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Deadly, Unna? #1
Deadly, Unna?
'Deadly, unna?' He was always saying that. All the Nungas did, but Dumby more than any of them. Dumby Red and Blacky don't have a lot in common. Dumby's the star of the footy team, he's got a killer smile and the knack with girls, and he's a Nunga. Blacky's a gutless wonder, needs braces, never knows what to say, and he's white. But they're friends... and it could be deadly, unna? This gutsy novel, set in a small coastal town in South Australia is a rite-of-passage story about two boys confronting the depth of racism that exists all around them.
273 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
75 people are currently reading
764 people want to read
About the author
Phillip Gwynne
64 books32 followersPhillip Gwynne's first novel Deadly Unna? the literary hit of 1998, has now sold over 180,000 copies. It was made into the feature film Australian Rules for which Phillip won an AFI award. The sequel, Nukkin Ya, was published to great acclaim in 2000. He has also written The Worst Team Ever, Born to Bake, and A Chook Called Harry in the Aussie Bites series, and Jetty Rats. Phillip's latest novel, the adult detective thriller The Build Up, is being made into a 13-part TV series on SBS, and his YA novel, Swerve, will be published in 2010.
He now lives in Leura, New South Wales, with his wife and three children: aged 17, 2 and 1
He now lives in Leura, New South Wales, with his wife and three children: aged 17, 2 and 1
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 153 reviews
February 28, 2017
4.5★s
I noted with dismay the large number of school student reviews on GR which have given this book 1 star, and whose comments are so dismissive. If you’re a teenager hooked on action-oriented US stories like The Hunger Games or Twilight, the light, gentle style of Deadly, Unna? might seem deadly dull. To me that is a great shame, because, reading this as an adult, I think it is a delightful, authentically Australian story, well deserving of its many literary awards.
Teenage reviewers might like to consider the style of this novel, and know that the author has used great skill to construct and deliver an insightful tale, with Gary as an appealing protagonist, about being part of a large, poor family, growing up in a small, remote country town, where not much happens, period.
Gwynne divides the story into two halves, Winter and Summer. The most exciting thing on The Port's winter calendar is the local AFL footy final, while the long summer holiday is all about fishing, swimming, and a growing interest in the opposite sex.
Gary Black is a rather lacklustre football player, but his saving virtue is his great height, which sees him assigned as The Port Colts Junior team’s second ruck man. Playing alongside him with speed and agility is the local Nunga champion Dumby Red, just one of several talented Aboriginal players in the team, who hail from the nearby settlement The Point. Having made it to the Grand Final, the team’s fate rests on Gary’s skinny shoulders, and with that the reputation of The Port, and he’s not happy about that.
Some months later, school’s out and the long, hot lazy days of summer are in. The local lads hang out at the waterfront, diving off the jetty or lying in the sun. The annual influx of holiday-makers brings a welcome flow of fresh faces, including pretty girls. Gary and his mates try to impress the visitors, while painfully aware of the huge gulf between their lives and that of the city slickers.
A superficial reading would suggest that there is not much more to Deadly, Unna?, until you start reading the subtext. Using the local football competition as his pretext, Gwynne has created an opening to explore issues of race relations in a low-key way. His thumb-nail sketches of the white townsfolk are acutely drawn, often hilarious, while he portrays the Aboriginal residents with respect and affection.
I was quite moved by the depiction of Gary’s family life, which had a strong ring of authenticity. He is one of eight children, with an absent, alcoholic father and a kind, wise, but long-suffering mother. Dad’s casual cruelty and selfishness has a permanent impact on the well-being of this large, chaotic, loving family. I felt for Gary, and barracked for his personal qualities to come out and conquer the daily ordeal of living with such a horrid man. Indeed when the situation called for it, Gary demonstrated an admirable degree of personal integrity and strength of character.
The genius in this seemingly simple novel is the notion that “less is more”. By paring his story back to bare bones, Gwynne allows his characters to shine. It is a revealing look at small town life through the eyes of a gauche 14yo boy, often hilarious, always authentic. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I can only hope that a goodly number of YA readers do too.
I noted with dismay the large number of school student reviews on GR which have given this book 1 star, and whose comments are so dismissive. If you’re a teenager hooked on action-oriented US stories like The Hunger Games or Twilight, the light, gentle style of Deadly, Unna? might seem deadly dull. To me that is a great shame, because, reading this as an adult, I think it is a delightful, authentically Australian story, well deserving of its many literary awards.
Teenage reviewers might like to consider the style of this novel, and know that the author has used great skill to construct and deliver an insightful tale, with Gary as an appealing protagonist, about being part of a large, poor family, growing up in a small, remote country town, where not much happens, period.
Gwynne divides the story into two halves, Winter and Summer. The most exciting thing on The Port's winter calendar is the local AFL footy final, while the long summer holiday is all about fishing, swimming, and a growing interest in the opposite sex.
Gary Black is a rather lacklustre football player, but his saving virtue is his great height, which sees him assigned as The Port Colts Junior team’s second ruck man. Playing alongside him with speed and agility is the local Nunga champion Dumby Red, just one of several talented Aboriginal players in the team, who hail from the nearby settlement The Point. Having made it to the Grand Final, the team’s fate rests on Gary’s skinny shoulders, and with that the reputation of The Port, and he’s not happy about that.
