel in war-time Sydney, it doesn't attempt to provide serious social commentary. Instead it achieves a moving as well as feel-good atmosphere which reminded me of the novels of Maeve Binchey.
Given that the second novel was such a contrast to the first, I've been fascinated to watch Stinson approach the writing of her third, yet to be published, novel Epiphany (working title). Set in the Blue Mountains, Epiphany revisits the "group of friends" theme, and again conveys the complexity of relationships among contemporary Australian women, this time with the added international flavour of having one of the main characters a leading conductor. The story builds on a deeply moving emotional dilemma which touches many Australian women in their late thirties-early forties juggling motherhood and career, and promises to be ranked among the best contemporary mainstream Australian women's fiction when it appears.
(This review appeared in Amazon in July 2011 and has been revised)
Told from the point of view of a young orphaned girl being brought up by her shell-shocked grandfather, It Takes a Village doesn't have the biting humour of Getting Even with Fran. Rather, it weaves a gentle spell around the lives of the various characters who populate a poor suburb in Sydney in the 1950s and early 60s.
In this fictional memoir, Stinson deftly creates a portrait of an Australian way of life long gone. With strict morals and, at times, narrow-minded attitudes, this life also created a sense of compassion and community that contemporary suburban life rarely offers. Having read the story in manuscript, as well as the finished novel, I kept hearing echoes of the sayings and expressions of people from my own Australian childhood, those ancient great-aunts and their companions who have long since passed away.
Although It Takes a Village touches on some serious social questions, including the aftermath of the deployment of United States army personnel in war-time Sydney, it doesn't attempt to provide serious social commentary. Instead it achieves a moving as well as feel-good atmosphere which reminded me of the novels of Maeve Binchey.
Given that the second novel was such a contrast to the first, I've been fascinated to watch Stinson approach the writing of her third, yet to be published, novel Epiphany (working title). Set in the Blue Mountains, Epiphany revisits the "group of friends" theme, and again conveys the complexity of relationships among contemporary Australian women, this time with the added international flavour of having one of the main characters a leading conductor. The story builds on a deeply moving emotional dilemma which touches many Australian women in their late thirties-early forties juggling motherhood and career, and promises to be ranked among the best contemporary mainstream Australian women's fiction when it appears.
(This review appeared in Amazon in July 2011 and has been revised)
May 31, 2018
Sentimental, predictable, badly written and couldn't care less about the main character. I couldn't wait for this book to finish and how boring when what you think is going to happen, actually happens....zzzz.
October 9, 2017
Sweet, sentimental and boring.
February 17, 2019
So evocative of our childhood. Magnificent
May 9, 2026
Just one of those books that keeps you engaged. Having grown up in a similar era many things in the community were familiar.
Great characters.
Great characters.
May 9, 2011
"If you ask me, it's a scandal, the way that woman carries on"
Stinson's second novel follows Sophie from age 8 in a postwar country town in Australia. Expected by most of the village to go off the rails, as her teenaged mother did, we follow her as she grows to understand the adults around her and eventually herself - although not without plenty of adventures along the way!
As the novel opens, a neighbourhood boy has divulged a few choice truths about Sophie's parentage; she punches him in the nose for his indiscretion. Sophie's combative approach to conflict gets her into plenty of trouble, but provides the reader with lots of entertainment along the way.
I spotted the resolution of both romantic sub-plots, but that's no bad thing, much childhood romance is predictable. There isn't much of a main plot, although Sophie's quest to find out her father runs through most of the book. Rather, this novel is driven by the simple passage of time and Sophie's growing-up, which facilitates character development not only of the young ones but also of the adults as they learn to deal with these young adults with whom they live.
Sophie is a little combative for my tastes, but I loved her anyway. The key adults, particularly Sophie's grandfather and pseudo-grandmother Mrs Hogan, are perfectly thought out, and the supporting cast are developed just enough to be interesting without being overwhelming. Every community has a Miss Margaret and every school has a Sister Dorothea.
Normally at this stage in a review I would have a few quotes, but the style of this novel is so straightforward and the simple narrative style so suited to Sophie that there were very few one-liners thrown out. While that was appropriate for the narrative voice, I know from Stinson's first novel Getting Even with Fran (to be reviewed here eventually!) - and from knowing her personally - that she has a wicked sense of humour and I would have liked to see more of that shine through in It Takes a Village.
I loved the cover for this book - it encapsulates an Australian childhood so completely. My grandparents had a tree with a conveniently low branch, and I'm pretty sure I sat on it numerous times with filthy feet and a cotton frock just like the one in the picture.
A light-hearted country tale with a good heart. Accessible to non-Australians - let's hope the book is made physically available to non-Australians too!
Additional info:
A family copy given by the author, who is a very dear family friend.
Stinson's second novel follows Sophie from age 8 in a postwar country town in Australia. Expected by most of the village to go off the rails, as her teenaged mother did, we follow her as she grows to understand the adults around her and eventually herself - although not without plenty of adventures along the way!
