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Where We Begin
Seventeen-year-old Anna is running into the night. Fleeing her boyfriend, her mother, and everything she has known.
She is travelling into the country, to the land and the grandparents she has never met, looking for answers to questions that have never been asked.
For every family has secrets.
But some secrets - once laid bare - can never be forgiven.
She is travelling into the country, to the land and the grandparents she has never met, looking for answers to questions that have never been asked.
For every family has secrets.
But some secrets - once laid bare - can never be forgiven.
368 pages, Paperback
First published August 25, 2020
7 people are currently reading
276 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
November 21, 2020
Well that sure was 1000% more traumatic than anticipated.
What a mess.
Sigh.
Where do I begin? (See what I did there)
The blurb tells us Anna is running away from home. The destination: her grandparents' place (in country Victoria). Grandparents she has never met, so clearly there's a secret there. Plus, there's all the secrets surrounding why she's running. And secrets surrounding the weird relationship between Anna's grandparents and Leonie, an old friend of Anna's mum. Secrets, secrets, secrets. Eeeeeverybody's got secrets.
Sigh.
I hate secrets. Especially dark family secrets. I support Baz entirely on this one: 'Secrets are bullsh*t.'
But what can you do, other than power through the book and hope things turn out okay?
I'm gonna be straight up: the pain in this book is excruciating. But I guess that's what makes it important. It tells a tough story, but it's the same kind of story that so many people can relate to. There are so many elements to its pain that it's almost inevitable every reader will find something in it they relate to and/or empathise with.
For the cautious, here are your trigger warnings:
At first, I was a little annoyed by how much of an idiot Anna was being. But then this story just became so much bigger and it was like a ten-car pile-up I couldn't take my eyes off. I felt like the secrets were kind of oozing out unimportantly and I thought it was going to miss the mark because I could see where it was all headed but the way it all played out went and got my feelings involved and suddenly I was far more invested than I'd realised.
It's not a perfect novel - it has a point to make, and at times it can feel a little forced with its tactics (for example, emphasising the importance of having open, honest discussions is fantastic but doing so through a 17yr old girl who has literally run away from responsibility seems a bit off to me). It works very hard to offer an appropriate method of dealing with these problems and unforunately it does feel a little hollow in places. But the pain is real and the echoes of it at times feel incredibly overwhelming. This is a story about generations of pain, and as such it is ... well, if I'm honest ... it's kind of a downer.
This is another one of those books that I didn't really enjoy reading, because it was so damn depressing, but I really appreciated the story it told.
It's hard to elaborate further without divulging some of the book's secrets, so I'll just say that this is a book that will make you think, and feel, and want to understand people a little better. It will hopefully make you think about how far pain can carry, and how one small act can affect many lives, whether it be an act of cruelty, or an act of thoughtlessness, or an act of kindness.
I'm pretty messed up over this one, I think.
Not fun at all but an important, thought-provoking read that I highly recommend.
With thanks to Macmillan for an ARC
What a mess.
Sigh.
Where do I begin? (See what I did there)
The blurb tells us Anna is running away from home. The destination: her grandparents' place (in country Victoria). Grandparents she has never met, so clearly there's a secret there. Plus, there's all the secrets surrounding why she's running. And secrets surrounding the weird relationship between Anna's grandparents and Leonie, an old friend of Anna's mum. Secrets, secrets, secrets. Eeeeeverybody's got secrets.
Sigh.
I hate secrets. Especially dark family secrets. I support Baz entirely on this one: 'Secrets are bullsh*t.'
But what can you do, other than power through the book and hope things turn out okay?
I'm gonna be straight up: the pain in this book is excruciating. But I guess that's what makes it important. It tells a tough story, but it's the same kind of story that so many people can relate to. There are so many elements to its pain that it's almost inevitable every reader will find something in it they relate to and/or empathise with.
For the cautious, here are your trigger warnings:
At first, I was a little annoyed by how much of an idiot Anna was being. But then this story just became so much bigger and it was like a ten-car pile-up I couldn't take my eyes off. I felt like the secrets were kind of oozing out unimportantly and I thought it was going to miss the mark because I could see where it was all headed but the way it all played out went and got my feelings involved and suddenly I was far more invested than I'd realised.
It's not a perfect novel - it has a point to make, and at times it can feel a little forced with its tactics (for example, emphasising the importance of having open, honest discussions is fantastic but doing so through a 17yr old girl who has literally run away from responsibility seems a bit off to me). It works very hard to offer an appropriate method of dealing with these problems and unforunately it does feel a little hollow in places. But the pain is real and the echoes of it at times feel incredibly overwhelming. This is a story about generations of pain, and as such it is ... well, if I'm honest ... it's kind of a downer.
