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Beyond Alice
A humorous and inspiring story of strength, resilience and the realities of Australian outback life
In 1975, twelve-year-old Tanya leaves her isolated home in outback Australia and is sent sixteen hundred kilometres south to a girls' boarding school for an education the bush can't provide. The freedom of her young life gives way to an unfriendly world of stone and concrete, high walls, small skies, dress uniforms, and endless rules that make no sense.
In common with many children of the outback, Tanya has little experience of life beyond the bush, stockmen and horses. She struggles to adjust to this cold place, run by harsh, authoritarian figures, where every moment is controlled by bells, timetables and stern words. Yet, over time, her fellow boarders become her new family and Tanya survives both by writing, and by telling her stories of family, race meetings, gymkhanas, campdrafts and stock camps to enthralled friends.
She emerges strong and resilient, ready to face whatever comes next. Warm, humorous and uplifting, this is the story of a smallgirl who triumphs.
In 1975, twelve-year-old Tanya leaves her isolated home in outback Australia and is sent sixteen hundred kilometres south to a girls' boarding school for an education the bush can't provide. The freedom of her young life gives way to an unfriendly world of stone and concrete, high walls, small skies, dress uniforms, and endless rules that make no sense.
In common with many children of the outback, Tanya has little experience of life beyond the bush, stockmen and horses. She struggles to adjust to this cold place, run by harsh, authoritarian figures, where every moment is controlled by bells, timetables and stern words. Yet, over time, her fellow boarders become her new family and Tanya survives both by writing, and by telling her stories of family, race meetings, gymkhanas, campdrafts and stock camps to enthralled friends.
She emerges strong and resilient, ready to face whatever comes next. Warm, humorous and uplifting, this is the story of a smallgirl who triumphs.
309 pages, Paperback
Published May 4, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
January 24, 2022
In 1975 twelve-year-old Tanya Heaslip goes off to boarding school in Adelaide, South Australia and leaves her outback home a place that couldn’t provide her with an education. This was going to be an entirely new experience for Tanya and she was dreading it. Leaving her family and her beloved horse Nero was going to be difficult, but sitting in a classroom full of kids she didn’t know, wearing a uniform and getting used to numerous rules was something Tanya was not looking forward to.
As we follow Tanya through her journey we find out how she copes with her days at boarding school and as we soon discover how tough it can be. But as the years pass we also see how Tanya becomes a stronger woman and starts to make her own life in the world.
Beyond Alice, by Australian author, Tanya Heaslip is a well-written biography that I found very interesting and I look forward to reading more by this author. Highly recommended.
As we follow Tanya through her journey we find out how she copes with her days at boarding school and as we soon discover how tough it can be. But as the years pass we also see how Tanya becomes a stronger woman and starts to make her own life in the world.
Beyond Alice, by Australian author, Tanya Heaslip is a well-written biography that I found very interesting and I look forward to reading more by this author. Highly recommended.
May 2, 2021
It was 1975 when twelve-year-old Tanya Heaslip left her bush home in the Northern Territory not too far from Alice Springs for a boarding school in Adelaide, South Australia. The 1600 kilometres between the two places was daunting, but to Tanya, leaving her beloved parents and siblings, plus her horse Nero and the many other things she loved, was the hardest. Tanya had only ever done school-of-the-air, so had never sat in a classroom situation, so immediately she stood out. But the Methodist Ladies College, cold, steeped in tradition, filled with mistresses that were uncaring and harsh, was terrifying for Tanya (as well as many other First Year boarders)
It wasn’t long before Tanya was bullied – she was short, uncertain and scared, so a target for those who had a penchant for bullying. A girl named Treena became a good friend, standing by Tanya’s side and protecting her when she could. And Treena would remain a friend right through the five years at MLC. The holidays couldn’t come soon enough, and Tanya would settle in at home, until suddenly it was time to go back. Would she survive her time in boarding school? Tanya developed a circle of friends who had each other’s backs, supporting one another through harsh discipline and even harsher punishments…
Beyond Alice is the second I’ve read by Aussie author Tanya Heaslip and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Although nonfiction, it reads as a fiction story would, flowing well, with the horrors of boarding school standing out. I can’t believe – well I suppose I can (it was 1975 after all) – how horrible the people in charge of the boarders were. How the headmistress even told young first year boarders they were there because their parents didn’t love them anymore!! Can you imagine what that would do to a fragile and impressionable twelve-year-old?! Beyond Alice, along with Alice to Prague (her first) and An Alice Girl (which I loved) show how Tanya’s love of reading and writing as a youngster, led the way with her books. Highly recommended.
With thanks to Allen & Unwin AU for my ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
It wasn’t long before Tanya was bullied – she was short, uncertain and scared, so a target for those who had a penchant for bullying. A girl named Treena became a good friend, standing by Tanya’s side and protecting her when she could. And Treena would remain a friend right through the five years at MLC. The holidays couldn’t come soon enough, and Tanya would settle in at home, until suddenly it was time to go back. Would she survive her time in boarding school? Tanya developed a circle of friends who had each other’s backs, supporting one another through harsh discipline and even harsher punishments…
Beyond Alice is the second I’ve read by Aussie author Tanya Heaslip and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Although nonfiction, it reads as a fiction story would, flowing well, with the horrors of boarding school standing out. I can’t believe – well I suppose I can (it was 1975 after all) – how horrible the people in charge of the boarders were. How the headmistress even told young first year boarders they were there because their parents didn’t love them anymore!! Can you imagine what that would do to a fragile and impressionable twelve-year-old?! Beyond Alice, along with Alice to Prague (her first) and An Alice Girl (which I loved) show how Tanya’s love of reading and writing as a youngster, led the way with her books. Highly recommended.
With thanks to Allen & Unwin AU for my ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
February 12, 2024
I liked this better than Alice to Prague but not as much as Alice Girl. The latter is so full of joy, where the other two, especially this one, are often quite a slog of sad feelings and homesickness. Still, a very interesting and vivid read.
June 14, 2021
For the past 30+ years, I’ve dined out on stories from my boarding school experiences. I’ve regaled folks with tales of weekend gatings, being allowed only one ‘hate’ food (which had to be pre-recorded into a book on head table), regulation maroon Bonds cottontails, handwashing our uniforms and clothing, and limited home leave. As people who didn’t experience boarding school in the 1980s look at me in disbelief, I’ve sometimes second-guessed my memories. Was it really as I remembered? Or have some of these stories taken on a life of their own over the years?
Reading Tanya Heaslip’s Beyond Alice has reassured me that it was *exactly* as I remember. This book is the third part of her memoir, but it stands alone, as it focuses on her time at boarding school in Adelaide from 1975 to 1980. My own boarding experience was a few years later, and in another state, but the similarities are astounding. What makes me give this book a five star rating however, is how well this book captures the emotion of that 12 year old’s experience. I heard Tanya read from the book at the Margaret River Readers and Writers Festival and I had goosebumps.
From a carefree, happy childhood on a station outside Alice Springs, the young Tanya is suddenly immersed in an environment run by (sometimes harsh) authoritarian figures - a world where everything is controlled by rules and order. The heartbreaking homesickness experienced by Tanya is one I could totally identify with, but she shows so well how that emotion is also coupled with the high-spirit and camaraderie of being part of a boarding house sisterhood.
It’s a warm and at times humorous story of how this experience made her stronger, independent and resilient, and broadened her future horizons.
I’ve not previously read a book where I’ve felt my own experiences mirrored back to me as well as this one does. 12 year old me feels very seen, and I’ve already recommended this book to all my own boarder sisterhood.
Reading Tanya Heaslip’s Beyond Alice has reassured me that it was *exactly* as I remember. This book is the third part of her memoir, but it stands alone, as it focuses on her time at boarding school in Adelaide from 1975 to 1980. My own boarding experience was a few years later, and in another state, but the similarities are astounding. What makes me give this book a five star rating however, is how well this book captures the emotion of that 12 year old’s experience. I heard Tanya read from the book at the Margaret River Readers and Writers Festival and I had goosebumps.
From a carefree, happy childhood on a station outside Alice Springs, the young Tanya is suddenly immersed in an environment run by (sometimes harsh) authoritarian figures - a world where everything is controlled by rules and order. The heartbreaking homesickness experienced by Tanya is one I could totally identify with, but she shows so well how that emotion is also coupled with the high-spirit and camaraderie of being part of a boarding house sisterhood.
It’s a warm and at times humorous story of how this experience made her stronger, independent and resilient, and broadened her future horizons.
I’ve not previously read a book where I’ve felt my own experiences mirrored back to me as well as this one does. 12 year old me feels very seen, and I’ve already recommended this book to all my own boarder sisterhood.
June 15, 2021
A terrific coming of age story that at the same time reveals two very different worlds from the 1970s - remote outback Australia and life in a very cloistered girls boarding school. For many readers these worlds will be eye-opening and challenging, but also poignant, stimulating and ultimately life affirming.
May 5, 2021
Thank you Allen & Unwin for sending us a copy to read and review.
An institution so very English offers the boarding students of Australia a similar experience but with a unique Australian flair.
Typically most Boarders live on huge farms in remote locations and have no real choice but to attend these privileged and austere institutions.
Tanya Heaslip gives the reader a real and raw insight into her experiences at MLC in Adelaide.
Leaving the wide open spaces of her cattle station in Alice Springs she starts as a scared, vulnerable and naive first year girl at the school.
The misery and fear she felt adjusting to the protocols and isolation of the school immediately felt by the reader.
Although she counted down the days til that first year was over and described it as the longest year ever, she made life long friends, adjusted to life in the dorm and learnt the tricks to rebel the penal like rules.
The dynamic changing dramatically as she enters second year and becomes the support system for her younger sister.
Life and adjustment falling into place but the yearning for family and outback still strong.
The mention of her young cousin had me immediately suspicious it might be rural writing star Fleur McDonald and the acknowledgments confirmed this.
I really enjoyed this story and style it was written.
Captured an era of Australian life that was relatable and entertaining.
The narrative was brilliant and I was glad the final night at the dorm was a blast.
The full cycle of growth for this student showing the resilience a child can have.
Refreshingly awesome to read.
An institution so very English offers the boarding students of Australia a similar experience but with a unique Australian flair.
Typically most Boarders live on huge farms in remote locations and have no real choice but to attend these privileged and austere institutions.
Tanya Heaslip gives the reader a real and raw insight into her experiences at MLC in Adelaide.
Leaving the wide open spaces of her cattle station in Alice Springs she starts as a scared, vulnerable and naive first year girl at the school.
The misery and fear she felt adjusting to the protocols and isolation of the school immediately felt by the reader.
Although she counted down the days til that first year was over and described it as the longest year ever, she made life long friends, adjusted to life in the dorm and learnt the tricks to rebel the penal like rules.
The dynamic changing dramatically as she enters second year and becomes the support system for her younger sister.
Life and adjustment falling into place but the yearning for family and outback still strong.
The mention of her young cousin had me immediately suspicious it might be rural writing star Fleur McDonald and the acknowledgments confirmed this.
I really enjoyed this story and style it was written.
Captured an era of Australian life that was relatable and entertaining.
The narrative was brilliant and I was glad the final night at the dorm was a blast.
The full cycle of growth for this student showing the resilience a child can have.
Refreshingly awesome to read.
June 15, 2021
I just love Tanya's writing! This third book is a very interesting look into what happened at boarding schools in Australia in the mid seventies.
September 5, 2021
This completes a trilogy of Ms Heaslip's memoir, detailing her teenage years attending boarding school in Adelaide in 1975, 1700 km's south of her family and station life. This is a real coming of age story with a slice of life of boarding schools for outback children that happily has improved. Her fear of leaving her family and going to the big city is palpable in the beginning of the book, with her trying to convince her parents to let her stay home to the life she knew. But go she did. Boarding school at that time was harsh- the mistresses were very hard on the boarding girls; they were rarely allowed to leave the school the first year and then only in supervised groups, nor have visitors. She entered a very regimented world, up at the same time early each morning, a scheduled time to take a lukewarm shower, a skimpy breakfast and then classes. This was followed by library study time. The students were not allowed in their dorm room until time for bed. Lights out and sleep were early. She finds herself teased merciless because of her short stature and bullied by older students. She sends letters and even a telegram to her Mum, who decides to call the Head Mistress to get to talk to her daughter and get a straight story, but the receptionist tells Mrs Heaslip that she cannot speak to the Headmistress nor her daughter and gets that response on several calls finally being told not to call back. Tanya does start to develop friendships with her roommates in the big dormitory room, and finds some friendly teachers that live in the city. She excels at some classes and mediocre in others. She looks forward to school holidays, falling into her usual routines at home with family and neighbors, but dreads the approaching return to school date. As the years go on she does build up confidence, finding more teachers who are helpful and friendly and become mentors. I really enjoyed this, getting through it rather quickly. In honesty, I am friends with the author, but I don't think that has coloured my review of the book.
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June 10, 2021BEYOND ALICE by Tanya Heaslip is published by Allen & Unwin May 2021
Review by Lorraine Parker
Beyond Alice is a sequel to “An Alice Girl”, which I enjoyed immensely, mostly for its’ historical accuracy and descriptive prose.
This is also the story of Tanya, daughter of Janice and Grant. It overlaps in the beginning with her previous book. In 1975, twelve-year-old Tanya leaves her much loved home. She is sent sixteen hundred kilometres south to a girls' boarding school in Adelaide. After all, her mother wants the best possible future for all her children. Tanya’s freedom is suddenly gone. She is surrounded by strangeness, stone and concrete, high walls, small skies, endless rules that make no sense and worst of all bullying. Bullying not only from others in the boarding school but also from the ‘staff’. (the term ‘bullying’ was not used back then).
It is a far cry from her much loved horses, stock, her brothers and parents whose understanding is beyond any cry for help that she may try to make (and does). Every moment is controlled by bells, timetables and stern words. Over time, she forges friendships. Her story telling and music are her link to this strange new family. It is a matter of survival.
A heart wringing story that follows her through what feels like interminable years and years. Tanya emerges strong and resilient, and is amazed to find that home, in her holidays, also changes. Warm, humorous and uplifting, this is the story of Tanya, who emerges a young adult, ready to tackle anything.
I have to admit that I did not enjoy this book as much as Tanya’s “Alice Girl”, and at times found it somewhat tedious and repetitive. In so saying, Tanya’s life in this boarding school was just that.
Review by Lorraine Parker
Beyond Alice is a sequel to “An Alice Girl”, which I enjoyed immensely, mostly for its’ historical accuracy and descriptive prose.
This is also the story of Tanya, daughter of Janice and Grant. It overlaps in the beginning with her previous book. In 1975, twelve-year-old Tanya leaves her much loved home. She is sent sixteen hundred kilometres south to a girls' boarding school in Adelaide. After all, her mother wants the best possible future for all her children. Tanya’s freedom is suddenly gone. She is surrounded by strangeness, stone and concrete, high walls, small skies, endless rules that make no sense and worst of all bullying. Bullying not only from others in the boarding school but also from the ‘staff’. (the term ‘bullying’ was not used back then).
It is a far cry from her much loved horses, stock, her brothers and parents whose understanding is beyond any cry for help that she may try to make (and does). Every moment is controlled by bells, timetables and stern words. Over time, she forges friendships. Her story telling and music are her link to this strange new family. It is a matter of survival.
A heart wringing story that follows her through what feels like interminable years and years. Tanya emerges strong and resilient, and is amazed to find that home, in her holidays, also changes. Warm, humorous and uplifting, this is the story of Tanya, who emerges a young adult, ready to tackle anything.
I have to admit that I did not enjoy this book as much as Tanya’s “Alice Girl”, and at times found it somewhat tedious and repetitive. In so saying, Tanya’s life in this boarding school was just that.
September 2, 2021
Tanya Heaslip is a gifted storyteller, evidenced in 'An Alice Girl' and 'Alice to Prague', and 'Beyond Alice' is no exception. This honest, heart-felt account of the archaic conditions she experienced at boarding school shocks and appals the reader. However, Tanya's resilience and sense of humour in the face of adversity is impressive. Indeed, her salvation lies in telling stories of her beloved outback to fellow boarders. They are mesmerised by her ability to paint vivid images and scenes of another world outside their 'prison' walls, and this of course foreshadows Tanya's destiny as a successful author.
As a previous teacher at Annesley/MLC in the late 80s to early 2000s, the book obviously has personal appeal. I am happy to say that despite the horrors of the boarding house, there were some redeeming features. Tanya sings the praises of her teachers which is gratifying, and she makes life-long friends. This poignant memoir moved me to tears, made me smile and brought back some wonderful memories of the choir competition and other school events. I could not put the book down and I highly recommend it to readers!
As a previous teacher at Annesley/MLC in the late 80s to early 2000s, the book obviously has personal appeal. I am happy to say that despite the horrors of the boarding house, there were some redeeming features. Tanya sings the praises of her teachers which is gratifying, and she makes life-long friends. This poignant memoir moved me to tears, made me smile and brought back some wonderful memories of the choir competition and other school events. I could not put the book down and I highly recommend it to readers!
August 29, 2021
I found this book of Tanya’s absolutely gripping. What made it so, was seeing how this girl managed to cope with life away from home in an alien world, and eventually to thrive there. Her tight knit family and her beautiful bush home had been her entire life until she had to go to boarding school in a city far away. Her home was a cattle station in the most beautiful country where she had a life that was wild and free with horses, cattle, stock-men, the sky and the stars, the wind and the trees, as her companions. The contrast of life in a boarding school, with concrete all around, being confronted by discipline she didn’t understand, unfeeling and apparently uncaring staff, eventually taught her not only survival but resilience and determination as well. This book is about the human spirit being able to overcome hardships and difficulties. It is a beautiful read, I enjoyed every minute reading it – it made me laugh and it made me cry.
December 30, 2021
I didn’t want to like from the get go. It was going to be how boarding school started out tough but in the end learnt so many lessons. It was exactly that story. It was so similar to my own except for one big difference, my ending of coursing school was one of escape and trauma. I commend anyone who can reflect on an Australian boarding school with this kind of pride and clarity. The book itself was well formatted, though I would have liked all the years to have been more evenly spread out. I also would have liked some of the characters more drawn out. Treena was my fave character and I wish we learnt more about her. This is definitely designed for an Australian audience and I jarred a little bit at the colloquialisms having been gone from the sunburnt land so long.
Her life in the NT was very similar to my own growing up. Where she had horses and cattle, I had mining machinery and trains. The red dirt, hot summers, and dry air though are one to any outback girl.
Her life in the NT was very similar to my own growing up. Where she had horses and cattle, I had mining machinery and trains. The red dirt, hot summers, and dry air though are one to any outback girl.
March 2, 2022
I loved this book. With great sensitivity and insight, it brought to life the world of a horse-mad Australian girl wrenched from her beloved outback home at a vulnerable age. I was also a horse-mad teenager in the same era, so I found it highly relatable. I was never sent to boarding school, though. Home-sickness and fear were eventually conquered as young Tanya found her way in a sometimes harsh world of awful boarding school mistresses with their arbitrary and sometimes cruel rules, not to mention cold dormitories and revolting institutional food. Leaning on the robust foundation of her beloved family, her strong friendships, her love of writing and music and the lessons learned from her tough outback childhood, Tanya survived and thrived. I was cheering for her throughout. I also cheered her brilliant mother, who had to send her children far away to give them the possibility of a fulfilling life, and was motivated to campaign to bring high quality education closer to home.
July 10, 2021
I loved Beyond Alice! Couldn't wait to get my copy after reading Tanya's first 2 books which I really enjoyed. She is so honest in her writing and as I am only a couple of years older than Tanya I could relate to so much. Dolly magazine! I had a fleecy jacket in the colours she had and also the white strappy shoes! Nice trip down memory lane. Really enjoyed the many pics in the book that Tanya shared of family and friends. Such a close family and so tough to have to leave for boarding school.
There were lots of good times too along the way and life long friendships made.
Thanks for another great read Tanya! Looking forward to your next book please! :-)
There were lots of good times too along the way and life long friendships made.
Thanks for another great read Tanya! Looking forward to your next book please! :-)
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July 11, 2021Loved this honest raw Book which took me on a trip back in time to the 70's in Adelaide, to a girls only boarding school, contrasting with the author's home in the remote outback.
Tanya recaptures the emotional rollercoaster of leaving her beautiful bush home at a young age, to a harsh boarding school life, deprived of love & support.
Her description of outback life is spellbinding - I felt like I was actually there, experiencing the heat, stunning scenery & comradery with other bushies & family members.
Fantastic read for any horse lovers too.
The book is a window into another world that I think no longer exists - it's a treasure of real life experiences.
Tanya recaptures the emotional rollercoaster of leaving her beautiful bush home at a young age, to a harsh boarding school life, deprived of love & support.
Her description of outback life is spellbinding - I felt like I was actually there, experiencing the heat, stunning scenery & comradery with other bushies & family members.
Fantastic read for any horse lovers too.
The book is a window into another world that I think no longer exists - it's a treasure of real life experiences.
February 14, 2022
I really liked this book. My school experience couldn't have been more different to that described by Tanya Heaslip so I was not sure I would relate to the outback girl and the closeted boarding school.
I was completely wrong. This book gave such a great and I think rare glimpse of life for women and girls in regional Australia. The Outback story is so often focussed on the male perspective so to be able to experience this with a female. Writer who writes so well about place was a real treat.
I look forward to reading the earlier books in her trilogy - but this book is strong enough to stand alone.
I was completely wrong. This book gave such a great and I think rare glimpse of life for women and girls in regional Australia. The Outback story is so often focussed on the male perspective so to be able to experience this with a female. Writer who writes so well about place was a real treat.
I look forward to reading the earlier books in her trilogy - but this book is strong enough to stand alone.
June 24, 2021
I could so easily identify with this book, although from a male perspective, having gone off to boarding school at 8 years of age. Fortunately I did not experience bullying as Tanya did, unless you call being given the sand shoe on the bum by the senior prefects being bullying - and perhaps in a sense it was, because there were some who got a thrill out of it. A wonderfully written memoir, moving between boarding school and 'back at at the ranch' seamlessly. Highly recommended! As are An Alice Girl and Alice to Prague by Tanya.
August 27, 2021
As an old scholar and daybug of this Adelaide school I was truly horrified to discover the ‘behind closed doors’ experiences the boarding students had to endure. So shocked to read about the lack of care for the girls' well-being. I really admire Tanya for her resilience and am so happy she survived the prison-like institution, made life-long friends and went on to thrive in the outside world.
I read the book from cover to cover rarely putting it down. Highly recommend. Also loved An Alice Girl.
I read the book from cover to cover rarely putting it down. Highly recommend. Also loved An Alice Girl.
August 27, 2021
As someone new to Australia, I read this book to understand better the experience of country boarders in urban schools. The book delivers, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading about her outback descriptions and her difficult but ultimately rewarding experiences at Methodist Ladies College. The book felt a bit repetitive to me, but it is an excellent introduction to the challenges of outback children whose only choice for further education has been to spend years away from their families.
June 3, 2021
Beautiful!
I felt connected with Tanya, M'liss and the other girls. Brett and Benny too!
I grew up in South of England suburbia so this is a far cry from my life but I identified with these girls from the same era and similar schools 🙄
I loved the stories of Bond Springs and the Alice.
Beautiful writing from a gifted story teller.
I felt connected with Tanya, M'liss and the other girls. Brett and Benny too!
I grew up in South of England suburbia so this is a far cry from my life but I identified with these girls from the same era and similar schools 🙄
I loved the stories of Bond Springs and the Alice.
Beautiful writing from a gifted story teller.
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July 2, 2021I loved this book, I laughed, cried, and may have even snorted out loud a few times. It's an eye-opening account of both outback life, and boarding school, in the 70s, full of articulate, humourous, heart-felt writing. I read Tanya's other two books after this which were as good, and I do hope she writes a fourth...
August 26, 2021
Beyond Alice is a fantastic read! I felt a part of Tanya's life as she shared her experiences of moving away from the freedom enjoyed on an outback station in Central Australia to facing the strict regulations and rules of boarding school. Central Australia is a very special place for all of us who have lived there. Thank you for sharing your journey Tanya!
June 14, 2022
The story was vaguely interesting, not so much boarding school, but life on a NT cattle station. It was a book club choice and I would never have read as much as I did otherwise.
Heaslip’s writing style is so totally unengaging that I skim read the second half. The entire book is written: I did this, then I did that, then this happened and then something else happened. After awhile I realised one of the problems for me was there was no use of simile, metaphor or any kind of literary elaboration. Finally I found one example when she wrote, referring to her lack of breast development “we were flat as the central desert”. That was clever and appropriate. The only one in the whole book that I found.
This is a memoir of five years of high school life without analysis or introspection written decades after the events. There was plenty of time for Heaslip to develop the story beyond the writing of a 12-15 year old’s diary.
Heaslip’s writing style is so totally unengaging that I skim read the second half. The entire book is written: I did this, then I did that, then this happened and then something else happened. After awhile I realised one of the problems for me was there was no use of simile, metaphor or any kind of literary elaboration. Finally I found one example when she wrote, referring to her lack of breast development “we were flat as the central desert”. That was clever and appropriate. The only one in the whole book that I found.
This is a memoir of five years of high school life without analysis or introspection written decades after the events. There was plenty of time for Heaslip to develop the story beyond the writing of a 12-15 year old’s diary.
June 12, 2021
I absolutely loved reading another book by Tanya Heaslip. Beyond Alice is when Tanya goes off to boarding school in Adelaide, 1600 kilometres from her beloved home of Bond Springs. Very emotional and superbly told. Highly recommended read.
July 2, 2021
A great follow up from her first book! After falling in love with her life in the 'outback', it was inspiring to read how she overcame homesickness and being thrown into the city/boarding school life. Tanya engages her reader by putting her emotions and feelings onto the page and taking us on the essential but at times painful journey of growing into an adult. Looking forward to reading about her journey overseas next!
July 6, 2021
An insightful and relatable story that brought back so many memories for me. A must read for anyone at a day/boarding school in the 70s and 80s. Easy to read, eye opening and entertaining. Highly recommended.
July 19, 2021
Tanya's delightful, honest, unapologetically from-the-heart and skilful writing provides entertaining and thoroughly enjoyable reading in all three of her books. Her generously shared life experiences give great insight into a unique Australian outback upbringing. A childhood in a highly disciplined, challenging but always loving family produced an adventurous spirit able to endure and overcome the adversities of her life journey. Tanya's writing is a treat for all ages.
August 26, 2021
A great story of growth, resilience,love and family told with humour, honesty and warmth.
It felt like I was just chatting to Tanya around the campfire. A trip down memory lane for me; a journey of inspiration for all.
It felt like I was just chatting to Tanya around the campfire. A trip down memory lane for me; a journey of inspiration for all.
August 27, 2021
Beyond Alice was inspirational reading generating a whole range of emotions. I couldn’t put the book down. Same enthusiasm when reading An Alice Girl. Excited to begin Alice to Prague. Highly recommend Tanya Heaslip’s work.
September 5, 2021
Tanya writes from the heart of her boarding school days, home sickness and idyllic station life. I could not put this wonderful book down. I can't wait to read her other books now.
5 stars.
Chrissie in W.A.
5 stars.
Chrissie in W.A.
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