Holocaust Island

by Graeme Dixon

This dynamic collection of poetry is the inaugural winner of the David Uniapon Award for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander writers. Graeme Dixon's ballards speak out on comtemporary and controversial issues, from Black deaths in custody to the struggles of single mothers. Contrasted with these are poems of spirited humour and sharp satire. In "Holocaust Island" a powerful new voice emerges from a history of displacement.

Genres: Poetry, Australia

79 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1990

Reviews

[Ellen Marie]

Oh, this book is so haunting and powerful; the author’s sharp writing style is like a gut punch.

The stand outs for me are “WASP/SWAT”, “Six Feet of Land Rights” and “Holocaust Island”.

I think this should be a must-read for every Aussie.

[Serena]

a book everyone should read

incredibly heart breaking, witty and powerful with every line


// Then when the reaper comes

to switch off our lights

our souls may rest in peace, knowing

at last! Six feet of land rights. //

[Caren]

Dixon’s “streetwise and honest” poems rally against the injustice endured by Aborigines, citing controversial experiences of discrimination, poverty, and land rights. His biting satire is deliberately confronting, working to highlight the relentless fight of his people against “Two hundred years of white occupation/Two hundred years of BLACK desolation.”

Dixon’s poems are presented in two sections: Prison Spirit and Holocaust Island. The issues of police brutality, deaths in custody, unjust incarceration are dealt with in the first section with unmasked rage: “They cry for the
BLACKS deep in South Africa…Why don’t they cry for us in this HELL instead of chaining lynching in cold prison cells?” With fierce opposition, in the second section Dixon decries the injustice of the occupation and its impact on the people. Nowhere is his sarcasm more effective than in “Six Feet of land rights”, in which he writes that “…when the reaper comes to switch off our lights/our souls may rest in peace, knowing at last! Six feet of land rights.”

These are poems to return to, every bit as relevant now as they were in 1990. Their simplicity draws the reader immediately to his calls for justice as he holds “an emotional mirror to what many Aboriginal people still experience today” (Introduction)

[Steven Clarke]

Graeme Dixon’s Holocaust Island is an entrancing and deeply emotional collection of poems, memories, and stories from a young life confronting the authority of white Australia. It lays bare the painful reality of growing up Indigenous in a nation taught to despise Indigeneity, reflecting on experiences of incarceration, discrimination, and loss. The book offers a truly mesmerising perspective on the endless cycle that continues to harass, corral, and destroy Aboriginal lives. Yet beyond its sweeping and brutal truths about society, it also reveals a man whose soul has never waned despite the suffering he has endured. His genuine kindness and care for others radiate from the pages, grounding his work. A quick but unforgettable read.

[Natasha (jouljet)]

A little book of poetry that packs a punch - about incarceration, Black deaths in custody, the systemic and social binds that land Aboriginal people in jail, and the limited opportunities that keep them from preventing return.

Charmed, clever rhythming, painting a full picture with often just a handful of words.

[Tim Hoar]

Remarkable. Hopefully this new publication will help it get more well known. Dixon brings a unique perspective to the Indigenous experience in Australia. Prison, mateship, inequality, artistry all rendered in different ways throughout.

[Charlie Miller]

Once again a book I am reading as part of my dymocks reading challenge. I won’t give this book a rating as that feels wrong but it really made me think. I enjoyed reading the poetry as that’s really different to what I usually reach for.

[Deb Chapman]

Wow! What a powerful title and excellent selection of poems that give real insight into Graham Dixon’s life and times. I listened to this collection (first time I’ve heard poetry read to me in this way) and it was lovely. Made me use all my senses.

[Nicola Pennell]

This book popped up as a suggestion on the app I use for audio books. It’s not the type of book I would normally read/listen to, however as it stood out to me I thought I’d give it a go.
Extremely powerful words. Listening to the poems, telling a story, with a great reader…I really enjoyed it!

[Annie]

Not into poetry usually but these are bite sized, easy to read, honest, no frills poems.

[Steven Kolber]

Fire poetry! Engaging and exciting! Powerful, short, rhythmic and punchy!

[Belle]

Absolutely heartbreaking. A poetry series that every Australian should read.

[Claire Anne]

So affected by these poems, so powerful

[Adellet]

Favourite poems:
- Yigga’s run
- Darryl
- W.A.S.P. /S.W.A.T.
- Single Mum
- $2 a bottle of dreams
- Hypocritic sponsorship
- A unfortunate life
- To let

[Kathleen]

3.5 Stars

[Danaë Paternoster]

I listened to the audiobook on Borrowbox as physical book was not in their range.
Very well written selection of poems.

[Molly Jane]

Hauntingly powerful and relevant to today.
One of the best poetry books I have read. Heartbreaking but so well written.

[Abel Fiji]

the roo story is true!! I was there

[DonutKnow]

Down to earth ❤️

[keely]

should be required reading

[Jo]

Some utterly beautiful prose in here. And reading this post-Referendum in Australia, with the gap not close to being closed, it was a difficult read because of its stark truths.

[Aj]

I am blown away by how Dixon manages to pack so much punch into such short and deceptively simple poems. My favourite was Yigga's Run.

[Lauren Pacella]

Arresting, powerful and so important.

[Tilda]

Evocative, powerful and the injustices sadly still so relevant to today. People who 'don't love poetry' will get a lot out of this book.