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Living on Hope Street
We all love someone. We all fear something. Sometimes they live right next door - or even closer.
Kane will do everything he can to save his mother and his little brother Sam from the violence of his father, even if it means becoming a monster himself.
Mrs Aslan will protect the boys no matter what - even though her own family is in pieces.
Ada wants a family she can count on, while she faces new questions about herself.
Mr Bailey is afraid of the refugees next door, but his worst fear will take another form.
And Gugulethu is just trying to make a life away from terror.
On this street, everyone comes from different places, but to find peace they will have to discover what unites them.
A deeply moving, unflinching portrait of modern Australian suburban life.
‘Living on Hope Street is a big-hearted, compassionate work. Divaroren is a ferociously good storyteller and every character breathes life, every character convinces. This book is an absolute joy to read.’ CHRISTOS TSIOLKAS
Kane will do everything he can to save his mother and his little brother Sam from the violence of his father, even if it means becoming a monster himself.
Mrs Aslan will protect the boys no matter what - even though her own family is in pieces.
Ada wants a family she can count on, while she faces new questions about herself.
Mr Bailey is afraid of the refugees next door, but his worst fear will take another form.
And Gugulethu is just trying to make a life away from terror.
On this street, everyone comes from different places, but to find peace they will have to discover what unites them.
A deeply moving, unflinching portrait of modern Australian suburban life.
‘Living on Hope Street is a big-hearted, compassionate work. Divaroren is a ferociously good storyteller and every character breathes life, every character convinces. This book is an absolute joy to read.’ CHRISTOS TSIOLKAS
256 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2017
12 people are currently reading
462 people want to read
About the author
Demet Divaroren
8 books41 followersDemet Divaroren was born in her mother’s childhood home in Adana, Turkey. She migrated to Australia with her family when she was six months old and grew up on the outskirts of Melbourne.
Her debut novel Living on Hope Street won the 2018 Victorian Premier’s Literary Award’s Prize for Writing for Young Adults and was shortlisted in the 2018 Prime Minister’s Literary Award for Young Adult fiction. Demet is the co-editor of CBCA shortlisted anthology Growing Up Muslim in Australia (A&U) that provides different snapshots of Muslim life, dispelling myths and labels and celebrating diversity.
Blood Moon Bride is her second novel.
Her debut novel Living on Hope Street won the 2018 Victorian Premier’s Literary Award’s Prize for Writing for Young Adults and was shortlisted in the 2018 Prime Minister’s Literary Award for Young Adult fiction. Demet is the co-editor of CBCA shortlisted anthology Growing Up Muslim in Australia (A&U) that provides different snapshots of Muslim life, dispelling myths and labels and celebrating diversity.
Blood Moon Bride is her second novel.
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October 13, 2017
این قصه یه معجونِ شگفت انگیز بود به اسم زندگی.
این معجون پر بود از احساسات ناب و از احساسات تلخی که دوست داری ازشون فرار کنی، از شادی ای که توی دلت مثل پروانه قلقلکت میده. معجون این قصه مثل سر کشیدن زندگی بود، سر کشیدن زندگیِ اهالی خیابان امید.
قصه ی خیابان امید یه قصه ی هزار داستانه.
مرکز داستان خانواده ی چهارنفره ای هستن که پدر الکلیشون عادت کرده به آسیب رسوندن جسمی به مادر خانواده و باعث هزاران هزار درد در جسم و روح این مادر و دو فرزندش میشه. سم بچه ی کوچیکه و بی اندازه مهربونه و خاص، و کِین که بزرگتره بعد از آسیب جدی ای که به مادرشون وارد میشه، با خشم قدرتمندی که درونش احساس میکنه تصمیم داره یک بار برای همیشه خانواده ش رو از شر پدر خلاص بکنه.
بعد از دونستن احوال این خانواده، بین همسایه هاشون می گردیم و از نگاه راوی های مختلف قصه ی توی خونه هاشون رو میخونیم. همسایه هایی که لابلای اونها از هر قشری پیدا میشه حتی مسلمان ترکیه ای. اما این خانواده ی چهارنفره همه جا مرکز قصه ان، خانواده ای که تقریبا تمام خیابون از سر و صداها و فریادهایی که از خونه شون میاد خبر دارن اما هیچوقت کاری انجام نمیدن.
شخصیت ها فوق العاده باورپذیرن، فوق العاده واقعی ان و کنار خواننده احساس میشن. احساسات قدرتمند و عمیقی لابلای صفحات این کتاب هست... درست مثل یه جادوی رنگارنگ این احساسات از همه رنگ هستن و رنگین کمان وسیعی پر از رنگ رو در ذهن خواننده نقاشی میکنن. خوشی های کوچیکی که قلب آدم رو به پرواز در میارن و دردهایی عمیقی که قلبت رو فشرده میکنن رو میشه به سادگی لابلای قصه های این کتاب پیدا کرد.
حقیقت اینه که من به خاطر اسم کتاب سمتش رفتم، و ته تهش همه چیز همونطور بود که انتظار داشتم... درست مثل زندگی در خیابان امید، تلخ بود اما امید همچنان بیت اونها نفس می کشید.
تیر 96
این معجون پر بود از احساسات ناب و از احساسات تلخی که دوست داری ازشون فرار کنی، از شادی ای که توی دلت مثل پروانه قلقلکت میده. معجون این قصه مثل سر کشیدن زندگی بود، سر کشیدن زندگیِ اهالی خیابان امید.
قصه ی خیابان امید یه قصه ی هزار داستانه.