Some months later, school’s out and the long, hot lazy days of summer are in. The local lads hang out at the waterfront, diving off the jetty or lying in the sun. The annual influx of holiday-makers brings a welcome flow of fresh faces, including pretty girls. Gary and his mates try to impress the visitors, while painfully aware of the huge gulf between their lives and that of the city slickers.
A superficial reading would suggest that there is not much more to Deadly, Unna?, until you start reading the subtext. Using the local football competition as his pretext, Gwynne has created an opening to explore issues of race relations in a low-key way. His thumb-nail sketches of the white townsfolk are acutely drawn, often hilarious, while he portrays the Aboriginal residents with respect and affection.
I was quite moved by the depiction of Gary’s family life, which had a strong ring of authenticity. He is one of eight children, with an absent, alcoholic father and a kind, wise, but long-suffering mother. Dad’s casual cruelty and selfishness has a permanent impact on the well-being of this large, chaotic, loving family. I felt for Gary, and barracked for his personal qualities to come out and conquer the daily ordeal of living with such a horrid man. Indeed when the situation called for it, Gary demonstrated an admirable degree of personal integrity and strength of character.
The genius in this seemingly simple novel is the notion that “less is more”. By paring his story back to bare bones, Gwynne allows his characters to shine. It is a revealing look at small town life through the eyes of a gauche 14yo boy, often hilarious, always authentic. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I can only hope that a goodly number of YA readers do too.
October 15, 2014
This "book" being listed on a site called "goodreads" makes the site lose all credibility. The only people who could possibly say this "book" is good are those who are dyslexic and say good when they really mean f*cking awful. The author must have used blank pages of a book as toilet paper and sent the result of to the publisher calling it "Deadly, Unna?". The person who published this "book" must have been blind and illiterate.
November 12, 2013
Fifteen-year-old Gary Black is one of the numerous Black clan. His dad is an abusive alcoholic who styles himself a fisherman but doesn't know how to fish. His mum is worn out raising seven kids and doing the laundry; she's got no teeth left and her one pleasure is reading Mills & Boon novels and smoking. The second oldest, Blacky's only talent seems to be coming up with nicknames, including his own. He's the second ruckman in the Port's under-18 football team and almost never touches the ball, which is alright by him. But in the lead-up to the much-anticipated yearly Premiership, it's discovered that the first ruckman, an Aborigine called Carol, is really Carol's older brother Colin and is thus disqualified from playing. Their coach, Mr Robinson - whom Blacky calls "Arks" because that's how he says "asks" and it gives Blacky a thrill to hear it - has no choice but to make Blacky the lead ruckman.
The effect this has on Blacky is immediate. He feels like a sinking ship. The whole town wants the footy team to win and it all comes down to the ruckman - to Blacky. He can only watch with admiration the true stars of the team, the Aboriginal kids from the Nunga reserve at the Point. The Aborigine players are the best on the field, only they don't really play by the rules - they don't play to win so much as play for the sheer joy of it. Blacky watches one player in particular: Dumby Red. A handsome kid with perfect white teeth, Dumby is vain but immensely talented. Despite the fact that playing on the footy team is the only thing they have in common, the two become friends.
But Blacky is at a crossroads. He's old enough to notice and recognise the inherent racism and bigotry he sees and hears all around him, but he's not yet old enough or educated enough to really understand it. He still has a childlike innocence to his worldview, one that both shelters him from the worst of it and makes him a vulnerable target. When Dumby makes a deadly choice and the repercussions resonate throughout the Port, Blacky comes face-to-face with the blasé racism Australia is notorious for, and has to decide for himself whether he'll accept the status quo, or follow his heart.
Phillip Gwynne's 1998 novel, which was made into the 2002 movie Australian Rules (a nice play-on-words there), pops up on school reading lists across the country - and for good reason. The book is not only a classic coming-of-age story about a young boy growing up in a small town experiencing financial downturn and trying to make sense of the world and his place in it; it also gently explores Australia's inherent racism towards the first inhabitants, the Aborigines. It doesn't explicitly pass judgement, though it certainly takes a side; and it doesn't exactly explain anything, only provokes emotion and thought in readers - which is ideal.
For a people as "relaxed" and "down-to-earth" and "fun-loving" and "carefree" as Australians are portrayed and known as across the globe, it is frightening to witness and experience the kind of blasé racism - notably that towards the Aborigines - that exists here. You will hear people make derogatory, stereotypical comments and statements that are highly offensive, but they are made with a kind of "you know what I mean" offhandedness, a matter-of-fact "everyone understands this" evenness that appals. It is the dismissive casual attitude with which the comments are made that truly offend and dismay because it makes it clear just how inherent and thoughtless such attitudes are. Non-Aboriginal Australians (can't say "white Australians" anymore because the irony is that it's a country of immigrants and it's only in outlying rural areas that you see a majority race - white - in effect) have inherited an attitude of complete contempt towards the Aborigines, a ridiculous "I wash my hands of them" dismissiveness that implies that we tried in the first place.
The inhabitants of Gary Black's small town on the coast of South Australia are very typical of Australians at large. At times it's subtle; other times, blatant; but always casual. No one wastes much energy in doing anything about it. Everyone seems to think the same way, and anyone who disagrees - like possibly Blacky's mum - keeps their opinions to themselves. The idea that someone would speak up and denounce a person for making a racist comment is laughable. And of course, the kinds of things said about the Aborigines are things that white Australians are just as guilty of: alcoholism, laziness, theft etc. When the white kids - Blacky and his friends - hear that a group of young Nungas are heading into town, they get all tense and antagonistic - a kind of inherited rivalry exists between them, something they've picked up on from their parents and other adults in the community, and imitate without really understanding just what they're perpetuating.
