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The Mimosa Tree
It’s the summer of 1987 and Mira is beginning her first year at uni. She’s got a radical new haircut, and an all-black wardrobe — she should be having the time of her life.
But it’s hard to get excited about anything when you’re being smothered by your crazy Italian family, enrolled in a course you’re not interested in, and expecting nuclear warfare at any moment.
Even a new best friend and the magnetic boy from art class can’t wipe away the image of a looming mushroom cloud. And Mira’s right. Her world is about to explode, but it’s not the skies she should be checking.
But it’s hard to get excited about anything when you’re being smothered by your crazy Italian family, enrolled in a course you’re not interested in, and expecting nuclear warfare at any moment.
Even a new best friend and the magnetic boy from art class can’t wipe away the image of a looming mushroom cloud. And Mira’s right. Her world is about to explode, but it’s not the skies she should be checking.
376 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 2013
3 people are currently reading
343 people want to read
About the author
Antonella Preto
1 book5 followersAntonella was born in Western Australia to Italian migrant parents. She has a Bachelor of Arts in English, with a major in Literature Language and Culture and a minor in Film and Television. Over the years she has worked on numerous film, music and writing projects, and while she has always sustained an interest in writing, The Mimosa Tree is her first completed novel. Professionally she has worked as a technical writer, trainer, graphic designer, gardener, ‘check-out-chick’ and most recently a counsellor and psycho-educator.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
March 22, 2013
Many would understand the type of works synonymous with “Aussie YA”, but I would like to propose a new sub-category that any YA fan worth their salt should note: West Coast Aussie YA. Along with the likes of Creepy & Maud, Dress Rehearsal and Have you Seen Ally McQueen, Fremantle Press seems to have found a publishing niche and it is an absolute cracker.
The latest offering – The Mimosa Tree – is another worthy addition. As opposed to their East Coast counterparts, the YA coming from the West has a more relaxed, “chilled” vibe – as opposed to cool city kids riding trams, we have MCs quietly dealing with their own sets of lives in languid suburban kitchens and little coastal towns. If pretty prose and intelligent character studies are your thing, then you’re sure to love WA YA. One thing can be sure – like the state itself – it’s always sunny on the pages, but darkness is usually just one suburban street away.
While we’re talking about “niches” – The Mimosa Tree is foremost interesting as it deals with a seventeen year old – but one who has just started university (we start early here in the West). As opposed to the New Adult I have read which deals with older individuals becoming adults, this one is right on the YA/NA cusp. Mira, the protagonist, is also from a migrant family and having an Italian mother who has basically cooked and cleaned for the whole family her whole life – I was interested to see how Mira would be forced to grow now that she was starting a new chapter after high school and coupled with the fact that her mother is becoming increasingly ill. I thought this was the perfect setup for the genre.
There are things the novel does amazingly well. I come from a migrant background myself and I appreciated the authenticity of the experiences Mira goes through as a first generation Australian, with overbearing family that more often than not, express their affections through chiding and tough love. If you loved the cast in Melina Marchetta’s Looking for Alibrandi, you will love Mira’s mum and two aunts, although unlike its funnier and raucous counterpart - is a more gentle rendering of an Italian family… but not without the occasional spot of well placed humour. My favourite parts of the novel involved just spending time with bitchy Aunty Via and baby aunt Siena. Although the majority of it was character study and I felt some of it didn’t necessarily advance the plot, I look back and consider my book-time with them precious.
The subtlety also extends to its setting (which spans the year of 1987). Rather than being an 80s fest, it only occasional name-checks musical acts (The Triffids, Echo and the Bunnymen, The Smiths) and current events (The Cold War and Arms Race), apart from that it could easily fit in today. I admit I was hoping for some acid wash action… (I think I’m still on some retro-lust trip after the event that was Puberty Blues, the TV mini-series)… but it made the statement that we’ve lived the same human lives as we’ve always done.
What I found less successful was when the novel deviated away from the family nucleus (especially in the last third) and in particular, the romance subplot. I never warmed to the romantic lead (maybe I don’t have a thing for blond boys with eyeliner. Hang on…). Everything that I found special about the novel and the writing evaporated when it detoured down the road of “lying next to each other staring at the sky” and “spending the night together (but no sex)” and “let’s run away with each other”.
It managed to pull through at the end though and based on what the novel did very well, and the fact it made me cry at one point because I cared so much about Mira’s big-hearted Italian mum, I recommend this thoughtful, mature read. I’m certainly interested to see what Antonella Preto writes next, I find her fascinating and not someone a lot of people would "get" (i like that).
