CryBaby

by Mabel Gibson

CryBaby is a profoundly moving collection of 56 short memoirs. The collection explores themes and issues of mental health, identity, love, loss and girlhood from the point of view of a relatable young Indigenous woman and charts Mabel’s life from age 2 to her current age of 25. The stories are set in Albany, Perth and Geraldton. The collection will leave you breathless and in awe of this exciting new talent in Australian writing.

112 pages, Paperback

Published February 1, 2025

Reviews

[ellie]

tender & heartfelt !!

[Saskia]

- was so nice to read in one sitting
- rlly enjoyed the gravity and space ‘small’ things were given
—> found that very affirming; of course you should write a book of micro memoir with stories like this in it
- weird being basically the same age as the author and having similar experiences in some regards (at the same uni at the same time, I’ve visited all the places she has lived, we’ve been at similar if not the same gigs before… etc)
- going to be making other people read this watch out hehe

[Jordan]

REAL, vulnerable and beautiful - we’re all crybabies deep down

[Mia Thompson]

so beautiful to read. devoured in one sitting at a beach in Albany as a girl from Geraldton. Cried and smiled

beautiful collection of micro memoirs. feels like a book that I could read again and again and appreciate it every time

[Jess Checkland]

From the moment you open CryBaby, Mabel Gibson’s words strike like lightning. ‘I was born a human storm,’ she begins, setting the tone for a collection that is as fierce and unflinching as it is deeply introspective. These micro-memoirs, spanning from childhood to early adulthood, invite readers into the raw and tender moments that have shaped her life as a young Yamatji woman.

Gibson’s reflections on growing up as a First Nations child weave throughout the collection with a quiet yet undeniable force. She acknowledges early on that ‘I now realise that no matter what subject I wrote about, it does not take away the fact it is First Nations writing.’ This statement encapsulates the powerful truth of her work; her identity is inseparable from her storytelling, and every piece is grounded in the experience of being First Nations in Australia.

At its heart, CryBaby is a deeply personal reckoning with family, grief, and the inherited pain of the Stolen Generations. The weight of history lingers in her stories, showing how trauma shapes lives in ways both visible and unseen. Yet, alongside this deep-seated sorrow, Gibson offers moments of joy and light ­with tender reflections on girlhood, outfit coordination, and the universal teenage battle against unruly curls. These moments of levity provide balance, making the heavier themes even more powerful.

Mental health plays a critical role in the collection, with Gibson writing candidly about her struggles with depression at key stages of her development. The honesty in her storytelling creates a sense of intimacy, allowing readers to step inside her world, to feel the weight of her emotions, and to witness her resilience.

Gibson’s prose is lyrical, fragmented, and deeply evocative. The landscapes of Western Australia form a rich backdrop, grounding her experiences in place and history, further reinforcing the depth of her storytelling.

Gibson’s voice is bold, honest, and necessary and her words are a gift to readers seeking truth, connection, and an unfiltered look into the complexities of identity and growing up.
 

[Georgia Gribble]

I am in awe of this micro memoir.

It was so so validating and felt so strange reliving some of the feelings as a teenager.
It’s also so interesting how we live such different lives and yet we are often going through such similar things and able to relate to that in such a way.

I’ve not had THIS much relatability in a long time and I felt very seen and heard reading this book ❤️

[birchie]

mabel, if we had lived on the same side of the river, we would’ve been friends:)

[Jaidyn Attard]

A candid tale of reflective vignettes from the life of one young girl growing up in WA, seamlessly moving from childhood to mid-20s. Short, sharp and sweet. Brazenly direct and filled with beautiful imagery. 10/10 recommend

We never truly leave our crybaby days behind.

[SarahL]

Such a clever way to write a memoir!
I read it cover to cover, couldn’t put it down.
Honest, real, heartfelt.
Brave writing Mabel, thankyou!

[Kirsten]

Made me cry on the plane home

[Elizabeth]

Honest and true and great!