Of course, the Nungas just muck about, go swimming, have a laugh and leave. Perhaps part of the fun for them was putting the white kids on edge. What's noticeable is the vast disconnect between them. Not only are the two groups on opposing sides, not only are the locals distrustful of the Nungas, but no one ever makes any attempt to actually learn if any of it's true or not. No one wants to befriend an Aboriginal, to learn about them, understand them, see another perspective. That's what makes Blacky unusual, and that's what makes his position in the town somewhat precarious. As anyone who's ever been caught up in schoolyard bullying knows, it's pretty difficult to go against the status quo without making yourself a really vulnerable target. Easier - and often safer - to go with the flow, keep your head down and your mouth shut at best, or join in.
When Blacky takes the unprecedented step of walking all the way to the Point, his first impression is one of confusion.
It's such a crappy equation, though: either the Aborigines do things they're way and the way they're comfortable with, which earns them everyone else's disapprobation and scorn and contempt, or they assimilate and do things in ways that are familiar to us, which make us feel safe, and abandon their own culture in the process. Because here's the thing: Australians won't respect the Aborigines unless they make an effort to look and behave like us, but in actuality it doesn't matter what they do, we will always look down on them. They can't win, in this equation. And the second thing is: they don't want to. They don't want to assimilate, and become "Australian" according to our (white) definition. Why should they have to? The problem lies in the sad fact that colonial Australia not only degraded them, but made sure there would be no place for them, regardless. They're stuck in a kind of racist Catch-22, and honestly, I can't blame them for being royally pissed about it.
The title Deadly Unna? refers to an expression Dumby Red often uses. "Deadly" meaning "cool" or something similar, and "unna?" akin to "isn't it?" or "right?" or, in Canadian, "eh?" (It doesn't say so in the book, but you can get the gist from the context.) The story is a quiet, fairly understated kind of tale, carried by Blacky's endearing and humorous narration. It has just the right amount of plot balanced by just the right amount of characterisation and character development to please me and keep me engaged. Truly I found it to be very well written and beautifully told. Blacky's voice is convincing for his age, his demographic and his environment. I found the publisher's blurb to be rather misleading, in that it implies much more drama than actually happens and much more interplay between Blacky and Dumby. It does make your expectations go off in rather the wrong direction, sadly. As long as you take the story as it's told, you will get a lot out of it.
There's a lot of subtlety and depth to this novel, tucked away within and without Blacky's observations. Much of it is sad and poignant, like Blacky's mum's life and marriage to his rather horrible father; the town's poverty; Mr Robinson's dead-end career; the way the "blacks" are ignored and treated like second-class citizens (or barely citizens); the poor state of the town library; the sense that this town and its people are largely forgotten - noticeable in the state of its community buildings, like the footy oval, and the local member's grandiose speech cataloguing his own achievements, none of which have any relevance to these people. Yet Blacky's voice remains largely upbeat and optimistic, in an adolescent way, and his observations of other people and his world overall are both insightful and humorous, epitomising that other stereotypical quality Australians are known for: the ability to avoid self-indulgence. No one wants to be a "bloody whinger", right?
With its understated approach to a sensitive, contentious issue nicely balanced with a humorous yet intense coming-of-age story, Deadly Unna? is unforgettable and thought-provoking. It's a story that takes its young and generous-hearted hero on a tentative journey exploring the grey areas between black and white, boyhood and manhood, love and hate, to discover the price of not just standing up for your values, but the price of formulating said values in the first place.
Blacky's story continues in the sequel, Nukkin Ya.
The effect this has on Blacky is immediate. He feels like a sinking ship. The whole town wants the footy team to win and it all comes down to the ruckman - to Blacky. He can only watch with admiration the true stars of the team, the Aboriginal kids from the Nunga reserve at the Point. The Aborigine players are the best on the field, only they don't really play by the rules - they don't play to win so much as play for the sheer joy of it. Blacky watches one player in particular: Dumby Red. A handsome kid with perfect white teeth, Dumby is vain but immensely talented. Despite the fact that playing on the footy team is the only thing they have in common, the two become friends.
But Blacky is at a crossroads. He's old enough to notice and recognise the inherent racism and bigotry he sees and hears all around him, but he's not yet old enough or educated enough to really understand it. He still has a childlike innocence to his worldview, one that both shelters him from the worst of it and makes him a vulnerable target. When Dumby makes a deadly choice and the repercussions resonate throughout the Port, Blacky comes face-to-face with the blasé racism Australia is notorious for, and has to decide for himself whether he'll accept the status quo, or follow his heart.
Phillip Gwynne's 1998 novel, which was made into the 2002 movie Australian Rules (a nice play-on-words there), pops up on school reading lists across the country - and for good reason. The book is not only a classic coming-of-age story about a young boy growing up in a small town experiencing financial downturn and trying to make sense of the world and his place in it; it also gently explores Australia's inherent racism towards the first inhabitants, the Aborigines. It doesn't explicitly pass judgement, though it certainly takes a side; and it doesn't exactly explain anything, only provokes emotion and thought in readers - which is ideal.