Extra part: I have to talk about the cover, I must. Cover Designer – if only others were like thee. You have obviously read and understood the very essence of the book and what I love most of all is that you’ve taken the concept of Mimosa tree and instead of a literal interpretation (no, that would have been too easy) you have created one out of retro sepia coffee stains and the symbolic toxic clouds that Mira is so scared of. You can come to every birthday party I ever have. I love you. That is all.
PS - if you go to the book's page, there are 5 copies being given away :-)
The latest offering – The Mimosa Tree – is another worthy addition. As opposed to their East Coast counterparts, the YA coming from the West has a more relaxed, “chilled” vibe – as opposed to cool city kids riding trams, we have MCs quietly dealing with their own sets of lives in languid suburban kitchens and little coastal towns. If pretty prose and intelligent character studies are your thing, then you’re sure to love WA YA. One thing can be sure – like the state itself – it’s always sunny on the pages, but darkness is usually just one suburban street away.
While we’re talking about “niches” – The Mimosa Tree is foremost interesting as it deals with a seventeen year old – but one who has just started university (we start early here in the West). As opposed to the New Adult I have read which deals with older individuals becoming adults, this one is right on the YA/NA cusp. Mira, the protagonist, is also from a migrant family and having an Italian mother who has basically cooked and cleaned for the whole family her whole life – I was interested to see how Mira would be forced to grow now that she was starting a new chapter after high school and coupled with the fact that her mother is becoming increasingly ill. I thought this was the perfect setup for the genre.
There are things the novel does amazingly well. I come from a migrant background myself and I appreciated the authenticity of the experiences Mira goes through as a first generation Australian, with overbearing family that more often than not, express their affections through chiding and tough love. If you loved the cast in Melina Marchetta’s Looking for Alibrandi, you will love Mira’s mum and two aunts, although unlike its funnier and raucous counterpart - is a more gentle rendering of an Italian family… but not without the occasional spot of well placed humour. My favourite parts of the novel involved just spending time with bitchy Aunty Via and baby aunt Siena. Although the majority of it was character study and I felt some of it didn’t necessarily advance the plot, I look back and consider my book-time with them precious.
The subtlety also extends to its setting (which spans the year of 1987). Rather than being an 80s fest, it only occasional name-checks musical acts (The Triffids, Echo and the Bunnymen, The Smiths) and current events (The Cold War and Arms Race), apart from that it could easily fit in today. I admit I was hoping for some acid wash action… (I think I’m still on some retro-lust trip after the event that was Puberty Blues, the TV mini-series)… but it made the statement that we’ve lived the same human lives as we’ve always done.
What I found less successful was when the novel deviated away from the family nucleus (especially in the last third) and in particular, the romance subplot. I never warmed to the romantic lead (maybe I don’t have a thing for blond boys with eyeliner. Hang on…). Everything that I found special about the novel and the writing evaporated when it detoured down the road of “lying next to each other staring at the sky” and “spending the night together (but no sex)” and “let’s run away with each other”.
It managed to pull through at the end though and based on what the novel did very well, and the fact it made me cry at one point because I cared so much about Mira’s big-hearted Italian mum, I recommend this thoughtful, mature read. I’m certainly interested to see what Antonella Preto writes next, I find her fascinating and not someone a lot of people would "get" (i like that).
Extra part: I have to talk about the cover, I must. Cover Designer – if only others were like thee. You have obviously read and understood the very essence of the book and what I love most of all is that you’ve taken the concept of Mimosa tree and instead of a literal interpretation (no, that would have been too easy) you have created one out of retro sepia coffee stains and the symbolic toxic clouds that Mira is so scared of. You can come to every birthday party I ever have. I love you. That is all.
PS - if you go to the book's page, there are 5 copies being given away :-)
July 9, 2013
*heavy sigh*
I wanted to like this book so much more than I actually did. I mean, look at that cover! I know I’m not supposed to judge a book by its cover, but I can’t lie, that gorgeous art and the blurb had me thinking this would definitely be a REY-BOOK.
Unfortunately, this wasn’t quite for me.
To start with the good: I loved the setting and the historical context of the novel. By choosing to set The Mimosa Tree during the final years of the Cold War, against a back drop of the anti-nuclear movement and the very palpable tensions of the international arms race, Preto frames Mira’s internal conflict with an interesting external parallel. When Mira’s very real fears and sense of impending disaster on a global scale are pre-empted by a tragedy much closer to home, the setting and political climate take on a symbolic significance.
As for the not-so-good, here’s where I confess I’m a monster with a heart of stone: Mira’s family tribulations did nothing for me. I’m sorry. The cultural and generational dissonance between Mira and her family is interesting, particularly when it comes to her relationship with her father. Yet despite the truly sad things that happen to Mira’s family, I had no emotional investment in these characters. The novel feels bloated, weighed down and slow with scenes that establish how the family functions internally: the relationships between Mira’s mother and aunts, her parents, their world view, the fact that Mira is attending university. This is all important, particularly in terms of understanding Mira as a character, but it’s all too long and dense. The opening chapters meander through interminable scene-setting, recounting the minutiae of conversations and the drinking of copious cups of coffee.