This is another one of those books that I didn't really enjoy reading, because it was so damn depressing, but I really appreciated the story it told.
It's hard to elaborate further without divulging some of the book's secrets, so I'll just say that this is a book that will make you think, and feel, and want to understand people a little better. It will hopefully make you think about how far pain can carry, and how one small act can affect many lives, whether it be an act of cruelty, or an act of thoughtlessness, or an act of kindness.
I'm pretty messed up over this one, I think.
Not fun at all but an important, thought-provoking read that I highly recommend.
With thanks to Macmillan for an ARC
October 9, 2020
Anna could see the ramshackle, debilitated home from the roadside as the coach drove into the night, the letter from her grandmother safely in her pocket. Anna departed Sydney for the small country town in Victoria, a life of uncertainty among the dry, desolate pastures, anxious and alone.
Anna's estranged grandparents hadn't expected their seventeen year old granddaughter to visit, considering their daughter abandoned the family home and her family before Anna was born. Anna is in turmoil, her mother is attending a business conference in New Zealand, her father visiting his dying father in Germany and Anna is pregnant, unbeknownst to her boyfriend Nassim.
Anna's narration is harrowing, she's anxious, alone and navigating a new relationship with her estranged grandparents. In her final year of school, Anna is intelligent and motivated, wanting to study medicine at university. Escaping to the small country town, Anna plans to abort her pregnancy. The nonlinear narration shifts between the present and the events leading to Anna's decision to leave, moments from her mother's adolescence as the past and present converge.
In the present day, Anna's mother Cathy is an absent parent, businesswoman, entrepreneur and alcoholic, Anna's father excusing her behaviour, encouraging Anna to practice understanding and forgiveness. Anna's relationship with her mother is irrevocably fractured when as she introduces her mother to Nassim, her boyfriend. Cathy overindulges and becomes verbally and physically abusive.
As the storyline unravels, we learn about Cathy's adolescence, her parents Bette and Hessel, a stoic and racist Danish man. The Krause family colonised the local Indigenous land, white farmers who decimated the landscape. As children, Cathy and Leonie shared a wonderful friendship, Leone an Indigenous girl who Cathy was forbidden to see. Leonie, a local nurse, remained in the small country town and raised a wonderful son in Basil. Cathy and Leonie are no longer in contact with one another.
First Nations communities continue to endure racism and prejudice and with the permission from the Dja Dja Wurrung community, Christie Nieman explores the Blood Hole Massacre, a horrific incident of genocide. Basil, Leonie's son, is a storyteller and a beautiful character. The life he's endured, carrying the stories of his community. Basil's enthusiasm and effervescence is infectious, his character is incredibly endearing and proudly Indigenous, although also recognising his colonist ancestry.
Where We Begin raises awareness and encourages discussion of family violence, alcoholism, adolescent pregnancy, abortion and physical and emotional abuse. First nations, colonisation, Indigenous genocide, prejudice and racism. Although the narrative is harrowing and poignant, Where We Begin is written with compassion, delicately and an intricate tenderness. Often we choose novels without realising the impact they leave upon us and as readers, we experience our world through fictional characters. When We Begin is a remarkable read and I thank Christie Nieman for sharing her words.
Anna's estranged grandparents hadn't expected their seventeen year old granddaughter to visit, considering their daughter abandoned the family home and her family before Anna was born. Anna is in turmoil, her mother is attending a business conference in New Zealand, her father visiting his dying father in Germany and Anna is pregnant, unbeknownst to her boyfriend Nassim.
Anna's narration is harrowing, she's anxious, alone and navigating a new relationship with her estranged grandparents. In her final year of school, Anna is intelligent and motivated, wanting to study medicine at university. Escaping to the small country town, Anna plans to abort her pregnancy. The nonlinear narration shifts between the present and the events leading to Anna's decision to leave, moments from her mother's adolescence as the past and present converge.
In the present day, Anna's mother Cathy is an absent parent, businesswoman, entrepreneur and alcoholic, Anna's father excusing her behaviour, encouraging Anna to practice understanding and forgiveness. Anna's relationship with her mother is irrevocably fractured when as she introduces her mother to Nassim, her boyfriend. Cathy overindulges and becomes verbally and physically abusive.
As the storyline unravels, we learn about Cathy's adolescence, her parents Bette and Hessel, a stoic and racist Danish man. The Krause family colonised the local Indigenous land, white farmers who decimated the landscape. As children, Cathy and Leonie shared a wonderful friendship, Leone an Indigenous girl who Cathy was forbidden to see. Leonie, a local nurse, remained in the small country town and raised a wonderful son in Basil. Cathy and Leonie are no longer in contact with one another.