For a people as "relaxed" and "down-to-earth" and "fun-loving" and "carefree" as Australians are portrayed and known as across the globe, it is frightening to witness and experience the kind of blasé racism - notably that towards the Aborigines - that exists here. You will hear people make derogatory, stereotypical comments and statements that are highly offensive, but they are made with a kind of "you know what I mean" offhandedness, a matter-of-fact "everyone understands this" evenness that appals. It is the dismissive casual attitude with which the comments are made that truly offend and dismay because it makes it clear just how inherent and thoughtless such attitudes are. Non-Aboriginal Australians (can't say "white Australians" anymore because the irony is that it's a country of immigrants and it's only in outlying rural areas that you see a majority race - white - in effect) have inherited an attitude of complete contempt towards the Aborigines, a ridiculous "I wash my hands of them" dismissiveness that implies that we tried in the first place.
The inhabitants of Gary Black's small town on the coast of South Australia are very typical of Australians at large. At times it's subtle; other times, blatant; but always casual. No one wastes much energy in doing anything about it. Everyone seems to think the same way, and anyone who disagrees - like possibly Blacky's mum - keeps their opinions to themselves. The idea that someone would speak up and denounce a person for making a racist comment is laughable. And of course, the kinds of things said about the Aborigines are things that white Australians are just as guilty of: alcoholism, laziness, theft etc. When the white kids - Blacky and his friends - hear that a group of young Nungas are heading into town, they get all tense and antagonistic - a kind of inherited rivalry exists between them, something they've picked up on from their parents and other adults in the community, and imitate without really understanding just what they're perpetuating.
"There's some Nungas heading this way," he said. "A big mob of 'em."
Everybody looked up.
Usually the Nungas came into town, got their supplies and left again. But sometimes a mob would walk all the way from the Point. I'd heard them talking in the front bar about the good old days, about huge brawls down the jetty, Nungas against Goonyas. But I'd never been in one. I wouldn't want to, either. Those Nungas were tough, much tougher than us.
"Where are they?"
"They're coming down the main street."
"How many?"
"Dunno. Fifteen, twenty, a lot."
"What is it?" said Cathy, sitting up.
"Boongs," said Pickles.
"Abos," said one of the Maccas. "Coming up here. A tribe of 'em."
"Are they allowed up here?" said Cathy.
"Yeah, of course they are," I said.
"They shouldn't be, said Pickles. "It's our jetty, not theirs."
"Bloody oath," said Deano.
I could see them now, at the start of the jetty. They were mucking around with the ropes that went out to the dinghies.
"If they touch our dinghy," said Pickles, "I'm gunna go get the old man." [pp.190-191]
Of course, the Nungas just muck about, go swimming, have a laugh and leave. Perhaps part of the fun for them was putting the white kids on edge. What's noticeable is the vast disconnect between them. Not only are the two groups on opposing sides, not only are the locals distrustful of the Nungas, but no one ever makes any attempt to actually learn if any of it's true or not. No one wants to befriend an Aboriginal, to learn about them, understand them, see another perspective. That's what makes Blacky unusual, and that's what makes his position in the town somewhat precarious. As anyone who's ever been caught up in schoolyard bullying knows, it's pretty difficult to go against the status quo without making yourself a really vulnerable target. Easier - and often safer - to go with the flow, keep your head down and your mouth shut at best, or join in.
When Blacky takes the unprecedented step of walking all the way to the Point, his first impression is one of confusion.
The Point was not a big chance in the Tidy Towns competition, I can assure you of that. Not even in Section B. The streets weren't sealed and there were hardly any trees. Most of the houses were fibro, but there were a few brick ones as well.
I kept thinking. But that's not right, something's wrong.
Then I realised what it was. The houses all had doors and windows. And according to the front bar the first thing Nungas do when they move into a new house is rip the doors off their hinges and smash all the windows.
So that was the image I had in my head. No doors. No windows. Well, not any more. [p.222]
It's such a crappy equation, though: either the Aborigines do things they're way and the way they're comfortable with, which earns them everyone else's disapprobation and scorn and contempt, or they assimilate and do things in ways that are familiar to us, which make us feel safe, and abandon their own culture in the process. Because here's the thing: Australians won't respect the Aborigines unless they make an effort to look and behave like us, but in actuality it doesn't matter what they do, we will always look down on them. They can't win, in this equation. And the second thing is: they don't want to. They don't want to assimilate, and become "Australian" according to our (white) definition. Why should they have to? The problem lies in the sad fact that colonial Australia not only degraded them, but made sure there would be no place for them, regardless. They're stuck in a kind of racist Catch-22, and honestly, I can't blame them for being royally pissed about it.
The title Deadly Unna? refers to an expression Dumby Red often uses. "Deadly" meaning "cool" or something similar, and "unna?" akin to "isn't it?" or "right?" or, in Canadian, "eh?" (It doesn't say so in the book, but you can get the gist from the context.) The story is a quiet, fairly understated kind of tale, carried by Blacky's endearing and humorous narration. It has just the right amount of plot balanced by just the right amount of characterisation and character development to please me and keep me engaged. Truly I found it to be very well written and beautifully told. Blacky's voice is convincing for his age, his demographic and his environment. I found the publisher's blurb to be rather misleading, in that it implies much more drama than actually happens and much more interplay between Blacky and Dumby. It does make your expectations go off in rather the wrong direction, sadly. As long as you take the story as it's told, you will get a lot out of it.