The tedium is broken somewhat by Mira’s commencement of university and gradual establishing of relationships with Felicia and Harm. It’s here also that we see Mira’s connection to alternative youth culture of the 80s, particular in the music she listens to (Goth, New Romantic, alternative rock etc) and the social movements around her (anti-nuclear, resistance to US foreign policy etc). Combined with and in response to her family circumstances, Mira engages in risk-taking behaviour and drug use, becoming drawn to the apparent freedom of Harm’s lifestyle, romanticising his choices. (Personally, I completely fail to see Harm’s appeal.)
But as much as this is a story about family, death and struggle to define identity – which are all strong themes – I feel they were explored with varying degrees of success. Mira’s safety map, the motif of the mimosa tree, and the atmosphere of catastrophe are effective, but the pacing is weak. It’s a patchy novel: powerful at moments, but unengaging in others. Unfortunately, I think I like the idea of this story much more than the story itself.
* * * * * *
Not a review (yet), but if you want to check out the New Romantic/Goth/alternative 1980s playlist hop on over here or here.
* * * * *
Fremantle's covers are so pretty..
I wanted to like this book so much more than I actually did. I mean, look at that cover! I know I’m not supposed to judge a book by its cover, but I can’t lie, that gorgeous art and the blurb had me thinking this would definitely be a REY-BOOK.
Unfortunately, this wasn’t quite for me.
To start with the good: I loved the setting and the historical context of the novel. By choosing to set The Mimosa Tree during the final years of the Cold War, against a back drop of the anti-nuclear movement and the very palpable tensions of the international arms race, Preto frames Mira’s internal conflict with an interesting external parallel. When Mira’s very real fears and sense of impending disaster on a global scale are pre-empted by a tragedy much closer to home, the setting and political climate take on a symbolic significance.
As for the not-so-good, here’s where I confess I’m a monster with a heart of stone: Mira’s family tribulations did nothing for me. I’m sorry. The cultural and generational dissonance between Mira and her family is interesting, particularly when it comes to her relationship with her father. Yet despite the truly sad things that happen to Mira’s family, I had no emotional investment in these characters. The novel feels bloated, weighed down and slow with scenes that establish how the family functions internally: the relationships between Mira’s mother and aunts, her parents, their world view, the fact that Mira is attending university. This is all important, particularly in terms of understanding Mira as a character, but it’s all too long and dense. The opening chapters meander through interminable scene-setting, recounting the minutiae of conversations and the drinking of copious cups of coffee.
The tedium is broken somewhat by Mira’s commencement of university and gradual establishing of relationships with Felicia and Harm. It’s here also that we see Mira’s connection to alternative youth culture of the 80s, particular in the music she listens to (Goth, New Romantic, alternative rock etc) and the social movements around her (anti-nuclear, resistance to US foreign policy etc). Combined with and in response to her family circumstances, Mira engages in risk-taking behaviour and drug use, becoming drawn to the apparent freedom of Harm’s lifestyle, romanticising his choices. (Personally, I completely fail to see Harm’s appeal.)
But as much as this is a story about family, death and struggle to define identity – which are all strong themes – I feel they were explored with varying degrees of success. Mira’s safety map, the motif of the mimosa tree, and the atmosphere of catastrophe are effective, but the pacing is weak. It’s a patchy novel: powerful at moments, but unengaging in others. Unfortunately, I think I like the idea of this story much more than the story itself.
* * * * * *
Not a review (yet), but if you want to check out the New Romantic/Goth/alternative 1980s playlist hop on over here or here.
* * * * *
Fremantle's covers are so pretty..
February 2, 2015
The Mimosa Tree is an impressive debut from Australian author Antonella Preto, but one which left me feeling conflicted.
My biggest problem with this book was the length. At just over 370 pages, this was a big contemporary novel and, to be honest, I really felt it. There were times when I was totally absorbed in the story, but I also felt like so many things could have been cut out. The beginning didn’t immediately grab me, in fact I was probably about a quarter of the way in before I began to feel emotionally invested in the story. Unfortunately, this ‘distance’ of sorts continued throughout the novel, although there were some parts I found very moving. There was potential for this to be a poignant and touching novel, but I felt the length really let it down. For me, sometimes saying less gives a much more powerful emotional impact.
