Prehistoric Joy

by Andrew Sneddon

If being powerless makes you jumpy, then being poor makes you envious. You notice when other people are happy and you become keenly aware of those things that they have, that make them happy, that you do not have. Sometimes, you know better than they do about what brings them joy. Andrew Sneddon has made a name for himself in Australia and internationally as a successful archaeologist and heritage consultant. But his success belies his at the age of eleven, Sneddon finds himself living in the criminal underbelly of Queensland's Gold Coast. His conman stepfather has moved the family from suburban Canberra to chase his next scam. But in the 1980s, there is scant help for a woman and her three children who are ricocheting between domestic violence and homelessness. As Sneddon charts the often frightening and sometimes farcical journey of his teenage years, he also reflects on them through contemporary eyes as an archaeologist. Told with candour and refreshing humour, Prehistoric Joy explores the importance of family and the timeless search for happiness.

Genres: Nonfiction

188 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 1, 2023

Reviews

[Neale · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such an enjoyable memoir to read. Andrew Sneddon manages to imbue a palpable sense of humour into a memoir that reads like a car crash. A car crash with his despicable stepfather Philip at the wheel.

Growing up in the Gold Coast during the eighties, Sneddon cannot remember how many times they were forced to move, usually with an irate landlord chasing their family for rent owed.

However, not paying the rent is nothing compared to what Sneddon’s stepfather did to his mother, himself, and siblings. Philip may have been a normal decent bloke sober, but we will never know because for the entirety of the book he is either drunk or hungover. And when he was in this perpetual state, he was dangerous.

It is saddening to think that this man drove his family into poverty, abused his wife physically and mentally, and quite simply only ever thought of himself and where his next drink was coming from.

With the childhood depicted in this memoir Sneddon must be commended for surviving and becoming a famous archaeologist and heritage consultant. He segues from the ancient world to his childhood using archaeological finds, a different one for each chapter. For example, the first chapter’s “find” is a 3800-year-old hearth excavated in Cyprus. The hearth in history was a symbol of safety, comfort, and stability. Feelings Sneddon never felt because of Phillip and the constant changing of address. These comparisons and reflections add so much to the memoir.

The memoir is also another book which shines more light on domestic violence. Sneddon takes you inside his childhood. At times I cringed when he could hear his father’s footsteps approaching the front door knowing he would be drunk, and anything could happen.

A wonderful memoir and debut.

[Jennifer Elliott · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a unique book - the life story of a man who grew up in Australia with a mother whose second husband was a drunk and a conman who spent years making her life a misery should not be so original and special!
Andrew Sneddon is a trained archaeologist so his story includes facts about the ancient world that illustrate his story, and they often include his interpretation of the family represented by the drawings and carvings
For example he discussed the large bottomed ladies represented in the carvings recovered on Gozo Malta but also paintings and carvings on many sites.
It seemed remarkable that the life he described so carefully , based on his diary as a child, should precede his career as an archaeologist, or that the boy whose life and education was so disrupted by the moves they made to escape domestic violence should finally complete his university studies and find a rewarding and happy life. It was a difficult story to read but in the end a happy outcome, for him and his siblings and a unique combination of stories, both past and present.
Highly recommended

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whilst with a creative flair, this book is really about how Sneddon witnesses' domestic violence in play throughout growing up and it's really sad to hear how time and time again, his mother just kept going back like it was a drug pulling her into a life of abuse - physical, emotional, mental and financial abuse. As a child, it must be so horrifying to witness seeing your mum go through this hell and you really can't do anything about it. But credit to Andrew, his brother and sister on getting through such hard life experiences, which my mind still shakes of how they got through to the other end, successfully. Well written by linking to his archeological background!

[Linda Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Refreshing memoir… set in Australia and tracing the reflections of growing up in a yo yo battered housewife syndrome home?
Loved the archaeological notations and cross references to society past and present with particular focus on the evidences of abuse towards women at the hearth. Very interesting and well written. Recommend.

[Don Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a story! Deftly-written combination of the author's experience growing up with an abusive stepfather and his views through the eyes of an archaeologist.