There's a lot of subtlety and depth to this novel, tucked away within and without Blacky's observations. Much of it is sad and poignant, like Blacky's mum's life and marriage to his rather horrible father; the town's poverty; Mr Robinson's dead-end career; the way the "blacks" are ignored and treated like second-class citizens (or barely citizens); the poor state of the town library; the sense that this town and its people are largely forgotten - noticeable in the state of its community buildings, like the footy oval, and the local member's grandiose speech cataloguing his own achievements, none of which have any relevance to these people. Yet Blacky's voice remains largely upbeat and optimistic, in an adolescent way, and his observations of other people and his world overall are both insightful and humorous, epitomising that other stereotypical quality Australians are known for: the ability to avoid self-indulgence. No one wants to be a "bloody whinger", right?
With its understated approach to a sensitive, contentious issue nicely balanced with a humorous yet intense coming-of-age story, Deadly Unna? is unforgettable and thought-provoking. It's a story that takes its young and generous-hearted hero on a tentative journey exploring the grey areas between black and white, boyhood and manhood, love and hate, to discover the price of not just standing up for your values, but the price of formulating said values in the first place.
Blacky's story continues in the sequel, Nukkin Ya.
June 22, 2009
Lothed every minute of it. I only read this because I had to read it for English.
February 17, 2017
This is a book by a white author that very clumsily tries to deal with race relations but only the white people are fully drawn characters and the Indigenous characters exist as stereotypes and as a means of teaching the protagonist (a white male teenager) that racism is bad. The fact that this is based on real events and using real names without consultation with the local community is so unethical and exploitative and it's appalling that this book has won so many awards and is taught in schools rather than books by Indigenous authors. I forgot I had this as an ebook and decided to read it knowing nothing about it and I'm glad I did only because it exemplifies an issue in Australian literature of white people using Indigenous stories and pain for their own gain and to acclaim that is undeserved and actually harmful despite being well meaning.
October 29, 2012
Take note, this is what happens when you rush writing a book before you have a good or even a coheirent storyline.
There are 2 halves to this book, the first is about a football group in the state championship. The second is about the grief of Blacky - the main character - loosing a friend(I will not reveal names, hence no spoiler).
The one thing I really hated is that Phillip Gwynne isn't necessarily lacking in a premise, he just needs a better execution. If I were editing this book I would get rid of Cathy the camper, the graffitti on the shed and you'd have a good little story.
I also hated how Gwynne made this a joke. Taking a murder of an Australian Aboriginie with one of his "whitefella" friends grieving for him. THAT would be more interesting than what we got; Two stories moulding together.
Overall Gwynne needed at least half a dozen more drafts with the changes listed above. The movie "Australian Rules" surpasses the book in every aspect.
There are 2 halves to this book, the first is about a football group in the state championship. The second is about the grief of Blacky - the main character - loosing a friend(I will not reveal names, hence no spoiler).
The one thing I really hated is that Phillip Gwynne isn't necessarily lacking in a premise, he just needs a better execution. If I were editing this book I would get rid of Cathy the camper, the graffitti on the shed and you'd have a good little story.
I also hated how Gwynne made this a joke. Taking a murder of an Australian Aboriginie with one of his "whitefella" friends grieving for him. THAT would be more interesting than what we got; Two stories moulding together.
Overall Gwynne needed at least half a dozen more drafts with the changes listed above. The movie "Australian Rules" surpasses the book in every aspect.
May 9, 2021
i had to read this for my english essay and it was alright. it showed a really good representation of racism in australia
December 20, 2016
As it went on, it got better. A good read for teens about racial tension and standing up for social justice.
All cleverly disguised behind football.
All cleverly disguised behind football.
November 25, 2014
I have seen this book around for some time, never intending to buy it. I knew about its context, I knew about it's "book of the year" award, but it's the cover that catches my eye everytime. That smile - a full-on, joyous smile - tells that there is more to this story than meets the eye. And there was.
Seeing everything from a white Australian boy's perspective - the racial discrimination, the friendship that in those days (and occasionally today) is turned against - gives the reader a clear understanding of both what Indigenous Australians faced and how the younger generations couldn't see the complications. I've read books on this topic before, I've witnessed and experienced it before, but this book is different. It teaches a lesson to all that change is possible - it has to occur or otherwise we are just going to continue in the same routine that isn't getting us anywhere.
I recommended this book for its inspiration, context and the possibilities it holds (and the cute boy on the cover - there you go, I admit it!)
=)
Seeing everything from a white Australian boy's perspective - the racial discrimination, the friendship that in those days (and occasionally today) is turned against - gives the reader a clear understanding of both what Indigenous Australians faced and how the younger generations couldn't see the complications. I've read books on this topic before, I've witnessed and experienced it before, but this book is different. It teaches a lesson to all that change is possible - it has to occur or otherwise we are just going to continue in the same routine that isn't getting us anywhere.
I recommended this book for its inspiration, context and the possibilities it holds (and the cute boy on the cover - there you go, I admit it!)
=)
September 27, 2022
This book didn’t age well.
I don’t like giving books 1 star but I feel a statement needs to be made.
This book was written by a white man and gives perspectives of the indigenous culture and stereotypes that lie with in a small regional Australian community. Not only does it paint some alarming stereotypes that are never debunked it encourages toxic masculinity.
For a small gay child growing up in a regional community being forced to read books that depicted homophobic slurs only made it harder to be who I was. Using terms like poofter in a homophobic way is disgusting.
Schools loved this book when I grew up. But I just can’t get my head around why we encouraged schools to read this book. I hope they aren’t still reading this in the curriculum.
An edit is required for this book. I’m appalled.
I don’t like giving books 1 star but I feel a statement needs to be made.
