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Jack Charles: Born-again Blakfella
Jack Charles has worn many hats throughout his life: actor, cat burglar, musician, heroin addict, activist, even Senior Victorian Australian of the Year. But the title he’s most proud to claim is that of Aboriginal Elder.
Stolen from his mother and placed into institutional care when he was only a few months old, Uncle Jack was raised under the government’s White Australia Policy. The loneliness and isolation he experienced during those years had a devastating impact on him that endured long after he reconnected with his Aboriginal roots and discovered his stolen identity. Even today he feels like an outsider; a loner; a fringe dweller.
In this honest and no-holds-barred memoir, Uncle Jack reveals the ‘ups and downs of this crazy, drugged up, locked up, fucked up, and at times unbelievable, life’. From his sideline as a cat burglar, battles with drug addiction and stints in prison, to gracing the nation’s stages and screens as he dazzled audiences with his big personality and acting prowess, he takes us through the most formative moments of his life.
By turns heartbreaking and hilarious, Jack Charles: Born-again Blakfella is a candid and uplifting memoir from one of Australia’s finest and most beloved actors.
Stolen from his mother and placed into institutional care when he was only a few months old, Uncle Jack was raised under the government’s White Australia Policy. The loneliness and isolation he experienced during those years had a devastating impact on him that endured long after he reconnected with his Aboriginal roots and discovered his stolen identity. Even today he feels like an outsider; a loner; a fringe dweller.
In this honest and no-holds-barred memoir, Uncle Jack reveals the ‘ups and downs of this crazy, drugged up, locked up, fucked up, and at times unbelievable, life’. From his sideline as a cat burglar, battles with drug addiction and stints in prison, to gracing the nation’s stages and screens as he dazzled audiences with his big personality and acting prowess, he takes us through the most formative moments of his life.
By turns heartbreaking and hilarious, Jack Charles: Born-again Blakfella is a candid and uplifting memoir from one of Australia’s finest and most beloved actors.
256 pages, Paperback
First published August 20, 2019
52 people are currently reading
1386 people want to read
About the author
Jack Charles
8 books13 followersJack Charles, also known as Uncle Jack Charles, was an Aboriginal Australian stage and screen actor, musician, potter, and elder. He was involved in establishing the first Indigenous theatre in Australia, co-founding, with Bob Maza, Nindethana Theatre in 1971.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 222 reviews
October 6, 2024
Wow, what a life Jack Charles has led! I only came across him last year, when I listened to Archie Roach's book and was listening to his music. Jack Charles is in one of his music videos, and there were some live performances too. I was drawn to his vibrant energy and Googling him found he is an actor, musician, activist, Aboriginal Elder -- and, formerly, a cat burglar and heroin addict. Articles detailing his life story are interesting so I was excited to see he had a fairly recent book -- from 2019.
In what is a heartbreakingly familiar beginning to the life story of many Aboriginal people, Jack is taken from his mother when he is few months old and placed into institutional care. I've yet to read a book where someone has a loving and fulfilling childhood within an institution, and I'm still baffled as to why this it was considered acceptable to raise so many children in this way. Unsurprisingly his childhood was difficult (this is of course an understatement) lonely and abusive. I was fascinated by his rediscovery of his siblings -- they would come across each other by chance, realise there was something familiar, and find out they were related. It's amazing how family can find their way back to each other, even if they don't know that they are looking for each other.
He describes his acting career, his time in prison (which he used well, reading, completing schooling, writing letters for other prisoners), his work as a glass beveller, his addiction and much more. There is a documentary called Bastardy from 2008 that I want to watch when I can. It is discussed in this book and seems to have changed the trajectory of his life, and brought his life story to an international audience.
This book is co-authored with Namila Benson and I want to mention what an excellent job she did in capturing Jack's voice -- if you listen to or watch an interview with him, you'll see that he is quite the force of nature, and she did a brilliant job of putting that onto the page.