[Josh Radwell]

This is proof that less is more. In such a slim volume, Gibson says so much. It's raw and honest, full of pain and regret, but it moves into healing territory and becomes a gentle, beautiful reminder to remain truthful to yourself. By the end I felt like I really knew Mabel, which is exactly what you want from a memoir. Thank you for sharing these pieces of yourself with us, Mabel. In short: a vital piece of writing that should be on your radar.

[emily faye]

A dreamy recollection of life from ages two to twenty-five, Crybaby by Mabel Gibson had me deep in my feelings, clinging to every last word. In this tender and poignant 95-page micro-memoir, Mabel—a young Yamatji woman—shares her stories of girlhood, grief, identity, and coming of age.

The essence of her storytelling lingers long after each page. Her reflections on loss, mental health, and the complexities of growing up as a First Nations woman are deeply moving—her identity and connection to Country woven into every part of her being. I admired the way she laid bare her experiences with such honesty, her words both intimate and powerful.

Being the same age as Mabel and so fortunate to live here on Whadjuk Noongar Boodjar, I found her reflections on growing up in our generation deeply relatable, nostalgic, and enlightening. At the same time, her perspective as a First Nations woman offered a window into experiences both deeply personal and profoundly eye-opening.

This is a book I know I’ll return to—whether in small, savored moments or to devour in one sitting. As a proud self-proclaimed crybaby, I can say with certainty that all crybabies will love and cherish this book for years to come. I can’t wait to see what Mabel writes next. 💗

[Madeline Doncon]

Maybe it’s okay for me to be a crybaby.

[Catherine J. Fisher]

The first time I’ve read a book that reflected my experiences with such likeness.

I grew up in WA in the early 2000s & frequently visited Albany to visit my Grandmother. This was like looking through the scrapbooks my Mum made if I had written stories to accompany the pictures.

I’ve always been a Crybaby & this book made me feel way less alone. Love you & your beautiful book Mabel, can’t wait for the next one <3

[Sarah]

I started crying during the introduction, so I knew this book was for me. Childhood, family, girlhood, grief, depression, loss, friendship, love, resilience. I adored this. I can’t wait to read it again and again. “Because even though I never died, the depression killed who I was”

[Greta]

I picked up this book and finished it within the day - so heartfelt and raw. The stories felt familiar and filled with nostalgia and authenticity.

[shannon]

best book i read in 2025 hands down

[Anna]

Very very good

[Joe Cook]

A brilliant, heartfelt collection. Mabel is such a talent and I can’t wait to read what she does next!

[Stella Morgan]

i loved this

[A JP]

Deeply personal, emotional and relatable. Much love from a fellow Perth/Albany twenty-something.

[Linda Martin]

Unique, honest, moving, incredible!

[Blanche]

a beautiful memoir on the reflections from childhood. i felt incredibly touched by how personal each fragment was - and the pictures really heightened this. very brave to spill your heart out, and to do so in such a creatively fulfilling way. so inspired. 🩷

[Fionna Cosgrove]

💕 CRYBABY 💕 by @mabellgibson, published by @night_parrot_press
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I wouldn't classify myself as a memoir girl. Though I've read a handful in my time it's not my go-to, however while attending a Flash and Chips workshop with Night Parrot Press, Mabel read out one of her stories and I immediately knew I was going to buy her book. There was something about the simplicity of her words and the emotional punch they carried. There were no tricks or pretence, no ego or intent, it was just a moment in time captured in a series of delicate and evocative words. The chips were also delicious.
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I read this memoir in one night, potentially devoured it within the hour. It was effortlessly easy to read, with such deceivingly simple prose that it somehow glided down weightlessly despite the, at times, emotionally heavy content.
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At my nine year old daughters request, I took her to the launch (after she heard there would be cake) and had wondered how she might go, sitting in the audience of mostly adults, without any flashy games or entertainment that you might normally find at a (kids) book launch. But as it turns out, I needn't have worried, as she, much like me, were immediately enamoured with Mabel.
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I think at times, there's a certain amount of performing that goes on at events like these and whilst that can sometimes be a requirement for certain situations, or at times particularly entertaining and enjoyable, there's also a warmth and connection that happens when people... are just being people.
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Mabel's stories are grounded in growing up as a First Nation's woman and feature the West Australian landscape as a character in and of itself. It's a stunning collection of flash fiction that I found moving, immersive and relatable.

