What do you think?
Rate this book
Wildcat Falling
This was the first novel by a writer of Aboriginal blood to be published in Australia and in 1965 marked a unique literary event.
Wild Cat Falling is the story of an Australia Aboriginal youth who grows up on the ragged outskirts of a country town. He falls into petty crime, goes to gaol and comes out to do battle once more with the society that put him there.
Mudrooroo is active in Aboriginal cultural affairs and is a prolific writer.
Wild Cat Falling is the story of an Australia Aboriginal youth who grows up on the ragged outskirts of a country town. He falls into petty crime, goes to gaol and comes out to do battle once more with the society that put him there.
Mudrooroo is active in Aboriginal cultural affairs and is a prolific writer.
81 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1965
11 people are currently reading
275 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
May 4, 2022
A rebel-without-a-cause tale from a young man in 60s Western Australia, this is filled with all the posturing, misogyny and self-hatred that might be expected, plus some extra complications from the part-Aboriginal narrator's position on the edge of white Australian society. He doesn't really fit in; ‘But then,’ as he says,
The story, of a youth drifting in and out of crime and in and out of jail, bears some similarity with the author's biography, though he later said that it isn't really him – just a version of what he might have become. This was Mudrooroo's first novel, and the first novel printed by any Aboriginal author; when it came out in the mid-60s Aboriginals were not considered Australian citizens and could not vote.
The country's main policy was one of ‘assimilation’. What this meant in practice is shown to some extent in the novel, where laws are designed expressly to be broken by black Australians, who are characterised as ‘Fly-blown descendants of the dispossessed erupting their hopelessness in petty crime.’
Mudrooroo was an interesting character – later, in the 1990s, his own ‘Aboriginality’ would be called into question by genealogical researchers. Certainly he was dark-skinned enough to be treated as one when he grew up, but the controversy must have upset him since he buggered off to live in exile in Nepal for fifteen years. This early work has plenty of the infelicities of a young author finding his voice, but if you find it interesting, as I did, these quirks all become part of its moody, ‘bodgie’ appeal.
I suppose I'm not what they call Australian. I'm just an odd species of native fauna cross-bred with the migrant flotsam of a goldfield.
The story, of a youth drifting in and out of crime and in and out of jail, bears some similarity with the author's biography, though he later said that it isn't really him – just a version of what he might have become. This was Mudrooroo's first novel, and the first novel printed by any Aboriginal author; when it came out in the mid-60s Aboriginals were not considered Australian citizens and could not vote.
The country's main policy was one of ‘assimilation’. What this meant in practice is shown to some extent in the novel, where laws are designed expressly to be broken by black Australians, who are characterised as ‘Fly-blown descendants of the dispossessed erupting their hopelessness in petty crime.’
Mudrooroo was an interesting character – later, in the 1990s, his own ‘Aboriginality’ would be called into question by genealogical researchers. Certainly he was dark-skinned enough to be treated as one when he grew up, but the controversy must have upset him since he buggered off to live in exile in Nepal for fifteen years. This early work has plenty of the infelicities of a young author finding his voice, but if you find it interesting, as I did, these quirks all become part of its moody, ‘bodgie’ appeal.
February 16, 2013
First of all I'm going to check my white, male privilege at the door on this book. I *wanted* so much to love this book, considering its history etc. And the issues it raises, considering the time it was written, are sadly still pertinent to both Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians - a sad indictment of the position the original custodians of our land are still relegated to by their colonial invaders. However, the rampant misogyny exhibited by the main character is not just a flaw but a travesty. I think I understand the intent - but scenes like the one on page 59 ("I have to sleep with her - oh damn....I pull off her clothes and take her violently , like it was rape. Hate her. Hate her. Love Her.") fill me with disgust and I can't get past it. The later referral to her as a 'careless slut' is also infuriating. I guess this is a good sign that some issues do change, however slowly? I don't like it.
I look forward with interest to the upcoming semester at U Syd (Australian Literature: Revolutionary Writing) to see whether my position changes on this text.
I look forward with interest to the upcoming semester at U Syd (Australian Literature: Revolutionary Writing) to see whether my position changes on this text.