I also want to see the full episode that this clip is from, though I don't think I can access it from NZ unfortunately:
"Who Do You Think You Are? | Uncle Jack Charles discovers his father's identity | SBS On Demand"
https://youtu.be/s7NzpCfISEU
Updated 2022:
I've thought about this book so often since I finished it, and it was with great sadness that I clicked on an article earlier today to read that Jack Charles had died. There have been some lovely articles written, a few of which I will link below.
https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2...
https://www.smh.com.au/national/uncle...
https://www.theguardian.com/australia...
In what is a heartbreakingly familiar beginning to the life story of many Aboriginal people, Jack is taken from his mother when he is few months old and placed into institutional care. I've yet to read a book where someone has a loving and fulfilling childhood within an institution, and I'm still baffled as to why this it was considered acceptable to raise so many children in this way. Unsurprisingly his childhood was difficult (this is of course an understatement) lonely and abusive. I was fascinated by his rediscovery of his siblings -- they would come across each other by chance, realise there was something familiar, and find out they were related. It's amazing how family can find their way back to each other, even if they don't know that they are looking for each other.
He describes his acting career, his time in prison (which he used well, reading, completing schooling, writing letters for other prisoners), his work as a glass beveller, his addiction and much more. There is a documentary called Bastardy from 2008 that I want to watch when I can. It is discussed in this book and seems to have changed the trajectory of his life, and brought his life story to an international audience.
This book is co-authored with Namila Benson and I want to mention what an excellent job she did in capturing Jack's voice -- if you listen to or watch an interview with him, you'll see that he is quite the force of nature, and she did a brilliant job of putting that onto the page.
I also want to see the full episode that this clip is from, though I don't think I can access it from NZ unfortunately:
"Who Do You Think You Are? | Uncle Jack Charles discovers his father's identity | SBS On Demand"
https://youtu.be/s7NzpCfISEU
Updated 2022:
I've thought about this book so often since I finished it, and it was with great sadness that I clicked on an article earlier today to read that Jack Charles had died. There have been some lovely articles written, a few of which I will link below.
https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2...
https://www.smh.com.au/national/uncle...
https://www.theguardian.com/australia...
October 10, 2019
As soon as I heard Jack Charles on the podcast Conversation with Richard Fidler I went straight online to my local library and reserved this memoir.
Read it in one sitting. A compelling read of this lovable ol' rogue and National Treasure's life.
To say he's a survivor all right, is probably a understating it, just a little bit. He admits himself, that with what he's been through it's a bit of a miracle he is still with us, just shows that we are the lucky ones.
He's a born storyteller and orator, I can't help wondering if he'd had a loving upbringing and if his Mum could have had a better life, and her children not been stolen from her, what he would have been able to achieve. At the very least, quite a few extremely wealthy people in Kew might not have had him prowling around their homes at night looking for cash and things to pinch and Jack wouldn't have looked for solace in a heroin haze.
I appreciate him sharing his story, so much. We really should be incensed by his and other's stories of stolen, disassociated and abused lives that lead to lives of crime and drug addiction. So pleased he's come out the other side, that he's shared his talents as an actor with us during his eventful life, and that he is using his insights to help others.
Highly readable and well written. Highly recommended.
Read it in one sitting. A compelling read of this lovable ol' rogue and National Treasure's life.
To say he's a survivor all right, is probably a understating it, just a little bit. He admits himself, that with what he's been through it's a bit of a miracle he is still with us, just shows that we are the lucky ones.
He's a born storyteller and orator, I can't help wondering if he'd had a loving upbringing and if his Mum could have had a better life, and her children not been stolen from her, what he would have been able to achieve. At the very least, quite a few extremely wealthy people in Kew might not have had him prowling around their homes at night looking for cash and things to pinch and Jack wouldn't have looked for solace in a heroin haze.
I appreciate him sharing his story, so much. We really should be incensed by his and other's stories of stolen, disassociated and abused lives that lead to lives of crime and drug addiction. So pleased he's come out the other side, that he's shared his talents as an actor with us during his eventful life, and that he is using his insights to help others.