This book was written by a white man and gives perspectives of the indigenous culture and stereotypes that lie with in a small regional Australian community. Not only does it paint some alarming stereotypes that are never debunked it encourages toxic masculinity.
For a small gay child growing up in a regional community being forced to read books that depicted homophobic slurs only made it harder to be who I was. Using terms like poofter in a homophobic way is disgusting.
Schools loved this book when I grew up. But I just can’t get my head around why we encouraged schools to read this book. I hope they aren’t still reading this in the curriculum.
An edit is required for this book. I’m appalled.
April 27, 2016
I was made to read this for a year 11 English assignment. This book wasn't 'painful' to read per say, and while I was actually reading it, it wasn't terrible. This was because I was under the impression that, much like any story that exists, it would actually lead to some sort of climax. But that never came and I realised at the end of the book that I wanted to kill myself.
When Phillip Gwynne was writing this book, he obviously was making a vague attempt to write a story that was driven by themes such as gender and racism. I thought that the book may have traded away eventful content for powerful themes however, the content was weak and the themes were dull.
I would recommend suicide over reading this book.
When Phillip Gwynne was writing this book, he obviously was making a vague attempt to write a story that was driven by themes such as gender and racism. I thought that the book may have traded away eventful content for powerful themes however, the content was weak and the themes were dull.
I would recommend suicide over reading this book.
April 11, 2023
English book I was kinda confused at the start of the book. Near the end, I was supposed to get dinner, but I forgot.
August 16, 2012
I liked this book, much more than I thought I would. Its themes, about racism and about family, were handled with unexpected subtlety. With minor spoilers, an aboriginal boy dies. In a more preaching book, the entire town would be remorseful and there would be a great reconcilliation. In this book, only one white person goes to his funeral, against many recommendations not to. I *like* that. Racism is not simple, and it's not cured in a massive sweeping style. Coming to accept others as equal happens one person at a time, slowly and grudgingly.
The other important message, realising that your parents standards might be impossible and might even be wrong, was handled with equal tact. The writing was good, and the characters were real.
So I had to ask myself why I was only giving it three stars. And mostly, it was because of how many people I couldn't share this book with.
Most people I know aren't overtly racist, but it's a fairly strong undercurrent in our society. One I've picked up on a bit, I think. There ARE double standards, for work placement, university entrance, financial payments just for being aboriginal. This is all for a reason, but people don't talk about why it's there. People don't mention it at all. Mentioning it would be racist. So people walk around silent, building up resentment because we don't know WHY they get advantages we don't. There are separate hospitals, separate law courts for juvenilles. It's hard to feel like there isn't a them and an us when in fact there is and it's written into the law.
Another thing that doesn't help is that all Aboriginal advocates are obnoxious and pushy, with their strongest theme being that our government apologise to them as a nation (they never existed as a nation, there were only separate tribes who didn't much like each other. Which still exist, which is why their special aboriginal-only centre in the local area I grew up in is only allowed to be used by one tribe, and the other has no access.) Apologise, and then give them lots of stuff. Land would be best, but failing that suff will do.
Now this isn't because they're Aboriginal that they're advocating 'we are done wrong by, give us stuff'. That's universal to politicians. Striking teachers, nurses, everyone has the same message. Give us more. But I get to hear other voices of teachers and nurses day to day, I accept them as people and individuals, and understand their cause. The only Aboriginals I hear from are politicians. The only voice I ever hear is the obnoxious one.
So if I give this book more than three stars, that means I'm advocating its message. Which, yeah, I am. It's a good message, and it's right. But white people talking about racism? They're all politicians. Loud, obnoxious, hammering on about it like it's their pet puppy and they have to walk it daily.
I have no interest in being categorised with them.
I have no interest in talking about racism.
But in the quiet way that this book does, rather than the hideously gaudy arm waving way the advocates do, I'd like to say this is a good book, which you'll enjoy reading probably, and its message is a good one. Racism is bad. And you know, sometimes you can say that without it being more than a casual sentence in conversation rather than a giant red flag. So casually, not in your face, I liked this book and it happens to have themes of racism in it incidentally. Four stars.
The other important message, realising that your parents standards might be impossible and might even be wrong, was handled with equal tact. The writing was good, and the characters were real.
So I had to ask myself why I was only giving it three stars. And mostly, it was because of how many people I couldn't share this book with.
Most people I know aren't overtly racist, but it's a fairly strong undercurrent in our society. One I've picked up on a bit, I think. There ARE double standards, for work placement, university entrance, financial payments just for being aboriginal. This is all for a reason, but people don't talk about why it's there. People don't mention it at all. Mentioning it would be racist. So people walk around silent, building up resentment because we don't know WHY they get advantages we don't. There are separate hospitals, separate law courts for juvenilles. It's hard to feel like there isn't a them and an us when in fact there is and it's written into the law.
Another thing that doesn't help is that all Aboriginal advocates are obnoxious and pushy, with their strongest theme being that our government apologise to them as a nation (they never existed as a nation, there were only separate tribes who didn't much like each other. Which still exist, which is why their special aboriginal-only centre in the local area I grew up in is only allowed to be used by one tribe, and the other has no access.) Apologise, and then give them lots of stuff. Land would be best, but failing that suff will do.
Now this isn't because they're Aboriginal that they're advocating 'we are done wrong by, give us stuff'. That's universal to politicians. Striking teachers, nurses, everyone has the same message. Give us more. But I get to hear other voices of teachers and nurses day to day, I accept them as people and individuals, and understand their cause. The only Aboriginals I hear from are politicians. The only voice I ever hear is the obnoxious one.