Mira also left me feeling divided. I liked the fact that she clearly didn’t care what people thought of her, but at the same time, I felt really annoyed about some of her decisions. I think that annoyance probably just came down to me being a totally different person to Mira. For example, I started uni last year and could never imagine just taking it easily like Mira did, skipping classes and completely ignoring assignments. I work hard because I love what I’m studying, but I also recognise the sacrifices my parents have made over the years to be able to send me to uni. Although it wasn’t fair that Mira’s family pushed her into studying something she didn’t want to, I could also see they wanted to give her the opportunities they never had.
I also found her preoccupation with nuclear war strange. Obviously, the possibility of nuclear war is incredibly scary. I’ve never experienced that so I can’t really say how I would react, but I feel like Mira should just have lived because there’s always the possibility that something may happen. My dad has this excellent saying - worry is only interest paid on something that mightn’t happen - and while I frequently ignore it and worry about stupid things, I feel like when it comes to life in general it’s a great rule.
It’s probably not surprising that I related a lot more with Felicia and felt so annoyed on her behalf that Mira was so rude to her. I was so pleased that Felicia didn’t give up and was there in the end when Mira needed her most. Overall I found Mira’s personality very confronting (as I’m sure poor Felicia did on that first drive to uni). Although, I realise that’s what I’m bringing to the story rather than the actual character herself and I know there will be many more people who can totally sympathise with Mira and will enjoy her as a character.
The most touching and well executed part of The Mimosa Tree was the family element. Being an only child who grew up in a town very far away from my aunts, uncles and grandparents, I loved seeing this beautiful big family and how they cared for one another in their own little ways. I felt like Mira’s family showed their affection through their actions more than words (especially Via) and I could relate to this because some members of my extended family are exactly the same. I know from friends who come from large European families that the portrayal of Mira’s family was so, so true.
While this wasn’t the perfect book for me, I know it will be for someone. It’s a well-written and beautifully authentic Aussie YA novel which deserves to be read. Despite my feelings about Mira, I liked seeing her grow throughout the novel. Most of all The Mimosa Tree is about family. It’s about how our family define us and how we define ourselves within our family. It’s about love and fresh starts and finding your way. Most of all, it’s about being an individual, but never forgetting where you’ve come from.
This review and many more can be found at Maree's Musings.
My biggest problem with this book was the length. At just over 370 pages, this was a big contemporary novel and, to be honest, I really felt it. There were times when I was totally absorbed in the story, but I also felt like so many things could have been cut out. The beginning didn’t immediately grab me, in fact I was probably about a quarter of the way in before I began to feel emotionally invested in the story. Unfortunately, this ‘distance’ of sorts continued throughout the novel, although there were some parts I found very moving. There was potential for this to be a poignant and touching novel, but I felt the length really let it down. For me, sometimes saying less gives a much more powerful emotional impact.
Mira also left me feeling divided. I liked the fact that she clearly didn’t care what people thought of her, but at the same time, I felt really annoyed about some of her decisions. I think that annoyance probably just came down to me being a totally different person to Mira. For example, I started uni last year and could never imagine just taking it easily like Mira did, skipping classes and completely ignoring assignments. I work hard because I love what I’m studying, but I also recognise the sacrifices my parents have made over the years to be able to send me to uni. Although it wasn’t fair that Mira’s family pushed her into studying something she didn’t want to, I could also see they wanted to give her the opportunities they never had.
I also found her preoccupation with nuclear war strange. Obviously, the possibility of nuclear war is incredibly scary. I’ve never experienced that so I can’t really say how I would react, but I feel like Mira should just have lived because there’s always the possibility that something may happen. My dad has this excellent saying - worry is only interest paid on something that mightn’t happen - and while I frequently ignore it and worry about stupid things, I feel like when it comes to life in general it’s a great rule.
It’s probably not surprising that I related a lot more with Felicia and felt so annoyed on her behalf that Mira was so rude to her. I was so pleased that Felicia didn’t give up and was there in the end when Mira needed her most. Overall I found Mira’s personality very confronting (as I’m sure poor Felicia did on that first drive to uni). Although, I realise that’s what I’m bringing to the story rather than the actual character herself and I know there will be many more people who can totally sympathise with Mira and will enjoy her as a character.
The most touching and well executed part of The Mimosa Tree was the family element. Being an only child who grew up in a town very far away from my aunts, uncles and grandparents, I loved seeing this beautiful big family and how they cared for one another in their own little ways. I felt like Mira’s family showed their affection through their actions more than words (especially Via) and I could relate to this because some members of my extended family are exactly the same. I know from friends who come from large European families that the portrayal of Mira’s family was so, so true.
While this wasn’t the perfect book for me, I know it will be for someone. It’s a well-written and beautifully authentic Aussie YA novel which deserves to be read. Despite my feelings about Mira, I liked seeing her grow throughout the novel. Most of all The Mimosa Tree is about family. It’s about how our family define us and how we define ourselves within our family. It’s about love and fresh starts and finding your way. Most of all, it’s about being an individual, but never forgetting where you’ve come from.