Highly readable and well written. Highly recommended.
March 26, 2020
Listening to Jack Charles read this audiobook just about winded me in some parts. He's same age as my dad and they both spent most of their lives in Melbourne - in very different circles - but it helped me place everything in space and time which I think made it a very powerful read for me.
September 29, 2019
I have read memoirs of famous actors, thieves, heroin users and survivors of the stolen generations before, but never in the same volume. Jack Charles' extraordinary life makes this gripping stuff. Many of the themes are dark, but Charles' uses humour and self-deprecation to set the reader at some ease, while talking about the very real trauma and reverberating effects of his childhood abuse - both of the individual kind, and the systemic.
Charles' personality doesn't always translate with full power to the written word, so I'd strongly recommend picking up the audiobook for this one so you get that incredible voice and delivery.
2019 Reading Challenge #26. A book that's published in 2019
Charles' personality doesn't always translate with full power to the written word, so I'd strongly recommend picking up the audiobook for this one so you get that incredible voice and delivery.
2019 Reading Challenge #26. A book that's published in 2019
September 29, 2020
Get the audio version if you can. It’s so great to hear Uncle Jacks voice tell his own story.
November 15, 2020
“We need a treaty now, to start a real process of reconciliation.”
“As an elder, I hope to be a glorious reminder of my people’s culture, our place of belonging, our kinship, community, and connection.”
This memoir is very impactful, and everyone in Australia should give it a read. Uncle Jack Charles doesn’t pull any punches with the description of his life story: being a member of the stolen generation, the pain of being pulled away from his culture and his family, the abuse he suffered as a child from the Salvation Army, and his involvement in the justice system.
Uncle Jack describes the brutality of the system which we all contribute to. White Australians like to think Australia’s history doesn’t have anything to do with them, or cherry pick history that suits the narrative that keeps non-indigenous people in power.
It warms my heart that the opinions and voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mob are becoming more and more heard and celebrated, but there is much much more work to do. Until there is a treaty, until there is celebration of NAIDOC in all schools (not just schools that have a higher population of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander kids in them.... ESPECIALLY in rich, white schools), until our First Nations people are listened to and respected in all levels of government. And so so much more.
Uncle Jack Charles gives this story with warmth and humour, and it is a painful yet joyful read.
“As an elder, I hope to be a glorious reminder of my people’s culture, our place of belonging, our kinship, community, and connection.”
This memoir is very impactful, and everyone in Australia should give it a read. Uncle Jack Charles doesn’t pull any punches with the description of his life story: being a member of the stolen generation, the pain of being pulled away from his culture and his family, the abuse he suffered as a child from the Salvation Army, and his involvement in the justice system.
Uncle Jack describes the brutality of the system which we all contribute to. White Australians like to think Australia’s history doesn’t have anything to do with them, or cherry pick history that suits the narrative that keeps non-indigenous people in power.
It warms my heart that the opinions and voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mob are becoming more and more heard and celebrated, but there is much much more work to do. Until there is a treaty, until there is celebration of NAIDOC in all schools (not just schools that have a higher population of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander kids in them.... ESPECIALLY in rich, white schools), until our First Nations people are listened to and respected in all levels of government. And so so much more.
Uncle Jack Charles gives this story with warmth and humour, and it is a painful yet joyful read.
January 6, 2023
A beautiful, moving, funny, witty, uplifting and entertaining memoir, by a great human being, the late Uncle Jack Charles.
Born at a time when the Australian Government were determined to assimilate the aboriginality out of native Australians, Jack and all his siblings were a part of the Stolen Generations. From a life of abuse, crime and drugs, Uncle Jack's life story is a great read by a man whose early life revolved around the Box Hill Boys Home with the Salvation Army in Melbourne.
Full of emotion, this volume is a wonderful read.