First Nations communities continue to endure racism and prejudice and with the permission from the Dja Dja Wurrung community, Christie Nieman explores the Blood Hole Massacre, a horrific incident of genocide. Basil, Leonie's son, is a storyteller and a beautiful character. The life he's endured, carrying the stories of his community. Basil's enthusiasm and effervescence is infectious, his character is incredibly endearing and proudly Indigenous, although also recognising his colonist ancestry.
Where We Begin raises awareness and encourages discussion of family violence, alcoholism, adolescent pregnancy, abortion and physical and emotional abuse. First nations, colonisation, Indigenous genocide, prejudice and racism. Although the narrative is harrowing and poignant, Where We Begin is written with compassion, delicately and an intricate tenderness. Often we choose novels without realising the impact they leave upon us and as readers, we experience our world through fictional characters. When We Begin is a remarkable read and I thank Christie Nieman for sharing her words.
January 1, 2021
Read this book whilst on holidays because I’d read all the other books I’d brought with me. It was my teenage daughters book and I had to keep reminding myself this was written for teenagers. With that in mind, it’s a good book and I enjoyed it much more than I thought I would with an edge of mystery surrounding the story. However, it deals with bigs themes, but dealt with them one dimensionally in a simplistic, “all will be ok no matter what” fashion, I guess good for a YA but not very realistic. Big decisions always bring big consequences.
August 22, 2020
This one is deliberately scarce on details, as I think it's one best going into with less detail. Anna is seventeen and a straight A student, completing her studies with the goal of studying medicine to become a doctor. She is off to visit grandparents she has never met, trying to escape her boyfriend and mother and make a new start, reasons for which become apparent throughout. But when she arrives, she realises that the family dynamics are far more complex than her mother had ever let on and a mystery unfolds.
This was a YA novel, but it has some adult themes throughout and it definitely had an element of mystery that I quite enjoyed. I enjoyed the supporting cast, the fractured family relationships, the secrets and mystery, that all drew me in and it was memorable.
The author does write about First Nations People and has received the permission of Dja Dja Wurrung Aboriginal Clans Corporation for the use of the Dja Dja Wurrung words in the novel and has clearly consulted with First Nations Peoples in the writing of her novel.
This was a YA novel, but it has some adult themes throughout and it definitely had an element of mystery that I quite enjoyed. I enjoyed the supporting cast, the fractured family relationships, the secrets and mystery, that all drew me in and it was memorable.
The author does write about First Nations People and has received the permission of Dja Dja Wurrung Aboriginal Clans Corporation for the use of the Dja Dja Wurrung words in the novel and has clearly consulted with First Nations Peoples in the writing of her novel.
April 11, 2021
I picked up this book on the basis of having loved Christie’s debut novel, As Stars Fall, and this did not disappoint.
The novel opens with Anna arriving at her her grandparents house in central Victoria unannounced, late at night. What is she running away from? Has she made a terrible mistake, turning to her grandparents whom her mother has told her nothing about?
This is gothic Australian YA, crafted very carefully, layer upon layer, blending themes of colonialism, racism, intergenerational trauma and the harm that comes from keeping secrets and protecting family shame. Right from the start, something is not quite right, and slowly the layers unravel - gently at first, but from halfway through this book I could not put it down, and it made for compelling reading.
But there’s no sense in spoiling anything - I recommend going into it cold, and letting the story unfold as it should.
The novel opens with Anna arriving at her her grandparents house in central Victoria unannounced, late at night. What is she running away from? Has she made a terrible mistake, turning to her grandparents whom her mother has told her nothing about?
This is gothic Australian YA, crafted very carefully, layer upon layer, blending themes of colonialism, racism, intergenerational trauma and the harm that comes from keeping secrets and protecting family shame. Right from the start, something is not quite right, and slowly the layers unravel - gently at first, but from halfway through this book I could not put it down, and it made for compelling reading.
But there’s no sense in spoiling anything - I recommend going into it cold, and letting the story unfold as it should.
Read
April 21, 2021Where We Begin is a beautiful story about belonging.
Everything is a bit of a mystery when you start reading Where We Begin. The blurb on the back of the book is vague and the start of the story places our main character alone on bus, we don’t know where she is going or why. We don’t know where she has come from. We don’t know why she left or what she is going to. We don’t even know her name. It’s hard to write a review without revealing these mysteries, so if you want the authentic experience, go, read the book and then come back.