So if I give this book more than three stars, that means I'm advocating its message. Which, yeah, I am. It's a good message, and it's right. But white people talking about racism? They're all politicians. Loud, obnoxious, hammering on about it like it's their pet puppy and they have to walk it daily.
I have no interest in being categorised with them.
I have no interest in talking about racism.
But in the quiet way that this book does, rather than the hideously gaudy arm waving way the advocates do, I'd like to say this is a good book, which you'll enjoy reading probably, and its message is a good one. Racism is bad. And you know, sometimes you can say that without it being more than a casual sentence in conversation rather than a giant red flag. So casually, not in your face, I liked this book and it happens to have themes of racism in it incidentally. Four stars.
July 19, 2010
This book just moved too slowly for me. Also contrary to the description on the back of the book, this book did not talk much about the friendship between Dumby Red and Blacky. It talked more about the racial tensions between Aboriginals and white Australians, which is fine. I just had a hard time understanding the friendship between Blacky and Dumby Red, since it wasn't touched upon that much (they were odd friends). This is one of those books where it's hard for me to put a finger on why I didn't love this book exactly. I think it was a combination of the book moving too slowly and being annoyed with the main character. It was interesting because unlike books I've read set in the UK that are easy to understand based on context, this book was much more confusing. I had to look up what footy is because it sounded like soccer (or football) but they used their hands to tackle and grab the ball. However, I don't hold this against the book, but it did make it an even slower read because I wanted to be sure I understood what was going on.
Deadly Unna? isn't laugh out loud funny but there are many scenes that will leave you with an amused smile on your face. I would recommend it but especially to American readers, who may not have known about how Aboriginals are discriminated against (I certainly didn't know about it, some incidents are almost worse than things that occur in America!). I would also say it's a great book to introduce Americans to parts of Australian culture. I loved learning about footy and learning about Australian culture. Blacky's family is a riot (except for his father, grrr) while his friends are kind of annoying. I do intend on reading the sequel (Nukkin Ya) because I think it will touch even more upon racial issues in Australia. By the way, this book was made into a movie called Australian Rules.
Deadly Unna? isn't laugh out loud funny but there are many scenes that will leave you with an amused smile on your face. I would recommend it but especially to American readers, who may not have known about how Aboriginals are discriminated against (I certainly didn't know about it, some incidents are almost worse than things that occur in America!). I would also say it's a great book to introduce Americans to parts of Australian culture. I loved learning about footy and learning about Australian culture. Blacky's family is a riot (except for his father, grrr) while his friends are kind of annoying. I do intend on reading the sequel (Nukkin Ya) because I think it will touch even more upon racial issues in Australia. By the way, this book was made into a movie called Australian Rules.
October 12, 2011
I did not expect to like this book as much as I did. A friend had read it in high school and said it was just a book about boys and footy. Boy was I pleased to find out she was wrong. Deadly Unna is a fun read with an unfortunate end.
Deadly Unna is the story of two boys, Dumby Red and Blacky, who become friends due to shared interests. This might not seem like something to worry about... until you realise that Dumby is an Aborigine and Blacky is pale as a ghost. The boys don't care about the colour difference but it's obvious that it is important to some. The story is set in a little town in rural South Australia where tourism and fishing seem to be the main industry.
The themes dealt with in this book are ideal for the classroom, hence why it was required reading in an education course, and the story easy to get hooked into. Gwynne's handling and portrayal of the racial tensions was excellent. I loved the relationship between Dumby and Blacky, and I was especially touched at the end when Blacky snuck into the reservation to be at Dumby's funeral. The romance between Clarence and Blacky was nicely handled as well. Very sweet, very believable.
Unless you're Australian or know something about Australian culture, this might be a hard book to get into. However, I would highly reccommend it.
Deadly Unna is the story of two boys, Dumby Red and Blacky, who become friends due to shared interests. This might not seem like something to worry about... until you realise that Dumby is an Aborigine and Blacky is pale as a ghost. The boys don't care about the colour difference but it's obvious that it is important to some. The story is set in a little town in rural South Australia where tourism and fishing seem to be the main industry.
The themes dealt with in this book are ideal for the classroom, hence why it was required reading in an education course, and the story easy to get hooked into. Gwynne's handling and portrayal of the racial tensions was excellent. I loved the relationship between Dumby and Blacky, and I was especially touched at the end when Blacky snuck into the reservation to be at Dumby's funeral. The romance between Clarence and Blacky was nicely handled as well. Very sweet, very believable.
Unless you're Australian or know something about Australian culture, this might be a hard book to get into. However, I would highly reccommend it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 27, 2016
Does the review system allow for negative star ratings? Despite the requirement to read it for English, it was simply impossible... Mental health unfortunately comes before English "requirements". The book causes an expodential increase in brain tumor growth, and would be better used as fuel for a fire than a piece of literature in a library.
Character development is not available.
Following Language is not avalaible.
Plot is not avalaible.
Capitivating introduction is not available.
Climax is not available.
In summary, the book is excellent for those wishing to regret schooling, and become discontent with life.
I recommend adding a warning sticker to all copies of the book, advising that is has potential detrimental impacts on mental health.
Character development is not available.
Following Language is not avalaible.
Plot is not avalaible.
Capitivating introduction is not available.
Climax is not available.
In summary, the book is excellent for those wishing to regret schooling, and become discontent with life.