Born at a time when the Australian Government were determined to assimilate the aboriginality out of native Australians, Jack and all his siblings were a part of the Stolen Generations. From a life of abuse, crime and drugs, Uncle Jack's life story is a great read by a man whose early life revolved around the Box Hill Boys Home with the Salvation Army in Melbourne.
Full of emotion, this volume is a wonderful read.
August 25, 2021
What a powerful, yet tragic read. Uncle Jack Charles has every reason to hate Australia for the things that were allowed to happen to him and his people, yet this is a man who chooses to educate and help others in need. Any review will never do this memoir justice. From his experience as a child being part of the Stolen Generation, to being largely disconnected from his Aboriginality after reuniting with his mother to an unfortunate spiral into drugs and homelessness, to various stints in prison to then finding his passion for acting and theatre, Jack Charles has had one tough and challenging life. I think this book just sums up the experiences of many Indigenous Australians in a country that has not reconciled with its evil and destructive past. I really hope in my lifetime a Treaty can be created to permanently legitimise Australia’s most important identity of all, it’s proud Indigenous one. Yet with all of the heavy and tragic themes throughout, I couldn’t help but laugh at some of Uncle’s recounts of his robbing stories. I commend you Uncle Jack Charles, a national treasure.
August 29, 2019
I could hear Uncle Jack reading this to me as I read. Incredible story.
October 7, 2022
This book is beautifully and simply written. Having been a member of the Stolen Generation, Jack's life was tinged with hardship from the very start. Throughout the early part of his life he struggled to find his identity. Part of the result of this struggle was a life of crime and addiction. Yet despite this he also managed to build up a significant presence on stage and screen. In later life he became a respected aboriginal elder. This book is worth reading if you want an easy introduction to the issues of being an Aboriginal in Australia.
June 20, 2020
Reading this book has felt like sitting down with Uncle Jack Charles, yarning and learning, laughing & crying along the way.
A man from the Stolen Generation in Australia, this memoir is one of discovering family and yourself, and shines a light on the casual and systemic racism faced by Aboriginal Australians still today.
I highly recommend giving it a read.
A man from the Stolen Generation in Australia, this memoir is one of discovering family and yourself, and shines a light on the casual and systemic racism faced by Aboriginal Australians still today.
I highly recommend giving it a read.
September 23, 2019
An incredible story about an incredible man. Thank you for sharing your story Uncle Jack
April 15, 2025
I’d never thought I’d pick up an autobiography but here we are. I figured if I was going to read any, why not pick someone important. What a life Uncle Jack led. I’m so glad I picked this up as an audiobook, it felt like I was sitting right there with him and he was speaking right to me.
Uncle Jack led a complicated life - growing up part of the Stolen Generation, not understanding or knowing his Aboriginal identity mixed with a queer experience and tense race relations in Australia, both historically and currently in the 21st century and becoming an actor. His constant resilience and determination in the face of continual racism in a system built for First Nations people to fail was difficult to read - it’s putting Australia’s racism front and centre, not poking the finger but showing how it tore real lives apart, in particular how intergenerational trauma roots itself in places we don’t know we even had in us. Albeit difficult, it was necessary to read and hear his “ups and downs” which he even said was perplexing to experience - heroine addiction to the international movie stardom for example. It’s incredible to hear the multitude of his life and those of his contemporary Indigenous Australians comrades both on stage and off.
A must read for everyone. A defining voice of Australia and First Nations people.
Uncle Jack led a complicated life - growing up part of the Stolen Generation, not understanding or knowing his Aboriginal identity mixed with a queer experience and tense race relations in Australia, both historically and currently in the 21st century and becoming an actor. His constant resilience and determination in the face of continual racism in a system built for First Nations people to fail was difficult to read - it’s putting Australia’s racism front and centre, not poking the finger but showing how it tore real lives apart, in particular how intergenerational trauma roots itself in places we don’t know we even had in us. Albeit difficult, it was necessary to read and hear his “ups and downs” which he even said was perplexing to experience - heroine addiction to the international movie stardom for example. It’s incredible to hear the multitude of his life and those of his contemporary Indigenous Australians comrades both on stage and off.
A must read for everyone. A defining voice of Australia and First Nations people.
February 14, 2023
A very well-written autobiography of a legend who lived such a multifaceted life. May he rest in peace.
September 12, 2021
5 stars
🚨 Warning - the sexual and physical assault and drug use in this memoir may be a trigger warning for some readers 🚨
There isn’t many hats that Aboriginal Elder Jack Charles hasn’t worn throughout his seventy eight years. Removed as an infant from his mother as part of The Stolen Generation; he was institutionalised and then physically, sexually and psychologically abused throughout his childhood. Hoping for better teen years, a search for his Aboriginal identity instead led to years of being a cat burglar, prisoner and drug addict.
Despite his life careering down a road of self-destruction, Charles managed to pull on the hand break often enough to discover a love for the arts. As a poet, potter and most famously, an actor; Charles graced the stage and screen whilst contemporaneously turning his life around from a ‘stereotype’ to a leader, activist and Elder.
Proving that good things come in small packages and that you should never judge a book by it’s cover; Born-again Blakfella is a hilarious, raw and poignant memoir that should be read by everyone.
Jack Charles has the gift of a gab and can spin a yarn like no other. His memoir alternates between cheeky yarns, laugh out loud moments, raw and unflinching honesty, and horrific trauma. It packs a punch and leaves no stone unturned. I really appreciated this no holds bar approach and the ability of Charles to make it through life in the manner that he has. I don’t think I could be as forgiving as he is, but it’s obvious that he has a zest of life that nothing can impede. He writes from the heart and there is something seriously wrong with you if you are not moved by this memoir.
Charles sum up his life as “drugged up, locked up, fucked up, and at times unbelievable”. This is very true, but he also fails to mention ‘humble, inspirational and resilient’. I cannot recommend Born-again Blakfella enough. It’s a must read book, that is short but sweet. It would make a great gift for that hard to buy for person and anyone who likes to read, even if they aren’t big non-fiction fans. It’s more than deserving of ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and best enjoyed with a cup of tea and a biscuit.
To play along with my book bingo and to see what else I’m reading, go to #ktbookbingo and @kt_elder on Instagram.
🚨 Warning - the sexual and physical assault and drug use in this memoir may be a trigger warning for some readers 🚨
There isn’t many hats that Aboriginal Elder Jack Charles hasn’t worn throughout his seventy eight years. Removed as an infant from his mother as part of The Stolen Generation; he was institutionalised and then physically, sexually and psychologically abused throughout his childhood. Hoping for better teen years, a search for his Aboriginal identity instead led to years of being a cat burglar, prisoner and drug addict.
Despite his life careering down a road of self-destruction, Charles managed to pull on the hand break often enough to discover a love for the arts. As a poet, potter and most famously, an actor; Charles graced the stage and screen whilst contemporaneously turning his life around from a ‘stereotype’ to a leader, activist and Elder.
Proving that good things come in small packages and that you should never judge a book by it’s cover; Born-again Blakfella is a hilarious, raw and poignant memoir that should be read by everyone.
Jack Charles has the gift of a gab and can spin a yarn like no other. His memoir alternates between cheeky yarns, laugh out loud moments, raw and unflinching honesty, and horrific trauma. It packs a punch and leaves no stone unturned. I really appreciated this no holds bar approach and the ability of Charles to make it through life in the manner that he has. I don’t think I could be as forgiving as he is, but it’s obvious that he has a zest of life that nothing can impede. He writes from the heart and there is something seriously wrong with you if you are not moved by this memoir.
Charles sum up his life as “drugged up, locked up, fucked up, and at times unbelievable”. This is very true, but he also fails to mention ‘humble, inspirational and resilient’. I cannot recommend Born-again Blakfella enough. It’s a must read book, that is short but sweet. It would make a great gift for that hard to buy for person and anyone who likes to read, even if they aren’t big non-fiction fans. It’s more than deserving of ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and best enjoyed with a cup of tea and a biscuit.
To play along with my book bingo and to see what else I’m reading, go to #ktbookbingo and @kt_elder on Instagram.
August 29, 2022
I was at personal odds with this one. The writing was very easy to read and in fact I read it in a day. I know this book was loved by many in bookclub (won’t give a book overview as we have many times previously), but at the core, after being burgled twice myself I did not appreciate the flippant tales surrounding the burglaries. As you know the last time I was burgled it was a horrendous crime scene with blood and loss on fairly much 80% of my home, I really struggled with the las a faire commentary around burglary. Jack himself mentions this as one of his professions, which the wag of a man himself made this a characterful tale, however burglary was too sensitive for me… because of this I would give it a 3/5.
December 31, 2019
I’m not usually a memoir fan, but I was happy to give this a go when I found it as a library audio, and I’m so glad I did. The self narration is fantastic- Jack Charles really does have a brilliant voice, and it felt like he was just having a jolly good yarn with his audience. The story itself is well told and shared with honesty and authenticity (particularly the first half) and tells of both the devastating reality and incredible resilience of survivors of the stolen generation with humour and tenderness. Well worth a listen.
May 1, 2020
An extraordinary memoir by an extraordinary Australian. Jack Charles writes in a conversational, relaxed style, that makes you feel like you are sitting have a yarn with him. He speaks with honesty and humility, as he juxtaposes the political and social history of Australia alongside the various life events and experiences that shaped who he is today. He shows a deep love, compassion, and empathy for those who struggle with addiction, sexuality, racism, imprisonment, and abuse. A national treasure and a pure delight; he is somebody everybody could learn something from.
January 17, 2021
Jacks candour will have you laughing in stitches, and crying mere moments later. As he says in Chapter 1, "...those were some of the fun times that were had there, right alongside the dark moments". He doesn't shy away from the tough stuff, but he doesn't dwell there either. The 233 pages of this book are a brief glimpse into the life of Jack Charles, and so enthralling are these pages that I read it in one sitting! He is a national treasure, and I look forward to seeking out more of his work <3
October 29, 2019
Charles tells his story straight-up, all laid out on the table, his heart on his sleeve. Everyone is dealt a different hand in life, but Charles has definitely made the most of a very poor one. Good on him.
October 12, 2022
This is a terrific book. Charles got a really rotten deal in life - being taken from his mother when he was very young, placed in an institution as a ward of the state, punished by his foster mother for daring to explore his identity by being placed in another institution, abused verbally, physically and sexually, and then punished - or at least shunned - by the Aboriginal community for a crime his mother may or may not have committed. Years of crime, homelessness, drug addiction and imprisonment followed.
How remarkable, then, that at the age of 60, Charles manage to shrug all this off, go 'straight', and make the most of his talents as an actor - a career that had always been there in the background for him, but which he had never given himself a chance to develop to its full potential.
Jack must have been a remarkable man. To think of all the dreadfully painful experiences he endured, and yet retain his optimism about life and humanity. It must have been devastating to find that, in spite of being hailed as a celebrity at the highest level, taxi drivers would not pick him up because of the colour of his skin. How humiliating to experience this while entertaining guests from interstate.
This book is a excellent testament to a wonderful man.
How remarkable, then, that at the age of 60, Charles manage to shrug all this off, go 'straight', and make the most of his talents as an actor - a career that had always been there in the background for him, but which he had never given himself a chance to develop to its full potential.
Jack must have been a remarkable man. To think of all the dreadfully painful experiences he endured, and yet retain his optimism about life and humanity. It must have been devastating to find that, in spite of being hailed as a celebrity at the highest level, taxi drivers would not pick him up because of the colour of his skin. How humiliating to experience this while entertaining guests from interstate.
This book is a excellent testament to a wonderful man.
Read
March 12, 2025I cannot recommend the audio book version of this story enough, Uncle Jack was a fantastic performer, very funny and an engaging storyteller. The book feels very conversational in such an engaging way. (I don't like giving star ratings to memoirs as it feels weird but I do highly recommend this one!)
I was at the opening of an arts festival the morning after Uncle Jack's passing, news of his passing was shared with the audience and the loss of such a legend in the arts community was deeply felt. Uncle Jack was a performer, an activist, Elder, cat burglar, and so much more. Hearing his story in his own words, and with all his wise insights is such a privilege.
It is so important to hear Uncle Jack's story as a member of the Stolen Generation. We cannot allow ourselves to forget this part of our country's history, especially considering how recent it is, and that members of this generation are still alive today.
I was at the opening of an arts festival the morning after Uncle Jack's passing, news of his passing was shared with the audience and the loss of such a legend in the arts community was deeply felt. Uncle Jack was a performer, an activist, Elder, cat burglar, and so much more. Hearing his story in his own words, and with all his wise insights is such a privilege.
It is so important to hear Uncle Jack's story as a member of the Stolen Generation. We cannot allow ourselves to forget this part of our country's history, especially considering how recent it is, and that members of this generation are still alive today.
May 16, 2020
Loved this book. I was lucky enough to see Jack Charles at the 2019 Brisbane Writers Festival. What an entertainer & storyteller! And this memoir is a compelling story of the two worlds he lives in, often simultaneously. Both heartbreaking and inspiring, I found Jack’s book hard to put down. It is a story that will stay with me for a long time.
August 13, 2025
A moving and powerful memoir. I found it particularly engaging as I listened to it as an audiobook, with Uncle Jack Charles narrating. What a life! There were many moments that I was moved to tears and felt the shame of how our First Nations people have been treated in Australia. But also felt so much admiration at his resilience.
April 3, 2021
Devoured it in one sitting. Highly recommend.
September 27, 2022
What a powerful story. Had me absolutely hooked and finished it in a day. Would highly recommend listening to the audiobook, read by the man himself. This one will stay with me for a long time.
January 29, 2024
Such a good book and so well read by Uncle Jack. Very difficult to hear some of Uncle’s story, but feel so privileged that he has chosen to share it with Australia and the world.
February 3, 2025
I listened to this as an audiobook, read by Jack Charles himself and, what a ride! While I'm sure many will get a lot of the written version, I cannot recommend the audio version enough. Jack's voice and manner of reading is so engaging, like an old story teller of ancient times. Which I suppose he is, a story teller that is. His story is honest, funny but incredibly heartbreaking as well. What was done to him and so many other Aboriginal people is unforgiveable. And yet, Jack shows so much capacity to forgive when he can and come to terms with it all. A powerful, brave, moving memoir.
TW - sexual abuse, drug addiction, institutionalisation, Aboriginal stolen generation trauma
TW - sexual abuse, drug addiction, institutionalisation, Aboriginal stolen generation trauma
October 9, 2022
Such a compelling read. Made possibly even more compelling in the e-audiobook version, read by the late Uncle Jack Charles. To be able to hear his voice again so soon after he travelled off into the dreaming is a gift.
I have read the paper book several times previously, it is a title you can learn from with every read, and now the audiobook is available through my local library it is truly a gift to read it again and again. Listen to the rage in his beautiful voice at key points in his sharing his life
I have read the paper book several times previously, it is a title you can learn from with every read, and now the audiobook is available through my local library it is truly a gift to read it again and again. Listen to the rage in his beautiful voice at key points in his sharing his life
October 8, 2022
One of my best reads for the year or ever. I listened to the audio book and to hear Jack himself narrate was an absolute pleasure, that alone was five stars. But the content of this incredible memoir is totally mesmerising, I could not stop listening to the book; Jacks life experiences are amazing. He has an incredible sense of humour and is just an all round nice guy. Always truthful, Jacks words have the ability to make all readers think, his story is educational and told in an amazing and gentle way. Mandatory reading for all, Jacks words will stay with me forever, a wise and very compassionate man.
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