Where We Begin weaves into its story powerful truths about the history of Australia, racism, teenage relationships, family and domestic violence, alcoholism and its effects, and storytelling. The title makes so much sense to so many aspects of the story once you’ve read the book. Honestly, there is so much to love about this book, from our studious and determined main character who is thrown into a spin over her new circumstances, the trauma she has experienced throughout her childhood and the new pain she experiences as she learns the truth about her family and past.
Yet for all the hurt and pain, for the remembering, there is a lot of joy in this book. Thanks in part to my favourite character Basil. He’s awesome. But as we learn, just because he is positive and funny doesn’t mean he isn’t so much more than that.
A beautiful, complicated story. There are so many wrongs that need to be acknowledged, so much hurt to be fixed. It’s hard to know where to start but books like this are a good beginning, I think.
Find more reviews, reading age guides, content advisory, and recommendations on my blog Madison's Library
Everything is a bit of a mystery when you start reading Where We Begin. The blurb on the back of the book is vague and the start of the story places our main character alone on bus, we don’t know where she is going or why. We don’t know where she has come from. We don’t know why she left or what she is going to. We don’t even know her name. It’s hard to write a review without revealing these mysteries, so if you want the authentic experience, go, read the book and then come back.
Where We Begin weaves into its story powerful truths about the history of Australia, racism, teenage relationships, family and domestic violence, alcoholism and its effects, and storytelling. The title makes so much sense to so many aspects of the story once you’ve read the book. Honestly, there is so much to love about this book, from our studious and determined main character who is thrown into a spin over her new circumstances, the trauma she has experienced throughout her childhood and the new pain she experiences as she learns the truth about her family and past.
Yet for all the hurt and pain, for the remembering, there is a lot of joy in this book. Thanks in part to my favourite character Basil. He’s awesome. But as we learn, just because he is positive and funny doesn’t mean he isn’t so much more than that.
A beautiful, complicated story. There are so many wrongs that need to be acknowledged, so much hurt to be fixed. It’s hard to know where to start but books like this are a good beginning, I think.
Find more reviews, reading age guides, content advisory, and recommendations on my blog Madison's Library
July 24, 2021
This is the final book in the Children's Book Council YA shortlist for 2021. I found this didn't really get going until the last quarter. I don't know if I'd just read too many YA in a row (as a 50 year old woman, I love YA, but do find I get a bit exasperated with them if I read several in a row - most probably a hangover from not being the target audience!) or if I struggled with one of the themes, but I just didn't engage with it.
I was glad that it didn't go in a direction I was worried it would at one point.
I was totally engrossed in the ending and liked the way everything came together, I just think the time spent getting there could have been better.
I was glad that it didn't go in a direction I was worried it would at one point.
I was totally engrossed in the ending and liked the way everything came together, I just think the time spent getting there could have been better.
October 27, 2023
This started off pretty good but ended up falling flat towards the end :/ I was rolling my eyes about every second paragraph while reading the last few chapters. The characters deal with generational trauma, violence, racism, substance abuse, teen pregnancy, etc, but don’t worry because ~everything works out in the end~. And they all lived happily ever after!! Ugh. It has a bit of a mystery plot but was still predictable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
tbr-owned-book
April 14, 2025I love loved loved As Stars Fall, so I should love this? I've heard its depressing as hell. Wish me luck.
April 2, 2021
A complex and beautiful novel of lies, betrayals, secrets and the threads that tie families together. Pretty much read in one sitting.
January 10, 2022
Incredible YA novel tackling some complex themes in a super tasteful and encouraging way for that age group. Written in a thriller style which I enjoyed a lot
April 12, 2025
read for school. it could have been really good but I didn't gel with the writing style and generally didn't know what was going on for most of the book.
July 16, 2021
Ok, so this is shortlisted for the CBCA older reader book of the year but I don’t think it’s a strong contender. It’s jam packed full of contemporary topics, and when I say jam-packed, wowsers! Sometimes too much is too much. In this book we have- teenage pregnancy, running away from home, alcoholism, family violence and child abuse, generational trauma, racism, misogyny and indigenous genocide. I think that’s it.
I just think it would have been better to focus on some, rather than all of these and I think that’s the job of a good editor to recognise this and tell the author to pull it back a tad.
I just think it would have been better to focus on some, rather than all of these and I think that’s the job of a good editor to recognise this and tell the author to pull it back a tad.
May 8, 2021
SPOILERS and swearing!
Frank and fearless exploration of young adulthood, family violence, intergenerational trauma, alcoholism, pregnancy, abortion, land theft, racism, academic excellence, massacres, blak history, white shitfuckery, cousins, caring, love.
Frank and fearless exploration of young adulthood, family violence, intergenerational trauma, alcoholism, pregnancy, abortion, land theft, racism, academic excellence, massacres, blak history, white shitfuckery, cousins, caring, love.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 9, 2020
Does a lot of things right. Extremely well crafted novel.