Thank you to Fremantle Press for providing a copy of the book for review
This review and many more can be found at Maree's Musings.
May 24, 2013
Mimosa Tree is real. Never mind the beautiful girl who’s got it all going for her; in this a girl who knows who she is and cannot seem to fit in. Never mind the perfect family and easy connections, in this we’ve got people shouting over each other to be heard; it’s shouting that strengthens connections she could deal with out at times. And never mind the perfect boy you may or may not fall for at first glance, because while there is one here, he’s more than that too.
I love how real things got…how Mira felt she didn’t have much to offer all together but thought she had it all figured out. Then how they all knew her and she them, but always only up to a point. There’s always this distance to her, you see. Then there’s how other people in her life all have their own thing because isn’t that the way things really go? How things weren’t (just) about her, even when she felt as if it we were like that. And there’s that closeness she refuses to see, because she’d much rather be set apart and pick things as she preferred. There’s a bit here about her survival map ~ an obvious play on how she’d rather be that unreachable place, free from fall out… and maybe this is a sad thing, but it’s the main thing that rang true for of her: this need to be her own person and pick and choose whatever that meant.
Family. There are loud women who know what needs doing, and there she is swept along by their whims. There’s a father with baggage, and we see he deal with him as he doesn’t deal with his. There’s honesty in her reactions to all of them: affection for one, hostility for others… and then confusion over why her mother’s reactions to her daughter’s approach toward her father. It’s her father and his ‘you don’t know how good you’ve got it’ that added friction, a bit simple at first but not quite the longer you consider the two of them… the three of them actually. Simple but not quite as we see his baggage and her deal with him as didn’t deal with his own. (I muddled that one up, didn’t I?) My point is… there are real connections in this one… just not easy ones.
And more than those of father, mother and daughter, we’ve got the added layer of her mother and her sisters. The tensions between the sisters, and the parallels between their story and Mira’s own felt more in a way. It’s because of those tensions that the final chapters here broke my heart a little bit.
Friends Insecure is what comes to mind. Surprising since she’s sure of what she doesn’t like and what she does like, but she’s not quite sure about what others see in her. So that when another so different from her takes an interest, she’s one part wary and another surprised. There’s this eventual building up of confidence that was a lovely development… because they’re so oddball in pairing: her, dour mean sad girl and the other girl who’s anything but.
Loves? Throw in someone who’s a bit more like her, and it could have felt a tad too perfect… because see here, there’s a guy who gets me! But it doesn’t happen that way. And the little doubts she had and her going of half cocked all worked with the image I had of her. But then there’s him setting the two of them apart, saying things like nobody gets us but us and I would have rolled my eyes except I didn’t because they areyoung and the inconsequential tend to feel big and dire then. So them doing hammered home the reality that what they were doing was a young thing to do because, the fact is, they are both young… and that’s not actually a bad thing.
Thank you PBT for touring the book!
I love how real things got…how Mira felt she didn’t have much to offer all together but thought she had it all figured out. Then how they all knew her and she them, but always only up to a point. There’s always this distance to her, you see. Then there’s how other people in her life all have their own thing because isn’t that the way things really go? How things weren’t (just) about her, even when she felt as if it we were like that. And there’s that closeness she refuses to see, because she’d much rather be set apart and pick things as she preferred. There’s a bit here about her survival map ~ an obvious play on how she’d rather be that unreachable place, free from fall out… and maybe this is a sad thing, but it’s the main thing that rang true for of her: this need to be her own person and pick and choose whatever that meant.
Family. There are loud women who know what needs doing, and there she is swept along by their whims. There’s a father with baggage, and we see he deal with him as he doesn’t deal with his. There’s honesty in her reactions to all of them: affection for one, hostility for others… and then confusion over why her mother’s reactions to her daughter’s approach toward her father. It’s her father and his ‘you don’t know how good you’ve got it’ that added friction, a bit simple at first but not quite the longer you consider the two of them… the three of them actually. Simple but not quite as we see his baggage and her deal with him as didn’t deal with his own. (I muddled that one up, didn’t I?) My point is… there are real connections in this one… just not easy ones.
And more than those of father, mother and daughter, we’ve got the added layer of her mother and her sisters. The tensions between the sisters, and the parallels between their story and Mira’s own felt more in a way. It’s because of those tensions that the final chapters here broke my heart a little bit.
Friends Insecure is what comes to mind. Surprising since she’s sure of what she doesn’t like and what she does like, but she’s not quite sure about what others see in her. So that when another so different from her takes an interest, she’s one part wary and another surprised. There’s this eventual building up of confidence that was a lovely development… because they’re so oddball in pairing: her, dour mean sad girl and the other girl who’s anything but.