April 16, 2017
Written in 1965, apparently this is the first novel from the Aboriginal community published in Australia. I have come to it as an amazing audio book narrated by the author. The blurb says " it is quite a remarkable piece of literature in its own right expressing the dilemmas and conflicts of the young Aboriginal in today's Australian society with its memorable insight and stylishness"
Wild Cat Falling is the story of a young Aboriginal youth in the 1960s, a bodgie, growing up on the outskirts of a country town, falls into petty crime at a young age and travels from "boys home" to prison and reoffending.
This is one of those books I hope, against hope, that every Australian reads and reflects on. The main character is an obviously very intelligent young guy who has read widely while in jail and on the outside can hold his own in conversations with the young and slightly pretentious intellectuals at university he comes into contact with during a time on the outside. It is a pretty powerful combination to see intellect combined with lived experience.
Each reflection on his childhood and life circumstances, each twist and turn that results from choices, or almost reflex reactions to society should make each reader reflect on their own attitudes to others who are different or who, if they are honest, those they consider "less than or less right" than themselves. It will challenge each charitable impulse you have had, each thought of "helping those less fortunate". Well I hope it will challenge your thinking.
Wild Cat Falling is the story of a young Aboriginal youth in the 1960s, a bodgie, growing up on the outskirts of a country town, falls into petty crime at a young age and travels from "boys home" to prison and reoffending.
This is one of those books I hope, against hope, that every Australian reads and reflects on. The main character is an obviously very intelligent young guy who has read widely while in jail and on the outside can hold his own in conversations with the young and slightly pretentious intellectuals at university he comes into contact with during a time on the outside. It is a pretty powerful combination to see intellect combined with lived experience.
Each reflection on his childhood and life circumstances, each twist and turn that results from choices, or almost reflex reactions to society should make each reader reflect on their own attitudes to others who are different or who, if they are honest, those they consider "less than or less right" than themselves. It will challenge each charitable impulse you have had, each thought of "helping those less fortunate". Well I hope it will challenge your thinking.
July 17, 2020
Wild Cat Falling by Mudrooroo was a novel I picked up in an effort to decolonize my bookshelf. I didn't know anything about the author at the time, and assumed from the nom de plume that it was written by an Indigenous man. The book claimed this was the first Indigenous text to be published in Australia.
I fell in love with the writing style quickly, slurping up the prose and feeling like I was making myself home in the author's mind. I felt a connection to the narrators perspective, at the same time as imagining how his actions would be judged and rejected by those around him. I recommended this book to several friends, saying it was a wonderful exploration of the life of an intelligent, disillusioned young man who struggled against assimilation in a racist Australia.
I wanted to learn more about Mudrooroo, to find out if the story was autobiographical. I had trouble imaging it as a work of fiction, as the persona was so intensely realised with caustic internal dialogue, that I had to google the author to find out what happiness or success he met with after Wild Cat Falling.
It was disappointing to learn that this book is a complete and utter work of fiction. Colin Johnson, who styled himself both Mudrooroo Narogin and Mudrooroo Nyoongah, was rejected by the people of Nyoongah as a fraud. On 27 July 1996 the Nyoongah elders released a public statement: "The Kickett family rejects Colin Johnson's claim to his Aboriginality and any kinship ties to the family". Wild Cat Falling was not the first Indigenous text ever to be published in Australia, even if Colin Johnson claimed he understood the Indigenous experience, "stating that his dark skin meant he was always treated as Aboriginal by society, therefore his life experience was that of an Aborigine" (according to Wikipedia).
Whilst that information leaves a bad taste in my mouth, I cannot deny the Wild Cat Falling is an amazing text. Whether you should read it or not, I leave up to you.
I fell in love with the writing style quickly, slurping up the prose and feeling like I was making myself home in the author's mind. I felt a connection to the narrators perspective, at the same time as imagining how his actions would be judged and rejected by those around him. I recommended this book to several friends, saying it was a wonderful exploration of the life of an intelligent, disillusioned young man who struggled against assimilation in a racist Australia.
I wanted to learn more about Mudrooroo, to find out if the story was autobiographical. I had trouble imaging it as a work of fiction, as the persona was so intensely realised with caustic internal dialogue, that I had to google the author to find out what happiness or success he met with after Wild Cat Falling.