[Linda Martin]

I had the honour of working as development editor on this collection of micro memoir, so I am biased, but I promise you this is an honest review. ‘CryBaby’ is a unique work that focusses on 56 micro moments in Mabel Gibson’s life, to tell her story as an innocent (crybaby) child, growing into a young Yamatji woman who explores and grapples with identity, culture, love, loss, mental health, and other issues that affect many young people. Mabel’s voice is strong and her writing style is original and authentic. In as much as there is pain and sadness in this collection, there is also incredible beauty and hope. Each moment stands alone as a single story but, when combined, the stories chart Mabel’s growth in a way that is deeply moving and profound. Mabel is a stunning writer who understands how to distil big events and feelings into small crystal-clear moments. She has an extraordinary grasp of language and uses this to speak directly to the reader, sharing with them her most vulnerable memories. This is a brave and beautiful collection of micro memoir that will move readers of every age. Congratulations on this stunning collection, Mabel.

[Amy apple]

1.25
The book began with promise, and I expected a deeply emotional and thought-provoking read. Unfortunately, it never lived up to that potential. Despite the subject matter, I found myself consistently unmoved and increasingly disengaged.

I had hoped for something profound and resonant, but the narrative felt flat and emotionally distant. While the writing is clear and simple, it lacks distinction or depth. For a memoir—particularly one rooted in personal experience—I expected greater insight and emotional impact.

This was my first time reading a micro-memoir, and perhaps the format simply doesn’t suit me. That said, structure alone doesn’t account for my experience. I struggled to connect with the author’s voice, perspective, or feelings at any point, which made the book difficult to invest in.

Given the high praise it has received, I can only assume it resonates strongly with some readers. For me, however, it fell far short of expectations and left little lasting impression.

[Issy]

just twist the knife deeper!!!!

“we were once girls in the basement of her house turning ourselves into older women with layers of makeup. And we were once girls sitting on the bank of my high school tanning our legs and competing for the love that meant nothing. And now we are girls arms‘s touching on a plane, pretending we don’t know each other. Pretending we never hurt each other. Pretending we never loved each other”.

“She reminds me of the life that I missed because I was too sad to live it. and I feel betrayed all over again just hearing names of the girls I had loved but couldn’t understand. and I feel the grief that they may have felt when I wasn’t myself anymore”

“But death makes you wish that you know someone. You hold onto their drawings, their music, their writing. Death can define a whole life. Some people you love them because you know they will die. Other people you loved them because they are dead”

[Michelle]

I read this book very quickly, in one sitting. But I feel like it’s one that I will want to revisit and take more time to savour. I loved the short and sometimes very short story format. Somehow these little episodes still manage to create a beautifully full picture. It is a very impressive reflection for someone so young. I do wonder if there is something missing, something a bit deeper. But the author has a lifetime to continue this journey and I look forward to reading more from her. I particularly enjoyed reading snippets from places I was familiar, specifically in and around Albany and Perth. The author dropped little clues of particular landmarks that drew me in. This book felt brave and has inspired me to want to write again.

[Bronwen Griffiths]

I ordered this book from Australia all the way to England on a recommendation. This is a memoir from a Yamatji author (a traditional Aboriginal region in an area of Western Australia) written as a series of micro stories. Each story can be read on its own merit but as a whole the memoir tells the story of Gibson's time growing up in Perth and Albany. Her experiences, both as a girl and as an Aboriginal woman, and her mental health problems, are told with unfailing honesty.