مرکز داستان خانواده ی چهارنفره ای هستن که پدر الکلیشون عادت کرده به آسیب رسوندن جسمی به مادر خانواده و باعث هزاران هزار درد در جسم و روح این مادر و دو فرزندش میشه. سم بچه ی کوچیکه و بی اندازه مهربونه و خاص، و کِین که بزرگتره بعد از آسیب جدی ای که به مادرشون وارد میشه، با خشم قدرتمندی که درونش احساس میکنه تصمیم داره یک بار برای همیشه خانواده ش رو از شر پدر خلاص بکنه.
بعد از دونستن احوال این خانواده، بین همسایه هاشون می گردیم و از نگاه راوی های مختلف قصه ی توی خونه هاشون رو میخونیم. همسایه هایی که لابلای اونها از هر قشری پیدا میشه حتی مسلمان ترکیه ای. اما این خانواده ی چهارنفره همه جا مرکز قصه ان، خانواده ای که تقریبا تمام خیابون از سر و صداها و فریادهایی که از خونه شون میاد خبر دارن اما هیچوقت کاری انجام نمیدن.
شخصیت ها فوق العاده باورپذیرن، فوق العاده واقعی ان و کنار خواننده احساس میشن. احساسات قدرتمند و عمیقی لابلای صفحات این کتاب هست... درست مثل یه جادوی رنگارنگ این احساسات از همه رنگ هستن و رنگین کمان وسیعی پر از رنگ رو در ذهن خواننده نقاشی میکنن. خوشی های کوچیکی که قلب آدم رو به پرواز در میارن و دردهایی عمیقی که قلبت رو فشرده میکنن رو میشه به سادگی لابلای قصه های این کتاب پیدا کرد.
حقیقت اینه که من به خاطر اسم کتاب سمتش رفتم، و ته تهش همه چیز همونطور بود که انتظار داشتم... درست مثل زندگی در خیابان امید، تلخ بود اما امید همچنان بیت اونها نفس می کشید.
She touched the jar with the colours and opened the lid. ‘Guess what? This magic potion works super fast when …’ She put her fingers inside and got some dust and closed the lid and her skin got red, blue and green. ‘… when it’s sprinkled!’ She threw the colours up yelling, ‘Abracadabra! Begone, bad things!’ And the colours fell on the couch and the floor and went in my eyes and I squeezed them shut and laughed with Mum. She put the jar in my lap and I felt strong and brave like the bad things could never touch us again.
تیر 96
August 6, 2017
Kane and his family are casualties of alcoholism and domestic violence. His father a violent man who has held his family to ransom, his mother recovering from her fractured marriage. Terrified his father will return, Kane is resolute and will sacrifice his benevolence to defend his family. While Kane is resentful, brother Sam continues to regress and is plagued by nightmares of his father. The narrative commences with perspectives from brothers Kane and Sam, their father physically assaulting their mother before the police are notified and child welfare services intervene. The residents of Hope Street understand the volatile environment of domestic violence, refusing to intervene.
Mrs Aslan cares for Sam and Kane as though they were her own grandchildren, estranged from granddaughter Ada after an altercation with her mother. Ms Aslan now lives alone, migrating to Australia as a young woman from Türkiye, her devoted husband passing away shortly before her abandonment. Elderly neighbour Mrs Aslan is a compassionate woman and a thirty year resident of the suburban Hope Street. While neighbour Angie is hospitalised, Mrs Aslan cares for her children while aspiring to reconnect with her granddaughter Ada. Ada is a young woman exploring her sexual identity and pushing against her parental guidelines.
Gugulethu's family have very few possessions but are among the wealthiest families on Hope Street, the Bulawayo family sought refuge in Australia and are blessed to live with freedom and opportunity. Mr Bailey is a Vietnam war veteran, living with his wife and experiences debilitating post traumatic stress disorder as a result of the conflict. Perched at his window all day watching his neighbours, bigoted and judgemental.
The houses are debilitated, the gardens parched by the unforgiving Australian climate but in the suburbs of Melbourne resides the residents of Hope Street. Wonderfully diverse characters representatives of our families, our neighbours and communities throughout Melbourne. Living on Hope Street explores the lives of immigrant, asylum seeking and Australian families, examining socioeconomic, faith, domestic violence, racism, prejudice and sexuality from considerable and compassionate perspectives. An remarkable and compelling debut from author Demet Divaroren.
Mrs Aslan cares for Sam and Kane as though they were her own grandchildren, estranged from granddaughter Ada after an altercation with her mother. Ms Aslan now lives alone, migrating to Australia as a young woman from Türkiye, her devoted husband passing away shortly before her abandonment. Elderly neighbour Mrs Aslan is a compassionate woman and a thirty year resident of the suburban Hope Street. While neighbour Angie is hospitalised, Mrs Aslan cares for her children while aspiring to reconnect with her granddaughter Ada. Ada is a young woman exploring her sexual identity and pushing against her parental guidelines.
Gugulethu's family have very few possessions but are among the wealthiest families on Hope Street, the Bulawayo family sought refuge in Australia and are blessed to live with freedom and opportunity. Mr Bailey is a Vietnam war veteran, living with his wife and experiences debilitating post traumatic stress disorder as a result of the conflict. Perched at his window all day watching his neighbours, bigoted and judgemental.
The houses are debilitated, the gardens parched by the unforgiving Australian climate but in the suburbs of Melbourne resides the residents of Hope Street. Wonderfully diverse characters representatives of our families, our neighbours and communities throughout Melbourne. Living on Hope Street explores the lives of immigrant, asylum seeking and Australian families, examining socioeconomic, faith, domestic violence, racism, prejudice and sexuality from considerable and compassionate perspectives. An remarkable and compelling debut from author Demet Divaroren.
July 6, 2017
Living on Hope Street is a beautiful novel that shows the true beating heart of Australia. It is the representation of the Australia I grew up in and live in with real Australians-refugees, those in inter-racial relationships, cultures that represent all the different waves of migration in Australia.