It was disappointing to learn that this book is a complete and utter work of fiction. Colin Johnson, who styled himself both Mudrooroo Narogin and Mudrooroo Nyoongah, was rejected by the people of Nyoongah as a fraud. On 27 July 1996 the Nyoongah elders released a public statement: "The Kickett family rejects Colin Johnson's claim to his Aboriginality and any kinship ties to the family". Wild Cat Falling was not the first Indigenous text ever to be published in Australia, even if Colin Johnson claimed he understood the Indigenous experience, "stating that his dark skin meant he was always treated as Aboriginal by society, therefore his life experience was that of an Aborigine" (according to Wikipedia).
Whilst that information leaves a bad taste in my mouth, I cannot deny the Wild Cat Falling is an amazing text. Whether you should read it or not, I leave up to you.
July 11, 2009
this is one of the first books written in Aboriginal literature by an Aborigine. It tells the story of an unnamed narrator who has just been released from jail. It shows the hopelessness of his situation and his place in society. I read it first in my Aboriginal Lit class and again about a week ago and it touches me every time.
September 9, 2023
Aviso de contenido: consumo de sustancias, racismo.
Cuando me cruzo con este tipo de libros me reafirmo en la costumbre que tomé de no leer sinopsis, al no conocer de qué iba la historia me sorprendí al leerla.
Tenemos un narrador protagonista que nos habla de las vicisitudes de su vida en Australia, creo que era en Perth🤔 bastante dramaticas a mi perecer, desde la infancia.
La historia de este hombre joven es realista y relaciona distintos temas tomando como base su origen racial.
Al final de esta edición hay un texto donde el autor nos habla de su vida y da a entender que esos aspectos base de su personaje son autobiográficos.
Para cerrar puedo decir que la prosa del autor es muy fácil de leer y aunque usa algunos términos propios de su país, se entiende muy bien a qué hacen referencia.
Pendiente desde: enero 2022.
Cuando me cruzo con este tipo de libros me reafirmo en la costumbre que tomé de no leer sinopsis, al no conocer de qué iba la historia me sorprendí al leerla.
Tenemos un narrador protagonista que nos habla de las vicisitudes de su vida en Australia, creo que era en Perth🤔 bastante dramaticas a mi perecer, desde la infancia.
La historia de este hombre joven es realista y relaciona distintos temas tomando como base su origen racial.
Al final de esta edición hay un texto donde el autor nos habla de su vida y da a entender que esos aspectos base de su personaje son autobiográficos.
Para cerrar puedo decir que la prosa del autor es muy fácil de leer y aunque usa algunos términos propios de su país, se entiende muy bien a qué hacen referencia.
Pendiente desde: enero 2022.
March 1, 2021
Colin Johnson wrote the first novel ever published by an Indigenous Australian in 1965, "Wild Cat Falling." Colin Johnson, who later used his Aboriginal name, Mudrooroo Narogin, opens the book with his characters' release from Fremantle Jail, hoping to lead a better life, but drawn to his old crowd. The narrator is a nameless man, "The youth," who is of mixed Aboriginal and European descent. Upon his release at 16 years of age, he loses his job and lodgings in Perth, and lives for a while with his mob camping rough outside of town. He is drawn back to his circle of petty crim friends at the milkbar, and by 17 is back in jail. This book shines a light on the conditions of young Aboriginal people in the 1960s, many of whom were Stolen Generation like Narogin. His probation officer thinks he has been doing quite well since the orphanage, but the Youth is lost, rootless, in free-fall, a Wild Cat Falling, trying to make sense of his life writing Beat poetry and hanging out with the Widgeys and Bodgeys.
January 14, 2015
Despite it's age, this was still an interesting read. It discusses the recurring issue of youths, especially indigenous teens, getting into a cycle of crime and jail. Not much has changed.
March 31, 2015
Such a sad story but with some slight chance of redemption and a future. It is still as relevant today as it was in 1965. A Year 12 text - so I read it as my grandson is reading it also.
March 23, 2016
Read it because my daughter has to read for school. With so many books to choose, why this is on the curriculum is beyond me.