Loves? Throw in someone who’s a bit more like her, and it could have felt a tad too perfect… because see here, there’s a guy who gets me! But it doesn’t happen that way. And the little doubts she had and her going of half cocked all worked with the image I had of her. But then there’s him setting the two of them apart, saying things like nobody gets us but us and I would have rolled my eyes except I didn’t because they areyoung and the inconsequential tend to feel big and dire then. So them doing hammered home the reality that what they were doing was a young thing to do because, the fact is, they are both young… and that’s not actually a bad thing.
Thank you PBT for touring the book!
March 31, 2013
In A Nutshell: The Mimosa Tree is a story about grief, growing up and the importance of family. Cancer is a strong element of the novel but the story connects because it is surrounded by the everyday happenings of life. The novel will have you laughing, crying and seething in frustration but as you will see, it is how people react and cope in difficult situations that define who they are and who they will become.
To read my full review, please visit my blog: http://www.thetalescompendium.com/201...
To read my full review, please visit my blog: http://www.thetalescompendium.com/201...
April 14, 2013
This book is set in Australia in the 1980's. Mira is trying to find who she really is, whilst growing up in an Italian family who's mother is very sick, Mira has just started university and is trying to make friends who understand her more. Be prepared to laugh out loud and cry with Mira. Brilliant story.
April 17, 2013
What a brilliant book, there were laughs and there were tear, loved it brilliant book
April 18, 2013
I really liked this book. Not the depressing cancer story I was expecting. I loved Mira's character.
April 22, 2013
I neither hated this book, nor loved it. It was one of thosie novels that jumps out of the shelf and surprises you.
May 13, 2013
Gosh I love my mum.
July 29, 2024
FAV QUOTES
1. “Opening my wardrobe door is like uncovering a gaping black hole in the world of pink.” — Chapter 1: The Mimosa Tree by Antonella Preto
2. “But mum does not look convinced. She cannot conceive of a grown woman being able to survive without a husband. From what I can tell, it doesn’t matter much about the quality of that husband, just that they are a man and that they are around.” — Chapter 3: The Mimosa Tree by Antonella Preto
3. “’She can stay for a month. But that’s it! Three months, Sofia. Understand? No more! No more than a year, okay?’” — Chapter 3: The Mimosa Tree by Antonella Preto
4. “‘When everyone is un-ordinary, then un-ordinary just becomes ordinary?’” — Chapter 6: The Mimosa Tree by Antonella Preto
1. “Opening my wardrobe door is like uncovering a gaping black hole in the world of pink.” — Chapter 1: The Mimosa Tree by Antonella Preto
2. “But mum does not look convinced. She cannot conceive of a grown woman being able to survive without a husband. From what I can tell, it doesn’t matter much about the quality of that husband, just that they are a man and that they are around.” — Chapter 3: The Mimosa Tree by Antonella Preto
3. “’She can stay for a month. But that’s it! Three months, Sofia. Understand? No more! No more than a year, okay?’” — Chapter 3: The Mimosa Tree by Antonella Preto
4. “‘When everyone is un-ordinary, then un-ordinary just becomes ordinary?’” — Chapter 6: The Mimosa Tree by Antonella Preto
February 8, 2019
There are 2 sure fire ways of getting me to read a book; if said book
(1) has a pretty cover or
(2) is aussie
This book had both things and I did not like it. Maybe I was just not in the mood but everyone was so unlikeable, even the narrator. I don’t mind unsavory characters, but when genuinely garbage characters are written up with an air of nonchalance there’s something wrong. Especially when that applies to practically all the characters in the book.
(1) has a pretty cover or
(2) is aussie
This book had both things and I did not like it. Maybe I was just not in the mood but everyone was so unlikeable, even the narrator. I don’t mind unsavory characters, but when genuinely garbage characters are written up with an air of nonchalance there’s something wrong. Especially when that applies to practically all the characters in the book.
September 20, 2018
Delicious, gritty, raw. 'Looking for Alibrandi-esque'.
November 24, 2013
Originally posted at The Solitary Bookworm
RATING ★★★★ 1/2
Mirabella Verdi is snarky yet smart. An upcoming freshman in a university, Mira tries to balance what she wants for herself contrast what her family demands of her. Mira’s life wasn’t as turbulent and difficult as some dysfunctional family however Mira didn’t experience things easy either. Being part of Mira’s family means that you have to appreciate tough love.
Mira has a very strong personality. She’s very opinionated and doesn’t think twice before opening her mouth. She can be condescending, judgmental and offensive – super b*tch to a point however, I knew there’s more to Mira than what she’s showing. She doesn’t have any friends but she likes it that way. Mira has been hardened enough that she finds it better to be a recluse than lose the people she love. No real emotions to invest. When you read Mira’s journey, you’ll realize that there’s more to the story that an angsty teenager. This is what I love most about The Mimosa Tree. You’ll see the change in Mira and the effect it did to her persona. The change may not be extravagant but her transformation was very intimate and beautiful.