As the novel opens, a neighbourhood boy has divulged a few choice truths about Sophie's parentage; she punches him in the nose for his indiscretion. Sophie's combative approach to conflict gets her into plenty of trouble, but provides the reader with lots of entertainment along the way.
I spotted the resolution of both romantic sub-plots, but that's no bad thing, much childhood romance is predictable. There isn't much of a main plot, although Sophie's quest to find out her father runs through most of the book. Rather, this novel is driven by the simple passage of time and Sophie's growing-up, which facilitates character development not only of the young ones but also of the adults as they learn to deal with these young adults with whom they live.
Sophie is a little combative for my tastes, but I loved her anyway. The key adults, particularly Sophie's grandfather and pseudo-grandmother Mrs Hogan, are perfectly thought out, and the supporting cast are developed just enough to be interesting without being overwhelming. Every community has a Miss Margaret and every school has a Sister Dorothea.
Normally at this stage in a review I would have a few quotes, but the style of this novel is so straightforward and the simple narrative style so suited to Sophie that there were very few one-liners thrown out. While that was appropriate for the narrative voice, I know from Stinson's first novel Getting Even with Fran (to be reviewed here eventually!) - and from knowing her personally - that she has a wicked sense of humour and I would have liked to see more of that shine through in It Takes a Village.
I loved the cover for this book - it encapsulates an Australian childhood so completely. My grandparents had a tree with a conveniently low branch, and I'm pretty sure I sat on it numerous times with filthy feet and a cotton frock just like the one in the picture.
A light-hearted country tale with a good heart. Accessible to non-Australians - let's hope the book is made physically available to non-Australians too!
Additional info:
A family copy given by the author, who is a very dear family friend.
August 7, 2011
What a gorgeous story. It's not what I usually read but I must say I thoroughly enjoyed it. Wonderful characters that really come to life. It was like I knew them all! I absolutely loved Sophie. She had such "gumption" and she grew into a gorgeous person. And I loved Mrs Hogan, the next door neighbour who practically raises Sophie after the death of her mother and grandmother. The quest for information about her parents isn't the main focus of the book, it weaves in and out, through post-war Sydney. The book is set in the 1950s and 50s, when people behaved certain ways and community was very different to what we have today. It made me miss many things from the older generations and I want to thank Christine Stinson for bringing so much of it back in this engaging, heart-warming story. Thanks for such an enjoyable, easy read. I loved it.
October 8, 2015
Loved this book! Beautifully written with well developed characters who you felt you knew. It touches on some social issues of the day without dwelling or moralising but it mainly focuses on watching young Sophie Barton grow from childhood to adulthood. Raised by her grandfather and in a community in 1950's Australia where everyone knew everyone, we see how different people help guide and support Sophie through life's journey. The author accurately reflects the thought patterns and dialogue of a young girl at various stages of her life - being teased as a child, ups and downs of friendships, first love, loss of loved ones etc. An easy read, this was a book I couldn't put down and I actually hugged it to my chest when I finished thinking "God, what a wonderful book!"
November 20, 2015
This wasn't the type of book I'd normally go for but I enjoyed the change. Despite being somewhat predictable it offered the chance to reflect upon the way Australian society has so dramatically changed in the past 50-60 years. I engaged with the characters and particularly enjoyed the relationship between Sophie and her grandfather, & her neighbour Mrs Hogan. There were some touching moments throughout the book and I suspect I'll be reading Christine Stinsons first novel if I get my hands on it.
June 23, 2013
Sophie Barton is a young girl in the 1950s growing up under the care of her grandfather. The story begins with 8 year old Sophie being taunted about being a bastard and details her life growing up in the neighborhood, with assistance and prejudice. Whilst the book was a nice snapshot of the times, I wasn't really engaged with the characters - there weren't any really surprises here. Still it was a sweet story of more innocent times.
September 14, 2013
WOW, what a wonderful story! Following Sophie Barton, aged 8, through her formative years in post war Australia, Christine's story had me engrossed from the very beginning.
I enjoyed being indulged in the simpler life, when neighbours and friends were more like family.
Sophie suffered many trials and tribulations, just as we all do. This made the story and the characters easy to relate to, and endearing, even the annoying kid down the road (and I think we've all know one of them. Or been one!)
I enjoyed being indulged in the simpler life, when neighbours and friends were more like family.
Sophie suffered many trials and tribulations, just as we all do. This made the story and the characters easy to relate to, and endearing, even the annoying kid down the road (and I think we've all know one of them. Or been one!)
October 31, 2011
A nice easy read. Considering it was so short, all of the characters were so beautifully developed. A predictable ending, but very sweet none the less. I recommend this to anyone with an evening to fill.
August 26, 2011
good for a teenager.
April 3, 2012
I really lost interest in this fast. I didn't warm to the main character or any of the other characters. It was dull and kind of went nowhere. I might try again later...
February 7, 2012
This was an OK read, but I found it very predictable and a bit plodding. Nothing really stood out in terms of character or writing, so I was a bit disappointed.
August 22, 2012
I loved this book.
November 2, 2012
A good easy read. Predictable, but lovely all the same.
October 5, 2015
A beautiful story.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews