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Daughter of the River Country
From a victim of the 'stolen generations' comes a remarkable memoir of abuse, survival - and ultimately hope.
Born in country NSW in the 1940s, baby Dianne is immediately taken from her Aboriginal mother. Raised in the era of the White Australia policy, Dianne grows up believing her adoptive Irish mother, Val, is her birth mother. Val promises Dianne that one day they will take a trip and she will 'tell her a secret'. But before they get the chance, Val tragically dies.
Abandoned by her adoptive father, Dianne is raped at the age of 15, sentenced to Parramatta Girls Home and later forced to marry her rapist in order to keep her baby. She goes on to endure horrific domestic violence at the hands of different partners, alcohol addiction and cruel betrayal by those closest to her. But amazingly her fighting spirit is not extinguished.
At the age of 36, while raising six kids on her own, Dianne learns she is Aboriginal and that her great-grandfather was William Cooper, a famous Aboriginal activist. Miraculously she finds a way to forgive her traumatic past and becomes a leader in her own right, vowing to help other stolen people just like her.
Born in country NSW in the 1940s, baby Dianne is immediately taken from her Aboriginal mother. Raised in the era of the White Australia policy, Dianne grows up believing her adoptive Irish mother, Val, is her birth mother. Val promises Dianne that one day they will take a trip and she will 'tell her a secret'. But before they get the chance, Val tragically dies.
Abandoned by her adoptive father, Dianne is raped at the age of 15, sentenced to Parramatta Girls Home and later forced to marry her rapist in order to keep her baby. She goes on to endure horrific domestic violence at the hands of different partners, alcohol addiction and cruel betrayal by those closest to her. But amazingly her fighting spirit is not extinguished.
At the age of 36, while raising six kids on her own, Dianne learns she is Aboriginal and that her great-grandfather was William Cooper, a famous Aboriginal activist. Miraculously she finds a way to forgive her traumatic past and becomes a leader in her own right, vowing to help other stolen people just like her.
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First published July 2, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
August 14, 2021
‘Growing up, it seemed like we had a good life.’
Memoirs by members of the ‘stolen generations’ are always difficult to read. And they are especially uncomfortable to read when they involve abuse. Difficult and uncomfortable, but important. Why? Because if we ignore these memoirs we are ignoring (and denying) the pain caused. I know that we cannot change those experiences, but we can acknowledge their impact.
Dianne was 36 years old before she learned she was Aboriginal. She had grown up believing that her adoptive mother, Val, was her birth mother. While Val had promised Dianne that she would take her to Parkes when Dianne turned 15 and ‘tell her a secret’, she died three months before Dianne’s 15th birthday.
Dianne was abandoned by her adoptive father, was raped, and sent to the Parramatta Girls Home. To keep her baby, she married her rapist. Twenty-one years later, raising six children on her own, Dianne learns that she is Aboriginal.
Somehow, despite domestic abuse and alcohol addiction, Dianne managed to survive and has taken on a leadership role. Auntie Di was named NSW Grandparent of the Year in 2017. At the time, she was aged 71 and had 36 grandchildren and 56 great grandchildren.
This is the memoir of an amazing woman and while I found it unbearably sad in parts, I finished it full of admiration for what Auntie Di has achieved. An inspirational memoir of courage, persistence and resilience.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
Memoirs by members of the ‘stolen generations’ are always difficult to read. And they are especially uncomfortable to read when they involve abuse. Difficult and uncomfortable, but important. Why? Because if we ignore these memoirs we are ignoring (and denying) the pain caused. I know that we cannot change those experiences, but we can acknowledge their impact.
Dianne was 36 years old before she learned she was Aboriginal. She had grown up believing that her adoptive mother, Val, was her birth mother. While Val had promised Dianne that she would take her to Parkes when Dianne turned 15 and ‘tell her a secret’, she died three months before Dianne’s 15th birthday.
Dianne was abandoned by her adoptive father, was raped, and sent to the Parramatta Girls Home. To keep her baby, she married her rapist. Twenty-one years later, raising six children on her own, Dianne learns that she is Aboriginal.
Somehow, despite domestic abuse and alcohol addiction, Dianne managed to survive and has taken on a leadership role. Auntie Di was named NSW Grandparent of the Year in 2017. At the time, she was aged 71 and had 36 grandchildren and 56 great grandchildren.
This is the memoir of an amazing woman and while I found it unbearably sad in parts, I finished it full of admiration for what Auntie Di has achieved. An inspirational memoir of courage, persistence and resilience.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
December 10, 2021
Review to follow.
July 7, 2021
Some books are difficult to read. This was one of them, but not because it was bad, in fact, the complete opposite. To call this book beautiful is at odds with the violent subject matter and to call it shocking makes it sound far-fetched. Yet it was both beautiful and shocking, and so much more.
It's the memoir of Dianne O'Brien, a Yorta Yorta woman who is stolen from her Aboriginal mother in the late 1940s and given to a white couple who raise her as a little white girl in the Sydney suburbs. Dianne grows up not knowing she is Aboriginal but feeling like an outsider nonetheless. When her adoptive mother dies when Dianne is 14, her adoptive father abandons her and it sets off a series of shocking events which include rape (several times) institutionalisation in the brutal Parramatta Girls Home and decades of domestic abuse at the hands of just about every male that comes into Dianne's life. But she rises above every horrific event to not only survive, but to thrive. Along the way she discovers her true heritage, which includes legendary Aboriginal activist William Cooper.
This book is not for the fainthearted, but who are we as readers to avert our sensibilities from a difficult subject that is a reality for so many? Dianne, or Aunty Di as she became known in her community, bravely recounts her life so that we may understand the hardships and inequalities that exist in our community.
But you arrive at the end with a feeling of hope and joy because Dianne rises above all the horror in her life to be a leader and a healer in her community, guiding and supporting Aboriginal people in the areas of health, welfare, culture and education. As she says in the end, "...life had been very cruel in so many ways. But I'd survived and, despite the hardships, I'd never become bitter."
This is a book about survival, about prevailing against the odds, about family and the bonds that tie, and about having your identity wrenched from you and about finding it again. And, despite the horror, it's ultimately a book about hope.
I'm so glad I found this book (or rather, that it found me).
It's the memoir of Dianne O'Brien, a Yorta Yorta woman who is stolen from her Aboriginal mother in the late 1940s and given to a white couple who raise her as a little white girl in the Sydney suburbs. Dianne grows up not knowing she is Aboriginal but feeling like an outsider nonetheless. When her adoptive mother dies when Dianne is 14, her adoptive father abandons her and it sets off a series of shocking events which include rape (several times) institutionalisation in the brutal Parramatta Girls Home and decades of domestic abuse at the hands of just about every male that comes into Dianne's life. But she rises above every horrific event to not only survive, but to thrive. Along the way she discovers her true heritage, which includes legendary Aboriginal activist William Cooper.
This book is not for the fainthearted, but who are we as readers to avert our sensibilities from a difficult subject that is a reality for so many? Dianne, or Aunty Di as she became known in her community, bravely recounts her life so that we may understand the hardships and inequalities that exist in our community.
But you arrive at the end with a feeling of hope and joy because Dianne rises above all the horror in her life to be a leader and a healer in her community, guiding and supporting Aboriginal people in the areas of health, welfare, culture and education. As she says in the end, "...life had been very cruel in so many ways. But I'd survived and, despite the hardships, I'd never become bitter."
This is a book about survival, about prevailing against the odds, about family and the bonds that tie, and about having your identity wrenched from you and about finding it again. And, despite the horror, it's ultimately a book about hope.
I'm so glad I found this book (or rather, that it found me).
July 1, 2021
Australian author Dianne O'Brien was a child of the Stolen Generations. In her memoir she recounts her horrific teenage years after the death of her (foster) Mother, and the subsequent abuse she received at the hands of the many men in her life. Parts of her life story are very confronting and yet Dianne has managed to overcome her past and is now a role model for disadvantaged First Nations people. This is a book that I think all Australians should try to get their hands on! Thanks to Better Reading for my ARC of Daughter of the River Country.
January 22, 2022
It’s powerful to read about how valuable connection (and even knowledge!) of country is, even before O’Brien knew what it even was. A damning review of the way systems have failed women and Indigenous people throughout society, but a humbling exploration of the impact one woman can make.
April 18, 2022
An incredible and fascinating life story of resilience and ultimately hope despite extreme adversity.
This isn’t an easy or enjoyable read but so important to do so if Australia is to learn from its mistakes and heal as a collective . So much pain and trauma continues to play out its impacts even to this day for our mob.
As someone who has always known they are Aboriginal I also admired Dianne’s courage to learn about her life story and to carve a new identity. What an incredible woman.
This isn’t an easy or enjoyable read but so important to do so if Australia is to learn from its mistakes and heal as a collective . So much pain and trauma continues to play out its impacts even to this day for our mob.
As someone who has always known they are Aboriginal I also admired Dianne’s courage to learn about her life story and to carve a new identity. What an incredible woman.
July 2, 2021
First off, I wanted to mention that I don't usually read memoirs. However when I saw this title and read the blurb I felt instantly drawn to it, knowing that it was going to be an important Australian read. It's extremely tough to read in some sections and I found it impossible to put down. So much heartbreak in this book! It gave me a LOT to think about, and it covered some big issues in relation to (TW) the white Australia policy, young unmarried mothers, foster/adoption, addiction and child abuse.
This memoir is about the life and struggles of Dianne O'Brien. (Aunty Di)
As a baby, she was taken from her Aboriginal mother and adopted by a white couple. Di was never told about her heritage and could never understand comments about her darker features. After her adoptive mother dies, she is left with her hateful adoptive father and ultimately ends up pregnant and under the care of Parramatta girls home, where she is told she must marry her rapist in order to keep her baby.
Throughout this book, there is heartbreak after heartbreak, continuing well into her adult years. However, there is also a strong survival element and I was cheering Di on as she developed and fought to become the strong leader that she is today.
After I finished I actually had so much to think about that I didn't pick up another book for a few days while I really unpacked everything that I read.
I highly recommend this memoir, but take note of the trigger warnings if they are relevant to you.
Thank you to @echo_publishing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review
This memoir is about the life and struggles of Dianne O'Brien. (Aunty Di)
As a baby, she was taken from her Aboriginal mother and adopted by a white couple. Di was never told about her heritage and could never understand comments about her darker features. After her adoptive mother dies, she is left with her hateful adoptive father and ultimately ends up pregnant and under the care of Parramatta girls home, where she is told she must marry her rapist in order to keep her baby.
Throughout this book, there is heartbreak after heartbreak, continuing well into her adult years. However, there is also a strong survival element and I was cheering Di on as she developed and fought to become the strong leader that she is today.
After I finished I actually had so much to think about that I didn't pick up another book for a few days while I really unpacked everything that I read.
I highly recommend this memoir, but take note of the trigger warnings if they are relevant to you.
Thank you to @echo_publishing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 30, 2021
The men Dianne was involved with were complete b*stards of course, but I'm always the most shocked and saddened at abuse (physical, mental, sexual) within children's home/care home settings. A complete betrayal of trust that should not be happening.
It was so frustrating that Dianne just kept getting into bad situations. I get that she didn't have any real family or home to cling to and was very vulnerable as a young mum to several children (speaking of which, no one appears to have heard of condoms in this book. Why keep bringing babies into an unstable and abusive home if you can help it?), but come on! One foul bloke after another.
I think I'd just read too many misery memoirs in a row prior to picking this up, hence only 3 stars. They're not what you'd call enjoyable and it seems my patience had worn thin by the time I got to this.
That said, I do wish this lady all the best. She's had a hard life with a lot of sorrow and tragedy and she's done some wonderful work for various communities and the troubled people within them.
It was so frustrating that Dianne just kept getting into bad situations. I get that she didn't have any real family or home to cling to and was very vulnerable as a young mum to several children (speaking of which, no one appears to have heard of condoms in this book. Why keep bringing babies into an unstable and abusive home if you can help it?), but come on! One foul bloke after another.
I think I'd just read too many misery memoirs in a row prior to picking this up, hence only 3 stars. They're not what you'd call enjoyable and it seems my patience had worn thin by the time I got to this.
That said, I do wish this lady all the best. She's had a hard life with a lot of sorrow and tragedy and she's done some wonderful work for various communities and the troubled people within them.
November 30, 2021
5 stars
Aunty Di's memoir had me on the verge of tears. It was very painful and uncomfortable to read, and I felt horror reliving some of the experiences that Aunty Di faced, including but not limited to: stolen at birth, family violence, sexual violence, domestic violence, stolen identity, premature loss of loved ones, racist and oppressive laws, socioeconomic disadvantage and drug/alcohol addiction.
It is so important for Australians to read this memoir - to acknowledge our dark history and the aftermath on victim survivors and their families. This is part of our recent past, present and future - and should be informing current policies and organisations to support those that experience ongoing trauma.
I thank Aunty Di for her resilience and strength, and for opening herself up to the public - so we can learn from such a remarkable woman.
Aunty Di's memoir had me on the verge of tears. It was very painful and uncomfortable to read, and I felt horror reliving some of the experiences that Aunty Di faced, including but not limited to: stolen at birth, family violence, sexual violence, domestic violence, stolen identity, premature loss of loved ones, racist and oppressive laws, socioeconomic disadvantage and drug/alcohol addiction.
It is so important for Australians to read this memoir - to acknowledge our dark history and the aftermath on victim survivors and their families. This is part of our recent past, present and future - and should be informing current policies and organisations to support those that experience ongoing trauma.
I thank Aunty Di for her resilience and strength, and for opening herself up to the public - so we can learn from such a remarkable woman.
November 29, 2022
Kindness is a matter of life and death
That’s my alternate title for Dianne O’Brien’s autobiography ‘Daughter of the River Country’.
That’s because the pivotal moments of Dianne’s life were marked by ordinary people extending kindness; the people generous enough to pick up hitchhikers; the pharmacy person willing to help connect women who looked related; the records clerk who was willing to do that bit extra to find an answer; the people who were willing to give a job to a woman under duress; the people willing to offer hours of respite and conversation and safety and friendship to those in need; and many more.
Likewise, the refusal of kindness always led to darker and more life-threatening days.
But it is also the story of an adoptee’s journey to discover their biological history.
It is also the story of a mother having to make terrible decisions in order to keep her children safe.
It is also the story of resilience in the face of a multiplicity of traumas.
It is also the story of living in low income areas and the search for somewhere safe to begin to put down roots.
For those who have lived through relational abuse themselves, Dianne’s life story can provide answers to why their loved ones had to choose to do the unthinkable and stay rather than leave.
For those who are living through a substance abuse spiral, Dianne’s life story will give you hope.
For those who are on the journey of accepting and embracing aboriginal heritage, Dianne’s life story will encourage you.
There are parts of Dianne’s life story which have yet to be written down, firstly what she has learned through her many years of drug, alcohol and abuse counselling and secondly what she has learned of aboriginal culture and of river country culture in particular.
May those yet-to-be-written books come into being soon.
That’s my alternate title for Dianne O’Brien’s autobiography ‘Daughter of the River Country’.
That’s because the pivotal moments of Dianne’s life were marked by ordinary people extending kindness; the people generous enough to pick up hitchhikers; the pharmacy person willing to help connect women who looked related; the records clerk who was willing to do that bit extra to find an answer; the people who were willing to give a job to a woman under duress; the people willing to offer hours of respite and conversation and safety and friendship to those in need; and many more.
Likewise, the refusal of kindness always led to darker and more life-threatening days.
But it is also the story of an adoptee’s journey to discover their biological history.
It is also the story of a mother having to make terrible decisions in order to keep her children safe.
It is also the story of resilience in the face of a multiplicity of traumas.
It is also the story of living in low income areas and the search for somewhere safe to begin to put down roots.
For those who have lived through relational abuse themselves, Dianne’s life story can provide answers to why their loved ones had to choose to do the unthinkable and stay rather than leave.
For those who are living through a substance abuse spiral, Dianne’s life story will give you hope.
For those who are on the journey of accepting and embracing aboriginal heritage, Dianne’s life story will encourage you.
There are parts of Dianne’s life story which have yet to be written down, firstly what she has learned through her many years of drug, alcohol and abuse counselling and secondly what she has learned of aboriginal culture and of river country culture in particular.
May those yet-to-be-written books come into being soon.
May 19, 2022
The best memoir I have read (audiobook) in a long time. Despite the terrible heartship, violence, loss and injustice Dianna endured, there is so much hope, positivity and pride throughout the book. The love for her children and her fierce fight to protect and keep them is incredible.
It was quite confronting and upsetting to listen to Dianna’s story, a victim of the stolen generation. But the ‘Daughter of the River Country’ truly is an inspiration. She has changed the life of many through her ongoing (Indigenous) community work which earned her many awards and recognitions.
A story of self-discovery, (re-)connection, hard work and forgiveness. I highly recommend it!
Also, the audiobook has been wonderfully read by Lisa Maza.
It was quite confronting and upsetting to listen to Dianna’s story, a victim of the stolen generation. But the ‘Daughter of the River Country’ truly is an inspiration. She has changed the life of many through her ongoing (Indigenous) community work which earned her many awards and recognitions.
A story of self-discovery, (re-)connection, hard work and forgiveness. I highly recommend it!
Also, the audiobook has been wonderfully read by Lisa Maza.
July 3, 2022
Dianne is indeed a survivor. This memoir should be recommended reading so we, as Australians never forget the horrors of the Stolen Generation and the brutality of abuse suffered by young girls in Institutional Care (everybody, and I mean everybody in this country should know about the Parramatta Girls Home and other evil places like it that existed).
February 6, 2022
A remarkable and resilient woman, Dianne O’Brien gives us her story. Her’s is a story of violence, abuse, rape and grief. Of not finding out her true identity until well into her thirties and of turning this knowledge and her trauma into a life of hope, love and help for those who have suffered as she has done.
November 6, 2021
A devastating memoir by a remarkably brave Yorta Yorta woman. Yet another tragic example of the atrocities of Australia’s stolen generation.
October 12, 2024
An amazing autobiography for an amazing person. This book had me on the verge of tears reading what auntie Di went through and how she has literally turned her life around.
August 30, 2025
crazy to read about what atrocities the human body and mind can handle. at times deeply disturbing, at times incredibly uplifting, a very goodread
January 24, 2022
Daughter of the River Country is Dianne O'Briens' story. An adopted daughter who later found out she was apart of the Stolen generation. She has endured physical and sexual abuse. Faced adversity head on. When life tore her down, she would pick herself up, dust herself off and continue on. Dianne is amazing and her story although heart wrenching at times shows a strength that not everyone has.
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July 19, 2022A humbling read. Relatable as a mother.
July 4, 2021
https://denisenewtonwrites.com/?p=2913
I have nothing but admiration for Dianne O’Brien and her memoir sheds further light on what has often been a hidden part of Australia’s past. It is one of the growing number of books that allow Australians to learn, reflect and hopefully understand more about the experiences of First Nations communities.
Daughter of the River Country
Dianne O’Brien
I have nothing but admiration for Dianne O’Brien and her memoir sheds further light on what has often been a hidden part of Australia’s past. It is one of the growing number of books that allow Australians to learn, reflect and hopefully understand more about the experiences of First Nations communities.
Daughter of the River Country
Dianne O’Brien
October 12, 2021
As a newcomer to Australia, I am keen to understand more about the country and its people. This is my third colonized country. Sadly, the story is the same wherever our settler ancestors put down roots on land already occupied.
Dianne O'Brien was part of Australia's Stolen Generation. Her story is all too familiar because indigenous children have repeatedly been taken from birth parents and placed with families where they are expected to lose their indigeneity. In O'Brien's case she had the good fortune to have a loving Irish mother, but her happy family devolved into a horror show when the mother died.
Years of domestic abuse, betrayals, and addictions followed, but the bright flame inside her was never extinguished. That she became an inspiring leader, working on behalf of her people, is nothing short of a miracle. Her story is an important one to read and remember.
Dianne O'Brien was part of Australia's Stolen Generation. Her story is all too familiar because indigenous children have repeatedly been taken from birth parents and placed with families where they are expected to lose their indigeneity. In O'Brien's case she had the good fortune to have a loving Irish mother, but her happy family devolved into a horror show when the mother died.
Years of domestic abuse, betrayals, and addictions followed, but the bright flame inside her was never extinguished. That she became an inspiring leader, working on behalf of her people, is nothing short of a miracle. Her story is an important one to read and remember.
December 2, 2021
The miraculous story of a victim of the stolen generation who survived against all odds and continues to work to help others. Heartbreakingly it highlights so many times Australian governments and society have failed our most vulnerable citizens.
September 17, 2021
Touched my heart, amazing tolerance and fortitude, however nothing could take this ladies heart, her pride, love for her family and others. To overcome the abuse, from those she loved and the system, that would have destroyed others, is to be admired and respected
September 10, 2023
This story was written so beautifully and easy to follow. It is my first book I’ve read about the silted generation and found it so eye opening. The story was so incredible to listen to about the perspective and hardships that one woman faced. Will be my first of many books to read on this topic!
July 4, 2021
A wonderful insight to the history of the Stolen generation and one woman’s fight to find her origins and become the person wanted to be. Highly recommend
July 24, 2021
A great read
I read this book in four days and was amazed at the spirit and positive attitude that shines through when the story could so easily have ended differently
I read this book in four days and was amazed at the spirit and positive attitude that shines through when the story could so easily have ended differently
July 25, 2021
Dianne O'Brien is an inspirational woman who has managed to survive some incredibly tough experiences.
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August 11, 2021This review was first published on the Underground Writers website: http://underground-writers.org/review...
Trigger warning: contains mention of sexual and physical abuse.
Daughter of the River Country traces O’Brien’s life. It begins with her childhood memories of her adoptive Irish mother Val, who O’Brien believed was her birth mother. When Val dies suddenly, O’Brien is abandoned by her adoptive father and a series of heart-wrenching events are triggered. Though O’Brien always knew she was different to other children, she believed her darker skin was due to Italian, Irish, or African-American ancestry. It is only when she is 36 with six children of her own that O’Brien finds out she is Aboriginal. O’Brien is a victim of the Stolen Generations and was removed from her mother at birth.
Dianne O’Brien is now the Chairperson of Mingaletta Corporation, an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community hub. Throughout her career she has held several senior positions in government; inspired many through her work as a drug and alcohol counsellor; and was elected “NSW grandparent of the year” in 2017. Daughter of the River Country details how O’Brien was able to achieve such accomplishments despite a traumatic childhood.
Condensing a lifetime as tumultuous and eventful as O’Brien’s into a novel is no small feat. After brief reflection on some rosy memories of childhood, this memoir quickly reaches full steam before hurtling to a finish. Its intensity is amplified by the fact that these are real events. As a result, the story-telling style is concise and does not linger too much on unimportant details. O’Brien does explore her feelings, but not in great depth, and I sometimes found her pragmatism in the face of unfortunate circumstances to be quite jarring. For example, she recounts being hit by her partner: “And he turned and whacked me across the face. The doctors called the police…Domestic violence, back then, was just an accepted part of a woman’s lot.” Upon reflection, I suppose this speaks to O’Brien’s innate strength – in these instances there was not time for her to explore her hurt and anger, she needed to be strong to protect her children.
Though it can be difficult to read the abuse and violence described in this memoir, the reader is never left to dwell on it for too long. Partly because of the pragmatic tone of O’Brien’s voice and because she overcomes every difficulty sent her way. She takes every vice or act of cruelty against her and turns it into a positive for others, for example taking her own experience of abusing alcohol and later becoming a drug and alcohol counsellor.
I was incredibly inspired by the continual strength and love for others expressed by O’Brien, even at the lowest points of her life. O’Brien gains her strength from family. Whether it is her adoptive mother, her children, or her biological sisters – her love for them is immensely clear. It was this love that propelled me through the reading.
For readers that enjoy memoirs, learning about Aboriginal history, or first-person accounts involving overcoming adversity, Daughter of the River Country is the perfect book for you. The story-telling style makes it quick to read and the inspiring content makes every minute worth it. As the book’s subtitle says, it is truly a “memoir of hope and survival”.
Trigger warning: contains mention of sexual and physical abuse.
Daughter of the River Country traces O’Brien’s life. It begins with her childhood memories of her adoptive Irish mother Val, who O’Brien believed was her birth mother. When Val dies suddenly, O’Brien is abandoned by her adoptive father and a series of heart-wrenching events are triggered. Though O’Brien always knew she was different to other children, she believed her darker skin was due to Italian, Irish, or African-American ancestry. It is only when she is 36 with six children of her own that O’Brien finds out she is Aboriginal. O’Brien is a victim of the Stolen Generations and was removed from her mother at birth.
Dianne O’Brien is now the Chairperson of Mingaletta Corporation, an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community hub. Throughout her career she has held several senior positions in government; inspired many through her work as a drug and alcohol counsellor; and was elected “NSW grandparent of the year” in 2017. Daughter of the River Country details how O’Brien was able to achieve such accomplishments despite a traumatic childhood.
Condensing a lifetime as tumultuous and eventful as O’Brien’s into a novel is no small feat. After brief reflection on some rosy memories of childhood, this memoir quickly reaches full steam before hurtling to a finish. Its intensity is amplified by the fact that these are real events. As a result, the story-telling style is concise and does not linger too much on unimportant details. O’Brien does explore her feelings, but not in great depth, and I sometimes found her pragmatism in the face of unfortunate circumstances to be quite jarring. For example, she recounts being hit by her partner: “And he turned and whacked me across the face. The doctors called the police…Domestic violence, back then, was just an accepted part of a woman’s lot.” Upon reflection, I suppose this speaks to O’Brien’s innate strength – in these instances there was not time for her to explore her hurt and anger, she needed to be strong to protect her children.
Though it can be difficult to read the abuse and violence described in this memoir, the reader is never left to dwell on it for too long. Partly because of the pragmatic tone of O’Brien’s voice and because she overcomes every difficulty sent her way. She takes every vice or act of cruelty against her and turns it into a positive for others, for example taking her own experience of abusing alcohol and later becoming a drug and alcohol counsellor.
I was incredibly inspired by the continual strength and love for others expressed by O’Brien, even at the lowest points of her life. O’Brien gains her strength from family. Whether it is her adoptive mother, her children, or her biological sisters – her love for them is immensely clear. It was this love that propelled me through the reading.
For readers that enjoy memoirs, learning about Aboriginal history, or first-person accounts involving overcoming adversity, Daughter of the River Country is the perfect book for you. The story-telling style makes it quick to read and the inspiring content makes every minute worth it. As the book’s subtitle says, it is truly a “memoir of hope and survival”.
July 22, 2021
“Daughter of the River Country” is the memoir of a proud Yorta Yorta woman. It’s a fascinating and frequently sad accounting of a life blighted by domestic violence, bureaucratic cruelty, and discrimination.
This is a memoir rather than an autobiography; it lacks the level of detail and comprehensiveness that I’d expect from an autobiography. Even so, it gives the reader a good sense of O’Brien’s life and times. In particular, this memoir will make you look uncomfortably at government policies around both Indigenous people and young women. The discrimination will make you flinch; the appalling treatment is shameful. It personalises history; it brings home the dreadful things that have been done within the lifetime of living people.
This is not an overly emotive book; in fact, at times it feels almost dry, O’Brien’s recounting of horrific events is so matter of fact. I think this works to its’ overall benefit, however. If there was too much emotion around some of those events, this would be little more than a piece of misery lit. The matter of factness comes from perspective, from looking back over the years. It doesn’t diminish the horror, but makes it possible for the reader to look at these events head on.