March 10, 2021
Feeling a bit disappointed in this one, considering it’s a 2021 Notable.
March 27, 2021
Not appropriate for year 7-9 students.
October 4, 2021
Did not finish
September 8, 2020
Immediately we’re drawn into the world of Anna, yes we have questions as she rocks up on her grandparents’ doorstep unannounced but Nieman wrote it mysteriously where we’re not entirely left in the dark. We can come up with our own theories as the book flows gradually at a steady pace. One moment you think you know what’s going on, then—BOOM—something else occurs. Yet not too much to tear it away from the central idea. There was foreshadowing—once, if I’m not mistaken, and it was presented well enough for us to make a judgment but not cloud around it.
Nieman’s descriptive language was beautiful to read. Not too detailed and not lacking to a point where you’re just reading a book. The way she explained the countryside, it’s as if I was there with Anna exploring unfamiliar surroundings as she went. At the end of the book, I always glance at the acknowledgments and author’s note to perhaps see how thorough the author goes into for research and wow! I’m happy. Particularly at the start of chapter thirteen.
Anna was an ordinary teenager who had goals and dreams. Nothing stood in her way of achieving them. Until recent events. Until her boyfriend and her family’s past blowing up in her face. Throughout the entire book to me, it felt like Anna was the bystander of what had to erupt eventually within her family, and then there’s she with her own problems to deal with. She’s smart, caring yet knows when to put her foot down and say, enough is enough. Yet I wished she looked at some situations through the eyes of others. I know, she went through a lot. I don’t want to spoil this wonderful book, but she went through A LOT in a span of what? A few weeks? Overall, it would’ve made some of her decisions easier if she saw it from someone else’s point of view (Nassim, Basil, Leonie, or her mother).
Gosh, there’re so many characters to talk about in this book! Which one to tackle without giving spoilers, hmm… I could talk about Bette, Anna’s grandma who gave me weird vibes. Not the suspicious ones but weird as in, she was there but not entirely there. It sort of added to her age and what she went through with never seeing her grandchild. A few times she calls Anna by her mother’s name because they look so alike. In small ways, Bette added to the plot and moved it further. I wished we’d gotten more from her in the end :(
I’d love to talk about Hessel, the grandpa who doesn’t like to be called grandpa because it makes him feel old. A small statement that undeniably carries so much weight. Hessel still thought he was the man that he was all those years ago. He’s the typical old man who doesn’t want to adapt and liked things his way. He was dominating, and to poor Bette, he masked it so well. Kudos to Nieman, who wrote such a complex character. Hessel sparked the fury within me. He sort of reminded me of my grandparents and their thinking. That was another relatable trait in this book.
Leonie, who deserved the world from the start! An Aboriginal mother with an awesome kid named Basil. You’ll love him. He added humor and ease to Anna’s country life, who so far had just been surrounded by adults. Yet Leonie was so strong and had such courage for reasons we find out later to stick through all of Hessel’s racist nonsense and the Krause’s drama yet still be there for Bette as a nurse. Compared to when she was younger, now she shrugged Hessel off because times have changed and hopefully, racism isn’t tolerated!
I loved the mystery, and suspense carried throughout this novel. It didn’t drag and once you think it did, something else filled their shoes for the time being, so I was always on my toes with this one! So much that I read it in less than two days. As things resolved and I realized what would happen, it didn’t tear my excitement away. Rather, it made me more eager to see how it would end!
Racism and privilege are probably the key themes in this book. It’s so widespread and written in a way where you have to read the sentence twice to realize—whoa, that character doesn’t realize how entitled they are or how good they’ve had it compared to a minority. The book delves deep into Anna’s and her mother’s life, and sometimes we get a peek of the past. To know what happened then and to realize what’s being repeated. It’s sad to read. It’s sad to know that the amount of hatred and racism within Hessel is still clear from all those years ago. That Leonie is still fighting this battle like many people of color are today.
This was one topic that brought me to tears and when Basil explained the Blood Hole massacre. To think about how comfortable and carefree, some people live on stolen land and still spit remarks to those they’ve taken it from. It’s truly tragic.
Nieman’s descriptive language was beautiful to read. Not too detailed and not lacking to a point where you’re just reading a book. The way she explained the countryside, it’s as if I was there with Anna exploring unfamiliar surroundings as she went. At the end of the book, I always glance at the acknowledgments and author’s note to perhaps see how thorough the author goes into for research and wow! I’m happy. Particularly at the start of chapter thirteen.