Mira’s family is a hard crowd to please. With a dad who doesn’t seem to care, an aunt who’s overbearing with a tough character, another aunt who’s still finding her feet and a mom that keeps the ship intact. Not your merry band of characters. I can see why Mira is the way she is especially with her father and Aunt Via. That combination alone will really shake off some goodness in anybody. To be honest, Via actually pissed me off some parts of the book because she is sometimes such an unbearable teenager but I do understand her position, her family and her burden. Mira’s family is not the showy type who spoils her with nicety but the love is definitely there.
Another character I need to mention is Felicia. Felicia is a great minor character. Not enough exposure in my opinion but enough to make a mark in the story. She’s very sweet and supportive. She the first to believe that there’s more to Mira than what meets the eye. Felicia is the kind of friend that Mira needs and she may not see that at first but these two pulled through in the end. The love interest and another character in the story is Harm. Harm as a love interest wasn’t appealing as boyfriend material and to be honest, I wasn’t paying attention to this dude in any way. For me, the relationship aspect of the novel didn’t advance the plot in any angle – could have done without it. Harm didn’t appeal to me and I wasn’t excited about the relationship either.
The Mimosa Tree is a quick read but mind you it is a book with a heavy subject. It is not only a story of discovery but also of loss and grief. It is a story that makes you realize that you’ll eventually lose something important in your life and the pain will be bearable but life moves on. Though it has potential to make you sad and cry, The Mimosa Tree is also a happy book because it is also a story about love in its entirety. A story about love in any form. The Mimosa Tree gives you the hard truth yet the story also provides the so called rainbow after the rain. The book may not be a fantastical read plot wise like all the big names but it is memorable. Memorable in its simplicity and how beautifully it is written and delivered. The Mimosa Tree is a recommended book by my standards and I am now excited for more Aussie lit!
RATING ★★★★ 1/2
Mirabella Verdi is snarky yet smart. An upcoming freshman in a university, Mira tries to balance what she wants for herself contrast what her family demands of her. Mira’s life wasn’t as turbulent and difficult as some dysfunctional family however Mira didn’t experience things easy either. Being part of Mira’s family means that you have to appreciate tough love.
Mira has a very strong personality. She’s very opinionated and doesn’t think twice before opening her mouth. She can be condescending, judgmental and offensive – super b*tch to a point however, I knew there’s more to Mira than what she’s showing. She doesn’t have any friends but she likes it that way. Mira has been hardened enough that she finds it better to be a recluse than lose the people she love. No real emotions to invest. When you read Mira’s journey, you’ll realize that there’s more to the story that an angsty teenager. This is what I love most about The Mimosa Tree. You’ll see the change in Mira and the effect it did to her persona. The change may not be extravagant but her transformation was very intimate and beautiful.
Mira’s family is a hard crowd to please. With a dad who doesn’t seem to care, an aunt who’s overbearing with a tough character, another aunt who’s still finding her feet and a mom that keeps the ship intact. Not your merry band of characters. I can see why Mira is the way she is especially with her father and Aunt Via. That combination alone will really shake off some goodness in anybody. To be honest, Via actually pissed me off some parts of the book because she is sometimes such an unbearable teenager but I do understand her position, her family and her burden. Mira’s family is not the showy type who spoils her with nicety but the love is definitely there.
Another character I need to mention is Felicia. Felicia is a great minor character. Not enough exposure in my opinion but enough to make a mark in the story. She’s very sweet and supportive. She the first to believe that there’s more to Mira than what meets the eye. Felicia is the kind of friend that Mira needs and she may not see that at first but these two pulled through in the end. The love interest and another character in the story is Harm. Harm as a love interest wasn’t appealing as boyfriend material and to be honest, I wasn’t paying attention to this dude in any way. For me, the relationship aspect of the novel didn’t advance the plot in any angle – could have done without it. Harm didn’t appeal to me and I wasn’t excited about the relationship either.
The Mimosa Tree is a quick read but mind you it is a book with a heavy subject. It is not only a story of discovery but also of loss and grief. It is a story that makes you realize that you’ll eventually lose something important in your life and the pain will be bearable but life moves on. Though it has potential to make you sad and cry, The Mimosa Tree is also a happy book because it is also a story about love in its entirety. A story about love in any form. The Mimosa Tree gives you the hard truth yet the story also provides the so called rainbow after the rain. The book may not be a fantastical read plot wise like all the big names but it is memorable. Memorable in its simplicity and how beautifully it is written and delivered. The Mimosa Tree is a recommended book by my standards and I am now excited for more Aussie lit!