That matter of fact tone, a tendency to almost understate things, applies equally to the good things in O’Brien’s life. In particular, her achievements in adult life are something to boast about – but O’Brien doesn’t embroider them any more than she does her negative experiences.
This is written in a simple, easy reading style that makes the challenges O’Brien faced easy for the reader to digest. This is no heavy tome, although there’s a great deal of depth to the issues raised.
This is a personal story that shines a strong light on domestic violence, and on government policies that disadvantaged and damaged both Indigenous people and young women. It’s moving and capable of inspiring shame and anger. It also leaves you in awe of O’Brien – she has achieved things anyone could be proud of, and it’s breath-taking that she could achieve them in the face of the obstacles in her path.
This is the story of an Indigenous woman who deserves to be celebrated.
If you enjoyed this review, please visit www.otherdreamsotherlives.home.blog to read more.
This is a memoir rather than an autobiography; it lacks the level of detail and comprehensiveness that I’d expect from an autobiography. Even so, it gives the reader a good sense of O’Brien’s life and times. In particular, this memoir will make you look uncomfortably at government policies around both Indigenous people and young women. The discrimination will make you flinch; the appalling treatment is shameful. It personalises history; it brings home the dreadful things that have been done within the lifetime of living people.
This is not an overly emotive book; in fact, at times it feels almost dry, O’Brien’s recounting of horrific events is so matter of fact. I think this works to its’ overall benefit, however. If there was too much emotion around some of those events, this would be little more than a piece of misery lit. The matter of factness comes from perspective, from looking back over the years. It doesn’t diminish the horror, but makes it possible for the reader to look at these events head on.
That matter of fact tone, a tendency to almost understate things, applies equally to the good things in O’Brien’s life. In particular, her achievements in adult life are something to boast about – but O’Brien doesn’t embroider them any more than she does her negative experiences.
This is written in a simple, easy reading style that makes the challenges O’Brien faced easy for the reader to digest. This is no heavy tome, although there’s a great deal of depth to the issues raised.
This is a personal story that shines a strong light on domestic violence, and on government policies that disadvantaged and damaged both Indigenous people and young women. It’s moving and capable of inspiring shame and anger. It also leaves you in awe of O’Brien – she has achieved things anyone could be proud of, and it’s breath-taking that she could achieve them in the face of the obstacles in her path.
This is the story of an Indigenous woman who deserves to be celebrated.
If you enjoyed this review, please visit www.otherdreamsotherlives.home.blog to read more.
September 29, 2021
5 stars
🚨Trigger warnings: stolen generation, domestic violence, rape, violence, alcohol abuse and suicide 🚨
“I was lucky I had an adoptive mum who cared deeply for me, but when she died, everything fell apart. An adoptive dad who hates his child can do incredible damage.” Pg 220.
There is no better way than I could some up Daughter of the River Country, the memoir of Yorta Yorta woman Dianne O’Brien; than with this huge understatement from her, so I’m not even going to try.
O’Brien has lived a life that most people couldn’t fathom, let alone wrap their heads around. Part of the Stolen Generation, a survivor of horrific foster, institutional, domestic and sexual abuse; it’s amazing she can still function. Yet if the word ‘resilient’ was ever to be used to describe someone; it’s O’Brien; for this is a woman that despite all the odds had achieved amazing things for herself, her family, her community and humanity generally.
Be aware that this is a raw, warts and all, emotional and unflinching read. It’s disquieting and not for the faint hearted; with a multitude of trigger warnings (that should be better articulated than by the mere references in the blurb). O’Brien’s trauma is real and it is not sugar coated for your comfort. For me though, it’s the conflicting emotions that the writing of O’Brien; with the help of Sue Williams; invokes where this powerful book comes into its own. For all the trauma, heart ache and misery; there is also hope, joy and achievement, all of which is told in such a hauntingly beautiful manner that you will be unable to put it down and instead, stay up well into the night wanting to know more.
Daughter of the River Country is a book that will quite rightly take you through a range of emotions. It is without doubt one of the most fierce and intense memoirs I’ve ever read and I can certainly understand why O’Brien says that it’s taken her a long time to write. I cannot imagine having to relive her life, but I’m so glad she did; for this is a story that needs to be told, acknowledged and learnt from. This highly recommended new release is more than a five star read, it’s a must read for every Australian.
To play along with my book bingo and to see what else I’m reading, go to #ktbookbingo and @kt_elder on Instagram.