February 5, 2017
"Les hommes naissent égaux. Le lendemain, ils ne le sont plus" (Jules Renard). Pour certains, même avant leur naissance c’est déjà foutu pour les droits…
L’auteur de ce roman paru en 1965 n’avait pas les bonnes cartes en main pour faire une Grande Suite.
Son père était Blanc, et sa mère Aborigène, ce qui fait de lui un métis : pour les Blancs, il est Aborigène, pour les Aborigènes, il est Blanc. Le cul entre deux chaises.
Jugé par tout le monde dès sa naissance, même avant, étiqueté dès l’enfance, condamné par les deux populations, la Blanche et les Aborigènes, il aurait eu du mérite de s’en sortir, vu le sale ticket perdant qu’on lui a casé dans les mains dès qu’il est sorti du ventre de sa pauvre mère.
Il a bien entendu sombré assez vite, pour une broutille, bien entendu, et le fait d’être placé chez des gentils Blancs (ironie) d’une espèce de maison de redressement n’a pas arrangé les choses. Séparé de sa mère, cela ne fera que de le précipiter plus dans la merde totale. Une vraie merde, pas de la glace au chocolat (cfr scandale du Cacagate).
C’est le récit d’un renoncement à tout, sauf aux mauvais coups, le récit d’un naufrage humain, la chronique d’une renonciation annoncée. La chronique d’un jeune gars dont le seul tort était de n’être ni Blanc, ni Aborigène et qui n’a jamais réussi à trouver sa place, ses marques.
Les paragraphes alternent entre des récits du passé et ceux du présent, donnant à certains moments des airs de foutoir, mais comme un chat, on retombe vite sur nos pattes.
Un récit qui n’est pas joyeux, bien entendu, rien qu’aux titres des trois parties on a déjà compris le final. Notre auteur est désabusé, n’attend rien de la vie, rien des autres, ne sait pas trouver sa place et reste assez cynique lorsqu’il porte un regard sur la société Australienne.
C’est court, c’est pas long, mais c’est puissant, l’amertume de l’auteur transpire de chaque phrase et on sent bien que jamais il ne fera un effort pour s’en sortir dans la vie puisque la vie l’a mis sur le côté dès le départ.
Un récit qui, hélas, est toujours contemporain.
L’auteur de ce roman paru en 1965 n’avait pas les bonnes cartes en main pour faire une Grande Suite.
Son père était Blanc, et sa mère Aborigène, ce qui fait de lui un métis : pour les Blancs, il est Aborigène, pour les Aborigènes, il est Blanc. Le cul entre deux chaises.
Jugé par tout le monde dès sa naissance, même avant, étiqueté dès l’enfance, condamné par les deux populations, la Blanche et les Aborigènes, il aurait eu du mérite de s’en sortir, vu le sale ticket perdant qu’on lui a casé dans les mains dès qu’il est sorti du ventre de sa pauvre mère.
Il a bien entendu sombré assez vite, pour une broutille, bien entendu, et le fait d’être placé chez des gentils Blancs (ironie) d’une espèce de maison de redressement n’a pas arrangé les choses. Séparé de sa mère, cela ne fera que de le précipiter plus dans la merde totale. Une vraie merde, pas de la glace au chocolat (cfr scandale du Cacagate).
C’est le récit d’un renoncement à tout, sauf aux mauvais coups, le récit d’un naufrage humain, la chronique d’une renonciation annoncée. La chronique d’un jeune gars dont le seul tort était de n’être ni Blanc, ni Aborigène et qui n’a jamais réussi à trouver sa place, ses marques.
Les paragraphes alternent entre des récits du passé et ceux du présent, donnant à certains moments des airs de foutoir, mais comme un chat, on retombe vite sur nos pattes.
Un récit qui n’est pas joyeux, bien entendu, rien qu’aux titres des trois parties on a déjà compris le final. Notre auteur est désabusé, n’attend rien de la vie, rien des autres, ne sait pas trouver sa place et reste assez cynique lorsqu’il porte un regard sur la société Australienne.
C’est court, c’est pas long, mais c’est puissant, l’amertume de l’auteur transpire de chaque phrase et on sent bien que jamais il ne fera un effort pour s’en sortir dans la vie puisque la vie l’a mis sur le côté dès le départ.
Un récit qui, hélas, est toujours contemporain.
January 30, 2022
📙 Los Sueños del Gato Salvaje: Un joven de 19 años sale de la cárcel y comienza a revisar sus intereses para descubrir cómo vivir el resto de su vida. Entre el recuerdo de su infancia, y sus dos encarcelamientos se encuentra la historia de un niño descendiente de nativos australianos y una madre que no supo mantener a sus hijos a su lado. El joven, a su vez, tiene que definir si continuar con su vida como la conoce o integrarse en la sociedad.
🗣 Opinión: Interesante lectura la que nos propuso el Club de la Delicia. Una historia con tintes a los clásicos Beatnik como los de Jack Kerouak, en los que se explora la naturaleza humana, sus instintos y gusto por lo natural, por los orígenes, los caminos de autodescubrimiento y también por el racismo instalado en la sociedad.
El autor cuenta en el epílogo su propia historia, la que fue su primera inspiración para escribir este libro y dos continuaciones. Además de su camino de descubrimiento personal, su fe y sus amantes. Él había cambiado su nombre para ser fiel a sus orígenes. Tuvo que afrontar críticas diversas cuando decían que no era un descendiente verdadero de los pueblos originarios. Pero nunca se sabrá la verdad.
El autor falleció en 2019 dejando inconclusa su autobiografía, pero ha dejado una prolífica cantidad de títulos. Me gustó conocer su pluma.
🔊Recomendado para quienes gusten de la generación Beatnik y las historias de caminos personales.
🗣 Opinión: Interesante lectura la que nos propuso el Club de la Delicia. Una historia con tintes a los clásicos Beatnik como los de Jack Kerouak, en los que se explora la naturaleza humana, sus instintos y gusto por lo natural, por los orígenes, los caminos de autodescubrimiento y también por el racismo instalado en la sociedad.
El autor cuenta en el epílogo su propia historia, la que fue su primera inspiración para escribir este libro y dos continuaciones. Además de su camino de descubrimiento personal, su fe y sus amantes. Él había cambiado su nombre para ser fiel a sus orígenes. Tuvo que afrontar críticas diversas cuando decían que no era un descendiente verdadero de los pueblos originarios. Pero nunca se sabrá la verdad.
El autor falleció en 2019 dejando inconclusa su autobiografía, pero ha dejado una prolífica cantidad de títulos. Me gustó conocer su pluma.
🔊Recomendado para quienes gusten de la generación Beatnik y las historias de caminos personales.
Read
August 3, 20202.5 Stars
A short, sharp, stream of consciousness delivered by an isolated Aboriginal man who has just been released from prison in the 1960s.
Early on in the book, the narrator is speaking to a white woman behind the counter of some small shop. They talk about his recent release from prison, and how he'll probably end up back there before too long. His story starts in with his childhood:
"Then I got copped for stealing. I was sent to a home where I was educated in the simple techniques of crime. I learned to survive the harshness of Christian charity"
The woman behind the counter says that surely, our narrator can't get put back in prison again unless he deliberately breaks the law. His response:
"You haven't got a clue" I tell her. "They make the laws so chaps like me can't help breaking it whatever we do, and the likes of you can't hardly break it if you try"
That part of the story reminded me of the recent memoir by Jack Charles and Namila Benson. Jack too, was isolated from his family and raised in the brutal Box Hill Boys home.
The rest of the story rolled on chaotically through crowds of 'bodgies and bohemians'.
The narrator's attitude towards women was confronting. He described the woman behind the counter as 'past even raping age'.
It wasn't an enjoyable read, but I don't think that was ever the goal.
A short, sharp, stream of consciousness delivered by an isolated Aboriginal man who has just been released from prison in the 1960s.
Early on in the book, the narrator is speaking to a white woman behind the counter of some small shop. They talk about his recent release from prison, and how he'll probably end up back there before too long. His story starts in with his childhood:
"Then I got copped for stealing. I was sent to a home where I was educated in the simple techniques of crime. I learned to survive the harshness of Christian charity"
The woman behind the counter says that surely, our narrator can't get put back in prison again unless he deliberately breaks the law. His response:
"You haven't got a clue" I tell her. "They make the laws so chaps like me can't help breaking it whatever we do, and the likes of you can't hardly break it if you try"
That part of the story reminded me of the recent memoir by Jack Charles and Namila Benson. Jack too, was isolated from his family and raised in the brutal Box Hill Boys home.
The rest of the story rolled on chaotically through crowds of 'bodgies and bohemians'.
The narrator's attitude towards women was confronting. He described the woman behind the counter as 'past even raping age'.
It wasn't an enjoyable read, but I don't think that was ever the goal.
August 15, 2021
This was something like an angrier Catcher in the Rye, but like angry for because of the racism and classism and respectability politics of the larger white society, and not just like generally teenage-angsty. I think it was as much as product of the 1950s in the West in general as specific to Australia and issues of colonialism and incarceration of Aboriginal people. It felt very remiscent of The Outsiders and also On the Road. I think it was a worthwhile read because it is/was known as the first novel written by an Aboriginal Australian writer (apparently later there was some doubt about his heritage, but it does seem like it was a murky question and there were no government records that sorted it out for sure), but as for its value as a novel or entertainment, I'd say you'd have to have enjoyed any of the three novels I've mentioned to really enjoy this one and I did not. The narrator is misogynistic and I can appreciate his life was hard, but he's definitely punching down. Anyway, always be reading! It was interesting.
July 21, 2020
4.5* 'Wild Cat Falling' is a remarkable and vital literary work -- especially to listen to the author read it on audio, with his humorous intonation and traces of the cheeky youth he once might have been. The depiction of a pre-referendum Nyoongah 'bodgie''s inner world, and interactions with both non-Aboriginal and Aboriginal society, is sympathetically portrayed with nuance, that it feels like the story and its characters must have been be drawn from the author Mudrooroo's (Colin Johnson) life. And it is because this experience is published that makes it critical reading. As an historical artefact, it yields insights in the 'caught-between two worlds' identity of those who were exempt from the Act, as well as bodgie and student bohemian life in Perth, which I enjoyed very much. This meant, also, that 1960s' gender attitudes are presented authentically, which can be uncomfortable reading, but necessary to remember.
February 1, 2020
This is a beautifully written story about a disenfranchised aboriginal lad who seemingly has the world at this feet but cannot rise above his supposed place in society. He is quite intelligent, good looking and has people who want to support him but he is apathetic about his future so does not try to advance. It is very hard to judge a young Aborigine from the 50's when I am a white women in contemporary Melbourne. Indigenous youth still have the highest unemployment in the country and drop out of school early, they also have more illness and will die earlier than whites. The fact that this young man did not have a strong connection to his mother or his father probably contributed to many of his issues. This is still an excellent book to read as this author is authentic, poetic and historical. I very much enjoyed it.
June 1, 2021
Wild Cat Falling - it was a lovely novel. Something beautiful and broken. Like a dying flower.
The youth of forsaken souls stuck in the time of sick prejudice. Reading only a snapshot of this 19 year old boy’s life felt oddly comforting. It made me emotional, in a stubborn, sad way. It was as if, truly, he was falling his whole life. Neither up or down. Nothing was wrong or right. Nothing was good or bad. Nothing was anything.
‘All the dead voices.’
‘They make noises like wings.’
‘A noise like feathers.’
‘Like leaves.’
‘Like ashes.’
‘Like sand.’
A boy of bitterness and resent. A boy of sadness without regret. A boy who didn’t need to believe he was a man. Because he knew - he wasn’t.
The youth of forsaken souls stuck in the time of sick prejudice. Reading only a snapshot of this 19 year old boy’s life felt oddly comforting. It made me emotional, in a stubborn, sad way. It was as if, truly, he was falling his whole life. Neither up or down. Nothing was wrong or right. Nothing was good or bad. Nothing was anything.
‘All the dead voices.’
‘They make noises like wings.’
‘A noise like feathers.’
‘Like leaves.’
‘Like ashes.’
‘Like sand.’
A boy of bitterness and resent. A boy of sadness without regret. A boy who didn’t need to believe he was a man. Because he knew - he wasn’t.
October 16, 2017
A well-written story about a half-Aboriginal being stuck in two worlds and try to find his path.
The prose is stylish and interesting reflects on the old Australian mentality and the societal conflicts between natives and former colonists.