Demet has created such distinct voices for each of her characters, from seven-year-old Sam who is terrorised by his home-life to 70 year-old Mr Bailey who is a Vietnam vet and struggling with the changing face of Australia, and these are the people I known on my street. I fell in love with the characters and couldn't wait to read about their journey. I loved this book and the voices of its characters won't leave me any time soon.
So proud of friend for this beautiful offering to the world. We need more books like this for young readers to recognise themselves in and for those who don't live on a street like Hope Street to understand its residents.
Demet has created such distinct voices for each of her characters, from seven-year-old Sam who is terrorised by his home-life to 70 year-old Mr Bailey who is a Vietnam vet and struggling with the changing face of Australia, and these are the people I known on my street. I fell in love with the characters and couldn't wait to read about their journey. I loved this book and the voices of its characters won't leave me any time soon.
So proud of friend for this beautiful offering to the world. We need more books like this for young readers to recognise themselves in and for those who don't live on a street like Hope Street to understand its residents.
August 11, 2017
A gritty realistic read with hope built through diverse friendships and familial ties. TW Note: It explores domestic violence, post-traumatic stress disorder and racism.
February 3, 2019
Hope Street is in a battling suburb of Melbourne. The residents are a modern Australian grab bag of backgrounds - a Turkish grandma, a newly arrived African refuge family, a PTSD affected Vietnam Vet, Lebanese, Islanders and the central characters of Sam and Kane who live with their mother and a violent father. There's also a cast of supporting characters covering schoolyard bullying, the impact of social media, racism, young love and exploring sexuality. So for a short book it's jam packed and with seven narrators there's not chance to delve too deeply into anyone or any single issue but as it is aimed to the YA it does a great job in a few pages.
June 5, 2017
A contemporary snapshot of life in Melbourne. The people who live in Hope Street are a mixed bunch of Aussies, immigrants and refugees. Throw into the mix the tragic consequences of domestic violence and you have a gritty, powerful, heart-wrenching novel.
July 1, 2017
Living on Hope Street by Demet Divaroren is a beautifully written, novel. Although this book is YA I feel that adults would also enjoy this story set in multicultural Melbourne. Demet Divaroren tells the story of the people who live on Hope Street with great compassion and understanding. You just want the kids in the story to be happy. Kane and Sam are brothers and when Kane tries to protect his mother and Sam from the violence of their father the scenes are written with empathy. In some ways this story reminds me of Ruth Park’s The Harp in the South and just as well-written.
From the blurb on the back cover: On this street, everyone comes from different places, but to find peace they will have to discover what unites them.
Living on Hope Street has one of the best covers I’ve seen and perfectly captures the story within, edgy and full of hope.
‘Living on Hope Street is a big-hearted, compassionate work. Divaroren is a ferociously good storyteller and every character breathes life, every character convinces. This book is an absolute joy to read.’ CHRISTOS TSIOLKAS
I’m sure Living on Hope Street will win awards and become an Australian classic.
Highly recommended.
From the blurb on the back cover: On this street, everyone comes from different places, but to find peace they will have to discover what unites them.
Living on Hope Street has one of the best covers I’ve seen and perfectly captures the story within, edgy and full of hope.
‘Living on Hope Street is a big-hearted, compassionate work. Divaroren is a ferociously good storyteller and every character breathes life, every character convinces. This book is an absolute joy to read.’ CHRISTOS TSIOLKAS
I’m sure Living on Hope Street will win awards and become an Australian classic.
Highly recommended.
April 10, 2017
Wow. Powerful, gritty and heart-wrenching.
Real compassion.
Real compassion.
September 18, 2017
A great work of Australian Literature. I was extremely lucky to win a copy of this wonderful book from the author.
I loved every word of this story. It was both realistic and sincere. An Aussie gem.
Set in an average Australian suburb in Melbourne, this is the tale of the people of Hope Street. A multicultural neighbourhood that, at first, seems a little disconnected.
We have Kane, who is determined to protect his brother and mother from an abusive father at any cost, even if it means becoming a version of his father to do so. Mrs Aslan, the immigrant next door who watches over the boys while her own family is splintered. Mr Bailey, a veteran who is leery of the refugees who have moved in next door. Scatter in a few tattooed car loving boys and the odd grump and you have a wonderful cast of authentic Australian characters.
It is gritty and edgy and completely compelling. At its core, it is a heartfelt story of community and connection. While this is a work of YA fiction, it could easily captivate an adult audience. It certainly had me glued to the page. I could easily see this book becoming an Australian classic. The writing is thoroughly engaging, the story is honest an absorbing, the characters feel authentic. Highly recommended.
I loved every word of this story. It was both realistic and sincere. An Aussie gem.
Set in an average Australian suburb in Melbourne, this is the tale of the people of Hope Street. A multicultural neighbourhood that, at first, seems a little disconnected.
We have Kane, who is determined to protect his brother and mother from an abusive father at any cost, even if it means becoming a version of his father to do so. Mrs Aslan, the immigrant next door who watches over the boys while her own family is splintered. Mr Bailey, a veteran who is leery of the refugees who have moved in next door. Scatter in a few tattooed car loving boys and the odd grump and you have a wonderful cast of authentic Australian characters.
It is gritty and edgy and completely compelling. At its core, it is a heartfelt story of community and connection. While this is a work of YA fiction, it could easily captivate an adult audience. It certainly had me glued to the page. I could easily see this book becoming an Australian classic. The writing is thoroughly engaging, the story is honest an absorbing, the characters feel authentic. Highly recommended.
June 15, 2017
I received a copy of this title form Allen & Unwin for review.
Ten Second Synopsis:
Kane and Sam live with an abusive father. Mrs Aslan misses her estranged daughter and granddaughter. Gugu and her family are adjusting to life in Australia and Mr Bailey is frightened of the way his street has changed. Living on Hope Street is a snapshot into the lives of this diverse neighbourhood.
There's a certain grittiness wrapped in dry humour inherent in many Australian stories and Living on Hope Street is no exception. The book opens on a shocking scene of family violence, that deftly introduces the protagonists, Kane, Sam and their mother Angie and sets the scene for further conflict later in the story. Chapter by chapter, the reader is introduced to the other characters who live on Hope Street and the ways in which their stories are interconnected.
There's Mr Bailey who has lived on Hope Street with his wife Judy since the distant past, and who struggles with the brown faces that seem to populate his space. No matter how hard he tries, he always seems to say the wrong thing to his Indian son-in-law. Mrs Aslan is Kane and Sam's Turkish widower neighbour, who provides support to Angie, the boys' mother, even as she mourns her own estrangement from her daughter and granddaughter. Ada, Mrs Aslan's granddaughter, comes to play a role in Kane's life later in the book and we are also introduced to Gugu, a young girl from a family of African refugees, whose presence and friendship provides stability for Sam. Along with these main players, Kane and Sam's violent father is an ever-lurking presence, while the Tupu family across the road, a group of friendly Arab young men and Mrs Aslan's daughter (and Ada's mother) play bit parts to round out the experience.
The constantly changing narrators and the fact that some of these narrators, like Mrs Aslan and Sam, have idiosyncratic ways of "talking" in their particular chapters, might be off-putting to some, but I found it enhanced my experience of the story because each character contributed a new perspective to each situation. The chapters aren't overly long either, which means that you are never more than a few pages away from a fresh voice and a new take on what is going on. I was impressed with the way the author managed to give each narrator an authentic voice and clear motivations and back story.
Overall, I found this to be one of those books that you can't help but read one more chapter and one more chapter until you are thoroughly sucked in to the lives of the characters. With a dramatic ending that hints at a renewal of hope for many residents of Hope Street, this book really has everything you could ever want in a realistic contemporary YA tale.
I can see this one being up for CBCA nominations next year, that's for sure. Living on Hope Street is flying the flag for an inclusive, diverse community and shows that this is possible, despite cultural differences.
Ten Second Synopsis:
Kane and Sam live with an abusive father. Mrs Aslan misses her estranged daughter and granddaughter. Gugu and her family are adjusting to life in Australia and Mr Bailey is frightened of the way his street has changed. Living on Hope Street is a snapshot into the lives of this diverse neighbourhood.
There's a certain grittiness wrapped in dry humour inherent in many Australian stories and Living on Hope Street is no exception. The book opens on a shocking scene of family violence, that deftly introduces the protagonists, Kane, Sam and their mother Angie and sets the scene for further conflict later in the story. Chapter by chapter, the reader is introduced to the other characters who live on Hope Street and the ways in which their stories are interconnected.
There's Mr Bailey who has lived on Hope Street with his wife Judy since the distant past, and who struggles with the brown faces that seem to populate his space. No matter how hard he tries, he always seems to say the wrong thing to his Indian son-in-law. Mrs Aslan is Kane and Sam's Turkish widower neighbour, who provides support to Angie, the boys' mother, even as she mourns her own estrangement from her daughter and granddaughter. Ada, Mrs Aslan's granddaughter, comes to play a role in Kane's life later in the book and we are also introduced to Gugu, a young girl from a family of African refugees, whose presence and friendship provides stability for Sam. Along with these main players, Kane and Sam's violent father is an ever-lurking presence, while the Tupu family across the road, a group of friendly Arab young men and Mrs Aslan's daughter (and Ada's mother) play bit parts to round out the experience.
The constantly changing narrators and the fact that some of these narrators, like Mrs Aslan and Sam, have idiosyncratic ways of "talking" in their particular chapters, might be off-putting to some, but I found it enhanced my experience of the story because each character contributed a new perspective to each situation. The chapters aren't overly long either, which means that you are never more than a few pages away from a fresh voice and a new take on what is going on. I was impressed with the way the author managed to give each narrator an authentic voice and clear motivations and back story.
Overall, I found this to be one of those books that you can't help but read one more chapter and one more chapter until you are thoroughly sucked in to the lives of the characters. With a dramatic ending that hints at a renewal of hope for many residents of Hope Street, this book really has everything you could ever want in a realistic contemporary YA tale.
I can see this one being up for CBCA nominations next year, that's for sure. Living on Hope Street is flying the flag for an inclusive, diverse community and shows that this is possible, despite cultural differences.
March 31, 2019
A gritty story about working-class marginalised people in the western suburbs of Melbourne. I had a soft spot in my heart for this book because I myself am an immigrant who lives in the western suburbs but have been privileged enough to be middle class, not be a refugee, attend a private school, and not live in an abusive household.
However, the story just never came together that well for me. It focused too much on some characters and not enough on others. Despite having an overall diverse set of characters--a Turkish Muslim woman (who arrived in Australia as a refugee) and her granddaughter, and a family of newly arrived refugees from Africa (the specific country was never disclosed)--the book still started, mostly focused on, and ended with the non-immigrant white characters. I would've liked for there to have been more of a balance. At times, I felt Kane and Sam's story dragged on a bit too much, which could have been pagetime for characters such as Gugu's family.
I also had a hard time figuring out exactly how old Sam was. Sometimes he would talk like he was 8 years old, sometimes like he was 5, and it was a bit confusing.
However, the story just never came together that well for me. It focused too much on some characters and not enough on others. Despite having an overall diverse set of characters--a Turkish Muslim woman (who arrived in Australia as a refugee) and her granddaughter, and a family of newly arrived refugees from Africa (the specific country was never disclosed)--the book still started, mostly focused on, and ended with the non-immigrant white characters. I would've liked for there to have been more of a balance. At times, I felt Kane and Sam's story dragged on a bit too much, which could have been pagetime for characters such as Gugu's family.
I also had a hard time figuring out exactly how old Sam was. Sometimes he would talk like he was 8 years old, sometimes like he was 5, and it was a bit confusing.
May 29, 2017
This review can be found at www.littlebigreads.com
“We all love someone, we all fear something. Sometimes it’s right next door, or even closer.”
Where do you begin writing a review when a book has had such a profound effect on you, one that you’re not expecting? You have so much to say, yet you’re not quite sure how to say it because nothing can prepare you for the impact those first few pages have on you. As you continue to read you feel hopeful…both for the lives of these everyday suburban people whose have already become etched in your mind, and hopeful that my words can do the book justice.
“This morning, Dad’s eyes were like glass.”
It was clear in those early words that life for Kane, Sam and Angie was always about living on edge, their days filled with fear and placing invisible barriers around themselves as a means of getting through everyday. I felt my stomach sink and my eyes water as I read those initial perspectives from Kane and Sam, such intensity I have not felt before, the characters minds fueled with sadness and intense fear and mine also.
“You’re gonna take me away” he said, wiping snot on his knees
This book, based on modern Australian suburban life not only enlighten us on the tough issues that many Australian families face, but also shares the heartwarming aspects too. With neighbours that reach out such as Mrs Aslan with the Nene heart, the refugees with no worldly possessions but shine bright with happiness and Ada, despite her hard exterior she has much to give and share. The author has captured each character and brought them to life so vividly that at the end of the book I didn’t want to say goodbye, I felt that each one had more stories to share.
Living on hope street is all about diversity, stereotypes, friendships across cultures, about what is happening behind doors that are being “seen”but people are choosing to ignore. A voice has been given to the Australian people from many cultures, both those misunderstood and those accepted.
I without a doubt recommend this book, it is heavy but heartwarming and it is real life but not the life we all know. It is a young adult book and feel it would make a good book for discussion. I think so many of us in Australia have grown up in streets where this type of real life happened, where it is still happening. In some way big or small we can relate.
Congratulations to the Author Demet Divaroren for writing what is bound to be a much loved piece of fiction.
Thank you to Allen & Unwin for the opportunity to read and honestly review this book.
“We all love someone, we all fear something. Sometimes it’s right next door, or even closer.”
Where do you begin writing a review when a book has had such a profound effect on you, one that you’re not expecting? You have so much to say, yet you’re not quite sure how to say it because nothing can prepare you for the impact those first few pages have on you. As you continue to read you feel hopeful…both for the lives of these everyday suburban people whose have already become etched in your mind, and hopeful that my words can do the book justice.
“This morning, Dad’s eyes were like glass.”
It was clear in those early words that life for Kane, Sam and Angie was always about living on edge, their days filled with fear and placing invisible barriers around themselves as a means of getting through everyday. I felt my stomach sink and my eyes water as I read those initial perspectives from Kane and Sam, such intensity I have not felt before, the characters minds fueled with sadness and intense fear and mine also.
“You’re gonna take me away” he said, wiping snot on his knees
This book, based on modern Australian suburban life not only enlighten us on the tough issues that many Australian families face, but also shares the heartwarming aspects too. With neighbours that reach out such as Mrs Aslan with the Nene heart, the refugees with no worldly possessions but shine bright with happiness and Ada, despite her hard exterior she has much to give and share. The author has captured each character and brought them to life so vividly that at the end of the book I didn’t want to say goodbye, I felt that each one had more stories to share.
Living on hope street is all about diversity, stereotypes, friendships across cultures, about what is happening behind doors that are being “seen”but people are choosing to ignore. A voice has been given to the Australian people from many cultures, both those misunderstood and those accepted.
I without a doubt recommend this book, it is heavy but heartwarming and it is real life but not the life we all know. It is a young adult book and feel it would make a good book for discussion. I think so many of us in Australia have grown up in streets where this type of real life happened, where it is still happening. In some way big or small we can relate.
Congratulations to the Author Demet Divaroren for writing what is bound to be a much loved piece of fiction.
Thank you to Allen & Unwin for the opportunity to read and honestly review this book.
April 29, 2023
This is an ambitious novel with 7 different povs, a difficult thing to write, and yet it makes it work and all of them are necessary, well done and add something to the story. We follow multiple residents of Hope Street and their interconnecting stories, although we mainly follow Sam and Kane and their storyline with their abusive father. Each pov is slightly different in tone and style (and some are in 3rd person while most are 1st person) to show the personalities of each character and they are well differentiated and the voices don't all blend together, so this is honestly really skillful with this many povs and characters.
I enjoyed the story quite a bit and it really highlights many issues in contemporary Australian society, like immigration and refugees and the issues and racism they face, poverty, domestic violence, bullying, ptsd, and all the mental health issues that can come from experiencing these things. It gave many perspectives on all of these things; some were the focus of the plot and had a lot of detail and others less so but all we given respect and time and would create great discussions and thinking points with teens. I really think the use of povs was masterful to fully explore these issues and present stereotypes and the way some people think and then contrast it with the reality from a different pov.
Aside from the discussions that were brought up, I also enjoy the way the plot built up slowly and then all came together and reacged an extreme climax. It was honestly quite emotional throughout but especially at the climax. The emotions of the characters really came off the page and were written well. Some parts though I felt were a bit basically written and didn't have as much impact as they felt less natural but that was only a few times so it doesn't bring it down too much.
I really liked the characters and grew to love some of them (especially Sam he was so sweet and his pov was very endearing, and it's hard not to love a little boy who's been through so much but is still so open and loving :')) I really like how his and Kane's emotional response to their dad's abuse towards their mum was so contrasting. Kane used to be more open and sweet like Sam but years of dealing with his dad led him to be hardened and angry and want to protect his family by hurting his dad. It was super interesting to explore both their emotions and Kane's growth was really great. As the story progresses he feels more aggressive and angry but at the end he is allowed to just be a normal teen and he starts to feel that too and starts to care about girls and TV shows without guilt:') I loved their brotherly relationship too and the portrayal of other friendships/other types of relationships in the book, especially the ones that we saw start (like sam and gugu and kane and ada (who really challenged each others worldview and had a fun friendship in the end)). I also love the side characters who didn't get a pov and they all brought something to the story too. I love how to community all came together on multiple occasions too:)
Overall it was a well written book that explored multiple themes really thoughtfully with great characters and perspectives and was engaging throughout. and the avatar reference at the end was fantastic btw.
I enjoyed the story quite a bit and it really highlights many issues in contemporary Australian society, like immigration and refugees and the issues and racism they face, poverty, domestic violence, bullying, ptsd, and all the mental health issues that can come from experiencing these things. It gave many perspectives on all of these things; some were the focus of the plot and had a lot of detail and others less so but all we given respect and time and would create great discussions and thinking points with teens. I really think the use of povs was masterful to fully explore these issues and present stereotypes and the way some people think and then contrast it with the reality from a different pov.
Aside from the discussions that were brought up, I also enjoy the way the plot built up slowly and then all came together and reacged an extreme climax. It was honestly quite emotional throughout but especially at the climax. The emotions of the characters really came off the page and were written well. Some parts though I felt were a bit basically written and didn't have as much impact as they felt less natural but that was only a few times so it doesn't bring it down too much.
I really liked the characters and grew to love some of them (especially Sam he was so sweet and his pov was very endearing, and it's hard not to love a little boy who's been through so much but is still so open and loving :')) I really like how his and Kane's emotional response to their dad's abuse towards their mum was so contrasting. Kane used to be more open and sweet like Sam but years of dealing with his dad led him to be hardened and angry and want to protect his family by hurting his dad. It was super interesting to explore both their emotions and Kane's growth was really great. As the story progresses he feels more aggressive and angry but at the end he is allowed to just be a normal teen and he starts to feel that too and starts to care about girls and TV shows without guilt:') I loved their brotherly relationship too and the portrayal of other friendships/other types of relationships in the book, especially the ones that we saw start (like sam and gugu and kane and ada (who really challenged each others worldview and had a fun friendship in the end)). I also love the side characters who didn't get a pov and they all brought something to the story too. I love how to community all came together on multiple occasions too:)
Overall it was a well written book that explored multiple themes really thoughtfully with great characters and perspectives and was engaging throughout. and the avatar reference at the end was fantastic btw.
February 14, 2018
An exceptional Australian voice. Demet Divaroren jumps right into Hope Street and lays it bare. Hope Street is a typical suburban road that has been totally changed by the influx of new residents from many different social and cultural backgrounds. Many of the residents are suffering from the aftermath of war and/or violence and there is an undertone of anger and aggression.
Mr and Mrs Bailey's house is one of only a few in which the owner occupiers have lived for decades, and Mr Bailey is dismayed by the changes. However, there is more to him than the cliched grumpy white old man and his presence is important to the story. He has little empathy for the ethnic differences around him and does not attempt to interact with his neighbours but spends much of his time spying on them. Nevertheless, his son-in-law is Indian and he still struggles to conduct a normal conversation with him which is beginning to be noticed by his loved grandchildren. Mr Bailey’s rescue dog Sunshine, regularly visits all of the neighbours, and through it we are shown tolerance and acceptance in Hope Street in many subtle ways.
The tale is told in chapters through the eyes of several of the Hope Street residents including Mr Bailey. This is a very useful device as it individualises the characters but allows them to interact naturally with the other neighbours. Kane, his younger brother Sam and their mother Angie are three of the central personalities, and the reader is seized from the first chapter as Kane describes the careful preparation of a family dinner which goes terribly wrong when his father finally returns home. The viciousness of domestic violence is told vividly, and the pathos is increasingly revealed in subsequent chapters through the eyes of the younger brother Sam.
Ada arrives at her grandmother’s house in Hope Street as a runaway. She is second generation Australian but has not seen her grandmother Mrs Aslan, for several years as her mother and Turkish born grandmother fell out after her father and mother separated. Ada attends a private high school courtesy of her father, but is struggling to find her identity and understand her sexuality. Mrs Aslan lives next door to Kane and Sam and has often looked after them when their parents were fighting.
Gugulethu and her family are the most recent arrivals not just to Hope Street but to Australia as refugees. She reveals many of the complex issues faced by people escaping from unbearable situations, refugee camps, language barriers, racism, bullying, inconsistent helpfulness, and lack of recognition of prior skills and education. Yet Gugu notices Sam’s isolation and detachment and befriends him, mingling their lives on Hope Street. Gugulethu and Sam go to the same primary school.
Living on Hope Street tells the story of how the people and families are brought together by the children who want to help each other and ultimately how they help themselves to survive their life challenges.
Mr and Mrs Bailey's house is one of only a few in which the owner occupiers have lived for decades, and Mr Bailey is dismayed by the changes. However, there is more to him than the cliched grumpy white old man and his presence is important to the story. He has little empathy for the ethnic differences around him and does not attempt to interact with his neighbours but spends much of his time spying on them. Nevertheless, his son-in-law is Indian and he still struggles to conduct a normal conversation with him which is beginning to be noticed by his loved grandchildren. Mr Bailey’s rescue dog Sunshine, regularly visits all of the neighbours, and through it we are shown tolerance and acceptance in Hope Street in many subtle ways.
The tale is told in chapters through the eyes of several of the Hope Street residents including Mr Bailey. This is a very useful device as it individualises the characters but allows them to interact naturally with the other neighbours. Kane, his younger brother Sam and their mother Angie are three of the central personalities, and the reader is seized from the first chapter as Kane describes the careful preparation of a family dinner which goes terribly wrong when his father finally returns home. The viciousness of domestic violence is told vividly, and the pathos is increasingly revealed in subsequent chapters through the eyes of the younger brother Sam.
Ada arrives at her grandmother’s house in Hope Street as a runaway. She is second generation Australian but has not seen her grandmother Mrs Aslan, for several years as her mother and Turkish born grandmother fell out after her father and mother separated. Ada attends a private high school courtesy of her father, but is struggling to find her identity and understand her sexuality. Mrs Aslan lives next door to Kane and Sam and has often looked after them when their parents were fighting.
Gugulethu and her family are the most recent arrivals not just to Hope Street but to Australia as refugees. She reveals many of the complex issues faced by people escaping from unbearable situations, refugee camps, language barriers, racism, bullying, inconsistent helpfulness, and lack of recognition of prior skills and education. Yet Gugu notices Sam’s isolation and detachment and befriends him, mingling their lives on Hope Street. Gugulethu and Sam go to the same primary school.
Living on Hope Street tells the story of how the people and families are brought together by the children who want to help each other and ultimately how they help themselves to survive their life challenges.
September 11, 2020
This book encompassed so many elements of today's society such as multiculturalism, refugee experience, white privilege and domestic and familial hardships in a way that is unforgettable. The story is told from multiple characters points of view and whilst it is a shorter book, the large number of characters didn't bother me. Each character came from a different age, cultural and linguistic background and really painted the picture of suburban Australia and how different cultures live together on this Hope Street and the difficulties but also triumphs that can arise from this. It really is a wholesome book and one that brings awareness to other people's experience and how we must acknowledge that.
April 17, 2018
I flew through this book! It is awful and heartbreaking from the very first page, but I couldn't put it down. I loved the way the story unfolded through the eyes of a cast of characters, and I loved seeing how they came together. This one made me cry once or twice, and although it's terribly sad sometimes I also found it hopeful.
*TRIGGER WARNING* this deals with domestic violence (literally from the first page in the book)
*TRIGGER WARNING* this deals with domestic violence (literally from the first page in the book)
did-not-finish
August 30, 2024CW: domestic violence, racism
2024
I found a copy at the library discard store. Then I took it back without finishing because I remembered how hard it is to read
2018
I have to return this to the library, but I'll get back to it. The domestic violence is too intense for me at the moment.
"We are baobab people. We are strong like the baobab tree."
2024
I found a copy at the library discard store. Then I took it back without finishing because I remembered how hard it is to read
2018
I have to return this to the library, but I'll get back to it. The domestic violence is too intense for me at the moment.
September 21, 2018
Book Club for our 13+ Group.
This one has been our favourite so far this year. It was a dark, gritty read following the families living on Hope Street. There was violence and racism, but also people who pulled together to save others and I think we may have all cried at least once!
We scored it:
8.75, 10, 9, 8.5, 8, 9.75, 10, 8.5, 9, 10
This one has been our favourite so far this year. It was a dark, gritty read following the families living on Hope Street. There was violence and racism, but also people who pulled together to save others and I think we may have all cried at least once!
We scored it:
8.75, 10, 9, 8.5, 8, 9.75, 10, 8.5, 9, 10
May 20, 2023
for a book i had to read for school, it wasn’t half bad
June 6, 2017
A raw and confronting story that covers very intense issues like domestic violence and hot topics like immigration and the hope that stems from breaking down of barriers and stereotypes that can happen when people unite. The story is written from various perspectives of different cultures and ages and each voice was so distinguished, it's easy to follow each character. Very well written, very important - such a great insight into suburban life today and makes you realise, sometimes, you just don't know what your neighbours may be going through. Many thanks to Allen and Unwin Publishers for an Advanced Review Copy in exchange for my honest review.
March 27, 2018
This was a brutal and honest and powerful look at many issues that Australia faces today. I think it’s important to read if you can - there is a lot of triggering content in this little book.
December 30, 2019
This is as real as it gets. It’s relatable to many and whilst some many question it’s suitability for YA readers- it’s life. Life that many know, many relate to and many need to understand. Not everyone lives a life like you but you are the change for yourselves and, often, for others. Diversity is a part of our world, so is accepting and learning from and about others. Being a guiding force when it might seem impossible allows us to grow as humans. It’s a great read- I found it relatable bc it’s set in a suburb similar to one I grew up in, it’s the kids I grew up with, the ones I went to school with and the ones I teach.
September 5, 2017
This is a truly beautiful piece of writing that reflects modern Australia extremely well. A superb debut novel from a talented young writer.
July 25, 2017
A very interesting book about a very low socio-economic street with different issues, but they all come back to the first family and the domestic violence, as it states very late in the book that the street revolves around them.
The multi-narrative in this was very well done, capturing the essence of teenagers, and young primary age children, and adults, one who had a hard time with English.
I did notice that the adults were written in the 3rd person, as opposed to the children and teens, which was 1st person. This was very jarring.
I would have also liked a glossary because I found a Turkish speaking staff member at my work to translate some words for me when the Mrs Aslan switched to Turkish.
But I loved the array of people and how they were brought close together over time and for the finale
The multi-narrative in this was very well done, capturing the essence of teenagers, and young primary age children, and adults, one who had a hard time with English.
I did notice that the adults were written in the 3rd person, as opposed to the children and teens, which was 1st person. This was very jarring.
I would have also liked a glossary because I found a Turkish speaking staff member at my work to translate some words for me when the Mrs Aslan switched to Turkish.
But I loved the array of people and how they were brought close together over time and for the finale
May 23, 2019
I read this book as I was looking into texts that might suit Year 8 English curriculum. The multiple perspectives angle worked well and I liked the depth provided in such a short story to the different characters. I love that Mr Bailey wasn't oversimplified and given life beyond the outward portrayal of your local old grumpy bigoted man, and that characters like Mrs Aslan are shown to have made mistakes too. This was a great portrait of life on streets that feel really familiar. I'd happily recommend this to other English teachers to read and ponder if it would fit their curriculum.
Read
August 16, 2022
Trigger & Content Warnings
Racism
Domestic violence
Substance addiction
Military Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Death of a husband
Bullying
Racism
Domestic violence
Substance addiction
Military Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Death of a husband
Bullying
November 7, 2018
A raw, confronting yet important story all Aussies should read…
This story is written from various perspectives of different cultures and ages and each voice is distinguished. Kane will do everything he can to save his mother and little brother Sam from the violence of his father. Kane’s neighbour, Mrs Aslan will protect the boys no matter what – even though her own family is in pieces. Down the road, Ada wants a family she can count on, while she faces new questions about herself. Mr Bailey is afraid of the refugees next door and Gugulethu is just trying to make a life away from terror. This is a diverse neighhourhood where everyone comes from different cultures and different walks of live yet find peace, they need to discover what unites them.
Even with different characters, it was very easy to follow the story, it was quite the page turner.
I found this to be an important story that needed to be told because of the themes covered in this book. It was such a great insight into suburban life today even makes you realize everyone is fighting their own battle in some way. It’s very well written and I would recommend this to fans of Contemporary YA books.
Many thanks to Allen & Unwin Publishers for sending me an Advanced Review Copy in exchange for my honest review. Due for release: June 2017
-Annie
This story is written from various perspectives of different cultures and ages and each voice is distinguished. Kane will do everything he can to save his mother and little brother Sam from the violence of his father. Kane’s neighbour, Mrs Aslan will protect the boys no matter what – even though her own family is in pieces. Down the road, Ada wants a family she can count on, while she faces new questions about herself. Mr Bailey is afraid of the refugees next door and Gugulethu is just trying to make a life away from terror. This is a diverse neighhourhood where everyone comes from different cultures and different walks of live yet find peace, they need to discover what unites them.
Even with different characters, it was very easy to follow the story, it was quite the page turner.
I found this to be an important story that needed to be told because of the themes covered in this book. It was such a great insight into suburban life today even makes you realize everyone is fighting their own battle in some way. It’s very well written and I would recommend this to fans of Contemporary YA books.
Many thanks to Allen & Unwin Publishers for sending me an Advanced Review Copy in exchange for my honest review. Due for release: June 2017
-Annie
July 16, 2017
A snapshot of Australian suburbia (possibly the Brimbank/Melton area in Melbourne with Mr.Bailey's dog called Sunshine?) in this ethnically diverse, inclusive Young Adult novel. It was refreshing to see a Turkish character (Mrs Aslan) tell bits of the story from her point of view, as the last time I saw an Australian Immigrant Turkish character in a book was in Maureen MCcarthy's novel Fatimafrom the In Between Series published in the mid 80's, which was written in a third person narrative. And also some points of view from a young Primary-School aged African refugee, which should incite compassion and empathy in readers. Not only that, but Demet Divaroren has possibly found a new, English-speaking audience for Turkish soap operas such as the Khurrem Sultan (Magnificent Century) series (which I have had the pleasure of viewing in both Greek and Urdu dubbing) that she mentions through Living on Hope Street... giving the novel that extra bit of cultural substance. Recommended.
June 20, 2018
From the first symbolic sentence to the last striking line, this story rocks the senses. Emotionally explosive, Divaroren's prose eloquently embraces subject matter that bristles with vileness and loathing. As each resident of Hope Street shares their feelings and fears, the true heart of this overlooked, multi-culturally coloured backwater road is revealed. Each resident has a history that threatens to tear them apart. Each fights demons disguised as forms of bigotry, PTSD, racism and family violence. They all come from different places but they share one potent desire, to be free of fear and heartache.
This is a magnificent read, acutely executed and difficult to eradicate oneself from. Characters bare their hearts and souls in the most dramatic and raw ways making Hope Street a curiously compelling place to visit. I urge you to do so soon.
This is a magnificent read, acutely executed and difficult to eradicate oneself from. Characters bare their hearts and souls in the most dramatic and raw ways making Hope Street a curiously compelling place to visit. I urge you to do so soon.
July 12, 2017
what can I say .... this was an absolute awesome read ... couldn't put it down .... Every character had a story to tell, the multicultural story line in one of Melbourne's streets and the different families that lived there actually made me believe that it could be an actually true story and that quote "behind closed doors" is perfect for this book ... so many emotions, so well written, It was heartbreaking, my goodness young Sam made me cry, Kane trying to be such a man but such a boy... and when Mr Bailey stands in the street begging for help actually made me sob. Mrs Aslan such a big heart
Good Job Ms Divaroren good job
one thing I was surprised by was the fact that footy teams Collingwood and Essendon were mentioned by no word of The Bulldogs
Good Job Ms Divaroren good job
one thing I was surprised by was the fact that footy teams Collingwood and Essendon were mentioned by no word of The Bulldogs
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