Anna was an ordinary teenager who had goals and dreams. Nothing stood in her way of achieving them. Until recent events. Until her boyfriend and her family’s past blowing up in her face. Throughout the entire book to me, it felt like Anna was the bystander of what had to erupt eventually within her family, and then there’s she with her own problems to deal with. She’s smart, caring yet knows when to put her foot down and say, enough is enough. Yet I wished she looked at some situations through the eyes of others. I know, she went through a lot. I don’t want to spoil this wonderful book, but she went through A LOT in a span of what? A few weeks? Overall, it would’ve made some of her decisions easier if she saw it from someone else’s point of view (Nassim, Basil, Leonie, or her mother).
Gosh, there’re so many characters to talk about in this book! Which one to tackle without giving spoilers, hmm… I could talk about Bette, Anna’s grandma who gave me weird vibes. Not the suspicious ones but weird as in, she was there but not entirely there. It sort of added to her age and what she went through with never seeing her grandchild. A few times she calls Anna by her mother’s name because they look so alike. In small ways, Bette added to the plot and moved it further. I wished we’d gotten more from her in the end :(
I’d love to talk about Hessel, the grandpa who doesn’t like to be called grandpa because it makes him feel old. A small statement that undeniably carries so much weight. Hessel still thought he was the man that he was all those years ago. He’s the typical old man who doesn’t want to adapt and liked things his way. He was dominating, and to poor Bette, he masked it so well. Kudos to Nieman, who wrote such a complex character. Hessel sparked the fury within me. He sort of reminded me of my grandparents and their thinking. That was another relatable trait in this book.
Leonie, who deserved the world from the start! An Aboriginal mother with an awesome kid named Basil. You’ll love him. He added humor and ease to Anna’s country life, who so far had just been surrounded by adults. Yet Leonie was so strong and had such courage for reasons we find out later to stick through all of Hessel’s racist nonsense and the Krause’s drama yet still be there for Bette as a nurse. Compared to when she was younger, now she shrugged Hessel off because times have changed and hopefully, racism isn’t tolerated!
I loved the mystery, and suspense carried throughout this novel. It didn’t drag and once you think it did, something else filled their shoes for the time being, so I was always on my toes with this one! So much that I read it in less than two days. As things resolved and I realized what would happen, it didn’t tear my excitement away. Rather, it made me more eager to see how it would end!
Racism and privilege are probably the key themes in this book. It’s so widespread and written in a way where you have to read the sentence twice to realize—whoa, that character doesn’t realize how entitled they are or how good they’ve had it compared to a minority. The book delves deep into Anna’s and her mother’s life, and sometimes we get a peek of the past. To know what happened then and to realize what’s being repeated. It’s sad to read. It’s sad to know that the amount of hatred and racism within Hessel is still clear from all those years ago. That Leonie is still fighting this battle like many people of color are today.
This was one topic that brought me to tears and when Basil explained the Blood Hole massacre. To think about how comfortable and carefree, some people live on stolen land and still spit remarks to those they’ve taken it from. It’s truly tragic.
June 6, 2021
What an amazing read this turned out to be. A coming of age story and a family mystery, where the main protagonist, Anna Krause, a seventeen-year-old girl living in Sydney, with her mostly absent mum and dad, who is totally focused on one thing only: becoming a doctor. Study consumes her life until she falls under the spell of Nassim who respects her study time but also convinces her to have some personal time too. However, a combination of events send her running to the grandparents her mother has never talked about in rural Victoria.
Nieman weaves so many threads into this story, woven together and then carefully unravelled to explore many complex themes. At the core is family - prejudice, physical abuse, alcohol abuse, pregnancy and abortion, love, secrets, shame and fear - with each family member contributing a different perspective. Predominantly explored through Anna's eyes, there are also historical events seen through the eyes of her mother Cathy, at the same age, unfolding the friendships and then tragedies that unfolded at the time and festered to the present day. And aligned with this and told through the eyes of Basil and mother Leonie, a story of a land lost to Dutch settlers, country decimated and a tribe all but wiped out as their land is lost. The slow reveal of this aspect of Australia's brutal early white history is artfully told, through the voice of Basil as he shares with Anna the history of his people and their destruction.
Acknowledgements at the end of this book reflect the careful research Nieman has undergone, and the consultation with local elders, to accurately portray this shameful aspect of Australian history.
An excellent read for older teens, with challenging but contemporary, realistic and challenging themes.
Shortlisted for the 2021 CBCA Book of the Year: Older Readers
Nieman weaves so many threads into this story, woven together and then carefully unravelled to explore many complex themes. At the core is family - prejudice, physical abuse, alcohol abuse, pregnancy and abortion, love, secrets, shame and fear - with each family member contributing a different perspective. Predominantly explored through Anna's eyes, there are also historical events seen through the eyes of her mother Cathy, at the same age, unfolding the friendships and then tragedies that unfolded at the time and festered to the present day. And aligned with this and told through the eyes of Basil and mother Leonie, a story of a land lost to Dutch settlers, country decimated and a tribe all but wiped out as their land is lost. The slow reveal of this aspect of Australia's brutal early white history is artfully told, through the voice of Basil as he shares with Anna the history of his people and their destruction.
Acknowledgements at the end of this book reflect the careful research Nieman has undergone, and the consultation with local elders, to accurately portray this shameful aspect of Australian history.
An excellent read for older teens, with challenging but contemporary, realistic and challenging themes.
Shortlisted for the 2021 CBCA Book of the Year: Older Readers
June 15, 2021
Lovely writing and refreshing story with compelling twists and turns. Modern-day Australian country town life, mother/daughter relationship, first nation relationships, and community roles, friendships, racism, and VCE romance. Family communications and secrets revealed as we see life through VCE student, Anna. Christie incorporates the Indigenous history of the local area of Moolort Plains in central Victoria and gives an account of the black hole massacre. The indigenous bloodline is delivered into this story with respect and sensitivity. I feel it's an important and mature way for older students to understand our heritage.
When tackling these important current themes, Christie writes with intelligence and it's riveting storytelling. This is a novel for mature readers from Yr 10 upwards.
When tackling these important current themes, Christie writes with intelligence and it's riveting storytelling. This is a novel for mature readers from Yr 10 upwards.
October 3, 2021
Like Lisa Fuller's 'Ghost Bird' and Tara June Winch's 'The Yield', this is a tightly-written novel where the tension builds till all the pieces of the puzzle fit into place.
17 year old Anna Krause is in her final year of school, and is determined to become a doctor. She wants to be nothing like her own mother, Cathy - who is driven, successful, but desperately fighting her own demons. In a crazy turn of events, Anna, who can brook no study distractions, starts a relationship with the wonderful Nassim, and discovers the whereabouts of her maternal grandparents, whom she has never met nor even heard of. In a sudden crisis, she flees to her grandparents' country sheep farm in remote country Victoria. Unannounced, she arrives at their door and finds the love and longing she has been looking for.... or does she?
17 year old Anna Krause is in her final year of school, and is determined to become a doctor. She wants to be nothing like her own mother, Cathy - who is driven, successful, but desperately fighting her own demons. In a crazy turn of events, Anna, who can brook no study distractions, starts a relationship with the wonderful Nassim, and discovers the whereabouts of her maternal grandparents, whom she has never met nor even heard of. In a sudden crisis, she flees to her grandparents' country sheep farm in remote country Victoria. Unannounced, she arrives at their door and finds the love and longing she has been looking for.... or does she?
August 31, 2020
I really enjoyed this one from Christie Nieman and once I had started reading I had a lot of trouble putting it down! I thought it was so wonderfully written and I loved the hint of mystery that was present throughout the story as it was quietly haunting and had me quickly turning the pages to find out what was going to happen! I really liked the characters and the way the family dynamics and secrets were explored and I also thought Christie did an amazing job setting the scene of a small remote town. There are some adult themes throughout but I did think these were addressed in a way that the YA audience will be able to relate to. Overall a wonderful Australian YA novel that you should add to your reading list!
September 13, 2020
Family secrets always surface eventually.
Anna jumps of a bus and heads into the middle of nowhere leaving her mother and boyfriend with no clue where she is. She heads to her estranged grandparents house, having never met them in her life.
She’s greeted by her timid grandmother and settled in to her mothers old room. The next morning she meets her stern grandfather and begins exploring their home. Pretty quickly she starts noticing things don’t quote add up.
Anna is running from her perfect world. She sets her expectations for her HSC and life so high that the unexpected happened. It’s time to face reality. Then her mother arrives and it’s time to face the music.
There’s a reason her mother does speak to her parents and Anna wants to know why. But some secrets, once laid bare, can never be forgiven. I loved how this YA novel touched on so many topics and includes the First Nations people, The Dja Dja Wurrung people.
Anna jumps of a bus and heads into the middle of nowhere leaving her mother and boyfriend with no clue where she is. She heads to her estranged grandparents house, having never met them in her life.
She’s greeted by her timid grandmother and settled in to her mothers old room. The next morning she meets her stern grandfather and begins exploring their home. Pretty quickly she starts noticing things don’t quote add up.
Anna is running from her perfect world. She sets her expectations for her HSC and life so high that the unexpected happened. It’s time to face reality. Then her mother arrives and it’s time to face the music.
There’s a reason her mother does speak to her parents and Anna wants to know why. But some secrets, once laid bare, can never be forgiven. I loved how this YA novel touched on so many topics and includes the First Nations people, The Dja Dja Wurrung people.
November 20, 2021
I read where we begin in about a week, it was a really gripping story and I found myself looking forward to reading it.
This was a really well told story in which Anna runs from home because of secrets within family, to her grandparents house in the middle of regional Victoria whom she has never met. This was a really messy but good novel that deals with real world problems like abuse, racism, teen pregnancy, family complications and Australia's horrific attempt at getting rid of the aboriginal population when white settlers first appeared. This book is really good in getting the message across on uncomfortable subjects by being incredibly direct that they cant be overlooked.
This is a definite must read.
This was a really well told story in which Anna runs from home because of secrets within family, to her grandparents house in the middle of regional Victoria whom she has never met. This was a really messy but good novel that deals with real world problems like abuse, racism, teen pregnancy, family complications and Australia's horrific attempt at getting rid of the aboriginal population when white settlers first appeared. This book is really good in getting the message across on uncomfortable subjects by being incredibly direct that they cant be overlooked.
This is a definite must read.
March 16, 2026
This book started off surprisingly strong. An interesting main character and plotline....
And then it was one silly decision after another with the miscommunication trope. I read this with my niece who is just getting into YA and she was so frustrated that Anna ran off like she did. Add in some f-words to try and be relevant... we both ended up DNFing this book.
Very sad, but this book is about drama for drama sake and too focused on everything being tied up perfectly and everyone okay - a poor example I feel of contemporary books. If the main character had been 15 and pregnant we both might have been more lenient with her poor thought process - but she's 17.
Will not be attempting any other books by this author.
And then it was one silly decision after another with the miscommunication trope. I read this with my niece who is just getting into YA and she was so frustrated that Anna ran off like she did. Add in some f-words to try and be relevant... we both ended up DNFing this book.
Very sad, but this book is about drama for drama sake and too focused on everything being tied up perfectly and everyone okay - a poor example I feel of contemporary books. If the main character had been 15 and pregnant we both might have been more lenient with her poor thought process - but she's 17.
Will not be attempting any other books by this author.
February 7, 2021
Studious seventeen year old Anna is the last one you would expect to flee from her mother and boyfriend into the 'arms' of grandparents she has never met. What are the secrets that her family holds? Why has her mother never told her anything of her younger life? And could this be linked to her current alcohol issues? This dark and compelling coming of age YA novel twists and turns and holds a number of surprises. However, although an acknowledgement of white exploitation of early aboriginals and land rights is refreshing to see, this element seems clunky and added on for popular appeal. Apart from this, highly recommended.
April 13, 2021
Had me hooked. Country setting and I was reading it whilst in the country. Funnily lots of mention of mice on the land, and I was experiencing that in real life as well. So made the reading experience more believable.
Lots of themes - racism, indigenous (stolen lands), disability, family disagreements, old traditions and old school male thinking. So lots of topically aspects relevant to 2021.
Anna has an alcoholic mum, a boyfriend of a different race, a secret disabled uncle, a cousin of aboriginal decent, an abusive grandfather and she is pregnant. So there is a lot going on in this teenagers life
Can see why it’s been nominated for the CBCA awards
Lots to talk about - really enjoyed it
Lots of themes - racism, indigenous (stolen lands), disability, family disagreements, old traditions and old school male thinking. So lots of topically aspects relevant to 2021.
Anna has an alcoholic mum, a boyfriend of a different race, a secret disabled uncle, a cousin of aboriginal decent, an abusive grandfather and she is pregnant. So there is a lot going on in this teenagers life
Can see why it’s been nominated for the CBCA awards
Lots to talk about - really enjoyed it
March 11, 2021
I honestly don’t know what to say. This book isn’t fun to read, but oh my. It was thought provoking, upsetting and heartbreaking with specks of warmth, love and light scattered throughout. This book is heavy as heck, and I think I will retreat into silence for the next few hours and just think. Think about the stories I’ve just read and the pain of the people who the stories belong to. Because the themes and stories presented in this novel, although mostly fictional, are all too real in this troubled world we live in.
August 13, 2021
Written in Anna’s own voice, this is the story of a seventeen year old girl whose only goal is to study medicine. She is completing Year 12, and avoids all distractions to ensure she achieves the highest ATAR she can. When something unexpected happens, she runs away to her grandparents’ house in the country (she has never met them) and family secrets unravel. I love how this book goes back in time and explores Anna’s Mum’s life as well. It is a story about relationships, and its use of humour helps you to connect with Anna. I recommend this for Year 10+.
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