October 18, 2014
A new Aussie author, Antonella Preto, who gives a very realistic interpretation of a teenager struggling with life. Mira lives with an Italian family migrated to Australia, a teenager who doesn't get along with her father, a sick mother, suffocating aunts are thrown into the usual teenager angst of finding out what they what to do with their life in the mist of a nuclear war. The humour and sarcasm were very Australian and as always we are good at poking fun of ourselves.
"Why are you angry at me?"
"Well right now, I am angry at you for not knowing why I am angry at you!"
Although at times I felt like sections of the book could of been left out, and I may not recommend it to my younger students at school as there is alot of drugs. At first it was just smoking, then it was pot and finally the LSD. Although Mira does not choose to take any of these drugs at first, with her world falling apart, she is looking for an escape and an outlet where she will be noticed and this is where it leads her.
Mira's friend, Felicia is the best character. Her appearance should not fool you. She gives some of the best lines, and fights her way int Mira's life, even when at times you wonder why she keeps trying to be her friend. Her aunts are at opposite end of the spetrum. One has migrated much better than the other, in terms of language, customs, work etc. These polar opposites do give a good description of the contrasts and help Mira find a balance in her own life.
The cover may be amazing, but the story is lacking. Clearly the author has drawn on her own tradition and hertiage, but needed to take a little bit of creative license to really give a punch.
"Why are you angry at me?"
"Well right now, I am angry at you for not knowing why I am angry at you!"
Although at times I felt like sections of the book could of been left out, and I may not recommend it to my younger students at school as there is alot of drugs. At first it was just smoking, then it was pot and finally the LSD. Although Mira does not choose to take any of these drugs at first, with her world falling apart, she is looking for an escape and an outlet where she will be noticed and this is where it leads her.
Mira's friend, Felicia is the best character. Her appearance should not fool you. She gives some of the best lines, and fights her way int Mira's life, even when at times you wonder why she keeps trying to be her friend. Her aunts are at opposite end of the spetrum. One has migrated much better than the other, in terms of language, customs, work etc. These polar opposites do give a good description of the contrasts and help Mira find a balance in her own life.
The cover may be amazing, but the story is lacking. Clearly the author has drawn on her own tradition and hertiage, but needed to take a little bit of creative license to really give a punch.
October 6, 2015
I picked this book up in an op-shop because I saw it was published by Fremantle Press and wanted to see what kind of things they're interested in publishing. I was absorbed by this book from the start, I was constantly thinking about reading it when I wasn't reading it. I'm not even sure why, I think the character of Mira just gripped me, she was very real and very relateable. Despite being a cliche rebel of sorts by dressing punk and listening to indie bands, she wasn't doing it to fit in with "cool" people necessarily she was doing it because she liked it. And I liked how when she did do cliche things like getting drunk and taking drugs she didn't romanticise it she just described it exactly how it feels both negatives and positives. Her family were also great, each of their voices distinct and interesting, and their dynamic with each other felt very real. Harm was the least interesting character, he just seemed like a cliche weed smoking guy without any personality, which made it hard to see why Mira would like him. I liked the smallness of the book, having a few characters gave them all space to live and grow. And I liked how I could imagine Perth in the places and suburbs she described, but she never mentioned that it was Perth, making the story feel universal while still being cool that it was set in Perth (as few books are). This book has definitely helped encouraged me to keep writing my own, and feel like Perth stories and young female stories in Perth are worth telling.
February 9, 2015
I couldn't get Alibrandi out of my head, which was unfair to Mira. It's a great book; I felt that it probably needed a stronger mid section, and I wanted the character of Via to be less cartoonish. It's set in 1987, but apart from a fairly typical playlist for angst types in the 80s, and references to Reagan, I didn't really see much of the 80s. We don't even know where they live! Lovely story that I felt compelled to finish, but more detail and scene/character development required. Still enjoyed it!
July 24, 2013
If mira was real, I would punch her in the face for being so conceited. It annoyed me that she judged people in terms of their taste in music and that her whole life was centered on a nuclear threat which didn't really exist anymore
July 31, 2015
I don't usually enjoy books that are this raw and gritty but it was well written and gave plenty of insights into friendships, parent-child relationships and dealing with death. Not sure what YA audience will pick this up though.
September 17, 2013
I really liked The Mimosa Tree and Mira's family. I understood why Mira felt and reacted the way she did. I would like to know what happened to her and the others in the future.
April 18, 2017
There is a lot of ups and downs in this book. I didn't expect much from it but only the school life of a female but it turned out more to be the family life of a broken girl. It brought me to tears and I would say it makes me want to treasure people I have around me more.
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