I recommend adding a warning sticker to all copies of the book, advising that is has potential detrimental impacts on mental health.
June 13, 2012
Am teaching this novel to my year 12 English Studies class. The class has a few indigenous students, which has made for some interesting discussions. Be warned, there is a lot of swearing in this book, so while the protagonist is only 14, there is no way I'd try and teach it to a class any younger than year 10 (even the 19 year olds in my y12 class would snigger whenever I read a passage with a 'rude' word in it).
However, I think it's a great insight into the racism that still does go on today, and would e an eye opening read for most Australian teenagers.
However, I think it's a great insight into the racism that still does go on today, and would e an eye opening read for most Australian teenagers.
February 23, 2015
"Deadly Unna?" is a book that is rare. Rare in the sense that it has little plot, character development or anything interesting at all. Even so, it has managed to secure an award despite my incredulity and bemusement. Don't read it, unless you're forced to like the poor sods at my school.
Currently reading
March 29, 2012i dont wanna read it.
November 30, 2015
I loved this book despite some negative comments from my Grade 10 students-frankly, I think they would complain about any book they were made to study regardless of it's quality!
January 30, 2024
I'm so glad I picked this up on audio from my library, and then I renewed it the maximum number of times... and then I finally pressed play. I was very quickly enveloped in small town coastal South Australia.
I gobbled this audiobook up in just a few days, and am still thinking about the wonderful cast of characters and the events of the story.
I need to say more, but don't have time right now.
I gobbled this audiobook up in just a few days, and am still thinking about the wonderful cast of characters and the events of the story.
I need to say more, but don't have time right now.
June 13, 2022
Had to read it at school. Twas ok. Possibly lost on me at the time.
February 26, 2025
had to read this for english
June 18, 2012
This book had a interesting plot to it. It is about this remote community in northern South Australia. The community has a Footy team called the Port footy team. The two main characters in this book are two boys called Dumby Red and Blacky. This footy team brings two communities together. The Aboriginal community and the (as they call it) white community. The footy team are in the grand final, which they haven't been apart of for 40 years. Will they win? But there is drama after the final. Something shocking will happen. Something that may bring the two very close communities apart. What could it be??
This book shows you the sides of racial tensions within Australia. This book has a drama theme to it and it catches you with suspense. I recommend this book for teenagers and adults who love a good book.
Luckily it isn't the last book within the series. There is another book called Nuckin Ya. The second book follows from the first. You can't read the second book first without reading the first one (Deadly Unna).
This is a very intriguing book and I give it 4 out of 5 stars. There are a lot of twist and turns within the book and you don't know what's going to happen next.
An interesting fact: Deadly Unna means hello and goodbye in Aboriginal langue and Nuckin Ya means Goodbye.
This book shows you the sides of racial tensions within Australia. This book has a drama theme to it and it catches you with suspense. I recommend this book for teenagers and adults who love a good book.
Luckily it isn't the last book within the series. There is another book called Nuckin Ya. The second book follows from the first. You can't read the second book first without reading the first one (Deadly Unna).
This is a very intriguing book and I give it 4 out of 5 stars. There are a lot of twist and turns within the book and you don't know what's going to happen next.
An interesting fact: Deadly Unna means hello and goodbye in Aboriginal langue and Nuckin Ya means Goodbye.
November 24, 2012
This book was given to me in Grade 11 English. It seems here Phillip Gwynne doesn't know how to center his plot on something. The first half of thew book is centered around some football grand final. The second? Racism or teenage love? It tries to be both but neither really connect to each other. Aside from the main character there is no connection. I will not read the sequel Nukkin' Ya because this failed to interest me at all, I suggest you pick up the movie adaptation Australian Rules - while that still has it's many MANY problems, at least that knew how to center it's own plot.
June 15, 2016
It only gets two stars because it does a decent job of commenting on social issues. Otherwise, a utterly unreadable book. The plot goes nowhere really, it just kinda meanders around before getting to what it wants to say about the social issues it addresses. I kept see plot points being set up and going, so is he going to.. or .. no? I spent the first three quarters wondering what this book was about. Football...no, A YA books about friends...no, teenage love...no, ahh finally... racism. It feels like 250 pages of some random kid from a random town, with a little commentary on social issues. Took me many sittings to finish- I found myself reading 5 pages and putting it down because of how boring it was. Would have given up within 30 pages if it wasn't required reading.
June 10, 2016
Honestly, I think I could shit out a better book. Australian stereotyping, typical Australian racism and a cheesy romance which had nothing to do with the book. The blurb has little to nothing to do with the book either. The blurb makes it seem like Dumby Red's a big deal, when he is, in fact, not. Might as well have just put a fucking rock as the main character, I probably would've felt more empathetic towards it than the piece of shit characters Gwynne had created.
P.S I lost unnecessary brain cells because of this book.
Love Patrick Al Birosaur
P.S I lost unnecessary brain cells because of this book.
Love Patrick Al Birosaur
May 16, 2015
I absolutely love this book! I had to read it for high school and then again for university and both times I really enjoyed it. It has some mature themes and a lot of coarse language, but it deals with the heavy subject of racism in a really readable, enjoyable story. Fair warning though, if you aren't familiar with Aussie slang (like 'bagsing someone a seat' or 'chucking a wobbly') then a lot of this book will confuse you.
March 28, 2017
Read many years ago. I love this book, but would need to read it again to review properly.
March 30, 2016
I don't know how authors do it, but come always manage to change to your life. Just like this one did. Definitly worth reading.
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