🚨Trigger warnings: stolen generation, domestic violence, rape, violence, alcohol abuse and suicide 🚨
“I was lucky I had an adoptive mum who cared deeply for me, but when she died, everything fell apart. An adoptive dad who hates his child can do incredible damage.” Pg 220.
There is no better way than I could some up Daughter of the River Country, the memoir of Yorta Yorta woman Dianne O’Brien; than with this huge understatement from her, so I’m not even going to try.
O’Brien has lived a life that most people couldn’t fathom, let alone wrap their heads around. Part of the Stolen Generation, a survivor of horrific foster, institutional, domestic and sexual abuse; it’s amazing she can still function. Yet if the word ‘resilient’ was ever to be used to describe someone; it’s O’Brien; for this is a woman that despite all the odds had achieved amazing things for herself, her family, her community and humanity generally.
Be aware that this is a raw, warts and all, emotional and unflinching read. It’s disquieting and not for the faint hearted; with a multitude of trigger warnings (that should be better articulated than by the mere references in the blurb). O’Brien’s trauma is real and it is not sugar coated for your comfort. For me though, it’s the conflicting emotions that the writing of O’Brien; with the help of Sue Williams; invokes where this powerful book comes into its own. For all the trauma, heart ache and misery; there is also hope, joy and achievement, all of which is told in such a hauntingly beautiful manner that you will be unable to put it down and instead, stay up well into the night wanting to know more.
Daughter of the River Country is a book that will quite rightly take you through a range of emotions. It is without doubt one of the most fierce and intense memoirs I’ve ever read and I can certainly understand why O’Brien says that it’s taken her a long time to write. I cannot imagine having to relive her life, but I’m so glad she did; for this is a story that needs to be told, acknowledged and learnt from. This highly recommended new release is more than a five star read, it’s a must read for every Australian.
To play along with my book bingo and to see what else I’m reading, go to #ktbookbingo and @kt_elder on Instagram.
March 11, 2023
A remarkable story of resilience and optimism.
I loved this book. What a story of life and determination. Her childhood sounded so like mine. Six O’clock rock, bandstand, loving Elvis movies. Then the death of her wonderful adoptive mum changed her life, and suddenly she was all about survival at the age of 14. Dianne fell through the cracks of society and ended up in Parramatta Girls' Home. At 15, she refuses to give up her newborn baby Debbie. Faced with an impossible choice, she keeps Debbie and marries a monster. Throughout her life, she found herself in abusive relationships and yet celebrated and protected the birth of her subsequent five children. In parts, this story makes for challenging reading, and Dianne does not sugarcoat the abuse suffered at her partners' hands. Auntie Di sure knew how to pick the most unpleasant manipulative men. But then, what choice did she have in the mid-century? Police would not deal with domestic abuse. There was little or no welfare for single mothers. So she got on with living loving and raising her six kids and protecting her kids from abuse while she suffered so much.
All this time, she had no idea she was part of the stolen generation and believed herself to be of Italian/Irish descent. Dianne never stopped focusing on finding a stable, safe environment for her kids. This story is an empowering read in the year where we will hopefully vote for Voice to Parliament and recognition of our indigenous citizens in the Constitution. Best of all, through all these horrific years, a woman developed into a strong natural leader and advocate for vulnerable people. Everyone who chooses to read it will enjoy and delight that the good old days are long gone. Thank the gods, women now have the power to be financially independent and not forced to marry for a roof and food.
I loved this book. What a story of life and determination. Her childhood sounded so like mine. Six O’clock rock, bandstand, loving Elvis movies. Then the death of her wonderful adoptive mum changed her life, and suddenly she was all about survival at the age of 14. Dianne fell through the cracks of society and ended up in Parramatta Girls' Home. At 15, she refuses to give up her newborn baby Debbie. Faced with an impossible choice, she keeps Debbie and marries a monster. Throughout her life, she found herself in abusive relationships and yet celebrated and protected the birth of her subsequent five children. In parts, this story makes for challenging reading, and Dianne does not sugarcoat the abuse suffered at her partners' hands. Auntie Di sure knew how to pick the most unpleasant manipulative men. But then, what choice did she have in the mid-century? Police would not deal with domestic abuse. There was little or no welfare for single mothers. So she got on with living loving and raising her six kids and protecting her kids from abuse while she suffered so much.
All this time, she had no idea she was part of the stolen generation and believed herself to be of Italian/Irish descent. Dianne never stopped focusing on finding a stable, safe environment for her kids. This story is an empowering read in the year where we will hopefully vote for Voice to Parliament and recognition of our indigenous citizens in the Constitution. Best of all, through all these horrific years, a woman developed into a strong natural leader and advocate for vulnerable people. Everyone who chooses to read it will enjoy and delight that the good old days are long gone. Thank the gods, women now have the power to be financially independent and not forced to marry for a roof and food.
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