The major problem is the protagonist. He comes across as a whiny, self-centered sociopath who takes no responsibility for his life and justifies his crime by blaming others. I hate that attitude because it justifies any heinous crime ("I had no choice; they made me do it")
Would have easily become a 4-star novel if it weren't for the protagonist, but it still offers an interesting time window.
The prose is stylish and interesting reflects on the old Australian mentality and the societal conflicts between natives and former colonists.
The major problem is the protagonist. He comes across as a whiny, self-centered sociopath who takes no responsibility for his life and justifies his crime by blaming others. I hate that attitude because it justifies any heinous crime ("I had no choice; they made me do it")
Would have easily become a 4-star novel if it weren't for the protagonist, but it still offers an interesting time window.
October 13, 2022
I can see why this book was lauded when it was released in the 1960's. It is a very short book filled with lyrical writing and insights into a troubled indigenous youth. The story is intended to jar the reader and highlight uncomfortable issues around indigenous disadvantage, institutionalisation, and disconnection with social values. Unfortunately the handling of other elements such as the misogyny and adolescent posturing, while still relevant, did not work for me and came across as pretentious and insincere. A really interesting read.
September 5, 2023
Picked up second-hand and abandoned after reading, in exchange for books left by other holiday makers. Interesting historical piece but uneven reading experience. I'm not surprised it was an early work. The grating narrator contributes to being a difficult read: misanthropic, pompously boastful, arrogantly nihilistic, although usually psychologically plausible. Part of the historical interest is the jarringly unfamiliar setting, where jazz is seen as corrupting and milk bars are unsavoury dives.
April 13, 2024
Le pitch: un jeune métisse Aborigène, dans les années 1960, sort de prison, se remémore des épisodes de sa jeunesse et se demande bien ce qu'il va devenir.
Une histoire pas bien gaie, très pessimiste, voire nihiliste, mais une histoire éclairante sur la situation des Aborigènes dans les années soixante - pas de quoi être fier pour les blancs... un peu déprimant, donc, aussi. Je trouve ça bien que ce bouquin soit devenu depuis un classique de la littérature australienne, car ça me paraît être un témoignage important.
Je ne suis par contre pas fan de l'écriture, très plate.
Une histoire pas bien gaie, très pessimiste, voire nihiliste, mais une histoire éclairante sur la situation des Aborigènes dans les années soixante - pas de quoi être fier pour les blancs... un peu déprimant, donc, aussi. Je trouve ça bien que ce bouquin soit devenu depuis un classique de la littérature australienne, car ça me paraît être un témoignage important.
Je ne suis par contre pas fan de l'écriture, très plate.
August 16, 2017
This short book from 1965 is interesting, especially from the 2017 viewpoint. The main character is young, troubled, and living between two worlds. The description of the life of a prisoner and an alien in his own country are extraordinary. This is worth your time, especially to compare with today's America and today's Australia.
November 2, 2019
Another gift from a dear person.
I story of a native Australian, trying so hard not to blend in.
Pretending not to care, trying to hide the fact that he can be interested in music, or literature, or science...
Kind of a story about a person who acts like a teenager, even though he's not one anymore...
I story of a native Australian, trying so hard not to blend in.
Pretending not to care, trying to hide the fact that he can be interested in music, or literature, or science...
Kind of a story about a person who acts like a teenager, even though he's not one anymore...
April 15, 2021
Listened to the author read it as an audiobook. I’ve been wanting to hear this story for years, finally got to it. A brilliantly crafted tale. And the ending, wow. Stopped me in my tracks. Thanks for this story Mudrooroo.
July 31, 2021
It highlights the lives of Australia aborigines people, it depicts how the minority people always face discrimination in multicultural societies and the struggles during their search for a sense of belonging.
May 1, 2025
Interesting perspective and historical context behind it with controversy around the author. The narrators blatantly misogynistic descriptions can be painful to get through. Definitely feels like a commentary on the time.
October 12, 2017
Did this as an audio narrated by the author. Not a great voice for audio but loved the story and will re-read as a physical book.
April 2, 2018
Phoney and lazy.
February 13, 2020
had to read for a English. not good.
August 31, 2020
One of the first indigeneous stories in print..
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews