Merle Thornton: Bringing the Fight

by Merle Thornton

An engaging, lively, provocative and, above all, inspiring memoir from one of our home-grown, unsung feminist heroes, Merle Thornton, who has lived a life full of daring, defiance and activism.
Merle Thornton is one of Australia's most delightful, formidable and game-changing pioneering feminists - a woman who through her daring and defiance helped bring about positive change for generations of Australian women.

In her most audacious act, in 1965 she chained herself to the bar at the Regatta Hotel in Brisbane to protest against the law that excluded women from public bars in Queensland, bringing about the end of segregated drinking in that state. The bar in the hotel is now called 'Merle's Bar.' But that's just one achievement, in a life full and rich in defiance, daring and determination.

Warm, funny, rollicking - this is a memoir that is powerfully relevant to all women now.

'Merle Thornton, a true icon of Australian feminism, has published her memoir at the age of ninety and what a delight it is ...It's a fast, breezy read .. a memoir that also wants to inspire ... This book provides plenty of reminders that Merle Thornton was a genuine trailblazer.' Inside Story

Genres: Biography, Feminism, Nonfiction

288 pages, Unknown Binding

Published May 1, 2020

Reviews

[Rania T · Rating 4 out of 5]

Merle Thornton is a badass, feminist trailblazer, intellectual and the mother of actress Sigrid Thornton. She did a lot of interesting things and her story shows us how "oppressive" Australian culture also was once upon a time; something a lot of so-called modern citizens seem to forget and have a go at immigrants about oppressing their "women" when their own grandfathers were probably worse. Love it how she was involved with minorities as well as the First Australians also.

[Krystelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting (if not somewhat rudimentary) examination of the feminist movement in Australia and the story of one of the women who chained herself to a bar to protest public drinking segregation (which is a story I recall well from my early interests in feminism). Merle was certainly a pioneer of a lot of the ideas that we hold near and dear today in the annals of feminism, and there's a lot of power that comes from reading a book written by a woman who was so closely connected to the genus of the movement. My issues with this book were that it felt a little jumpy in places, and sometimes I wished that it would have elaborated a bit more and taken a more editorial style instead of the approach of just autobiography. Nonetheless, it forms an interesting image of Australia, the media, and the times behind us, as well as some of the things that we still need to fight for to get equal rights for all.

[Zora · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fast, breezy read full of historical interest. Merle is great company and a true icon of Australian feminism.

[Lia Perkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very easy to read. Interesting life and a worthwhile autobiography. Considering the 1965 Regatta lock-on is the event she's famous for (and is 90% of the blurb) I was surprised by how little time is spent discussing this. Somewhat liberal for my liking.

[Beth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oh how I wanted it to be so much more. I am glad I read the book, it was great to learn about the era and the experiences and really how downtrodden and second class women were in past eras, no matter what country. I remember in the 1980's in the US I was not allowed to have a credit card unless I had a husband, which I didn't. So yeah - things needed to change (and still need to continue evolving). So glad she chained herself to a bar in the 1960's because women were not allowed in, even if she did not think it was a big deal. It was. Very happy she started a women's study course at the university - which they tried to take away from her because she did not have a PhD and wasn't a full professor. Unhappy she was on her way to completing her PhD, made very big sacrifices to finish it and then stepped back because it was more important her husband finish his. She continued on as a research assistant to full blown professors and never was one, although she spent her lifetime on campuses and should have had multiple degrees coming out of her ears. Her husband sounds like he was very supportive, so it wasn't him, it was just the era and she was a mother. Agreed with another reviewer, was very chronological and not the best written, but still, a quick read. Good for knowledge and historical purposes.

[Cathy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was really disappointed with this book which I ordered online to help me through iso. The writing is really poor and what is probably a really interesting life is just rushed through chronologically in a bland style. I would recommend waiting for it to come up at the library rather than buying!

[Cass · Rating 4 out of 5]

Merle Thornton is an amazing woman who worked to bring about social change in Australia.

The book talks about frustrations, sacrifices.

Quick read, but a really important look at why social change is important.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy read with a thoughtful recount of Merle’s life and approach to activism. Enjoyed it as a BNE resident to appreciate the progress that has been made by such an dedicated visionary.

[Charlotte Parsons · Rating 4 out of 5]

Merle's life is extremely interesting and provided an interesting insight into 2nd wave feminism in Australia. Very easy reading and enjoyable!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent insight into the life of a woman who has done many things, both small and large, to improve the lives and rights of women across many decades.

[emilyneal · Rating 4 out of 5]

good for her