Big Love: Reclaiming myself, my people, my country

by Brooke Blurton

A raw, moving and uplifting memoir about courage, resilience and the transformative power of love, from one of Australia's most captivating personalities


My story is about the one thing that I never went without. Love. Big love, that filled me up and made me feel like there was a future for me. The kind of love that's unconditional, and that lasts across time and space ...

From the moment Brooke Blurton appeared on Australian television, she dazzled audiences with her authenticity, self-knowledge, generosity and honesty. As a proud young Noongar-Yamatji woman, Brooke's connection to her culture and country is deep, and as an openly queer woman, she knows that love is simply love. Most of all Brooke knows the importance of family, and the uplifting power of unconditional connection.

But behind the public persona Brooke presents to the world is a story of epic proportions and awe-inspiring resilience - she had to grow up fast from a very young age, surviving an extremely challenging childhood and youth, and overcoming the shocking legacy of intergenerational trauma, abuse and homelessness. She's also had to defy labels and perceptions about who she is, and her worth, all her life.

But through it all, Brooke didn't just survive, she found her voice and thrived, and in this raw, heartbreaking, often funny and ultimately life-affirming memoir, Brooke lays her journey bare about how she refused to allow the past to define her and reclaimed her own identity - and realised the power of love, for herself, for her family, and her community.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Biography, Australia, Indigenous, Queer, LGBT

256 pages, Paperback

First published October 5, 2022

Reviews

[kaitlyns_library · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was first introduced to Brooke Blurton through the announcement of her being the 2021 Bachelorette. Then, during teaching the Rights and Freedoms topic, I found her TEDx talk. Now, I follow her socials and listening to her Not So PG podcast with Matty Mills. So being an avid follower of Brooke Blurton, I thought I wouldn’t be surprised when I read this book, because I already knew her story. Whilst the stuff I already knew was included in the book, there was so much more I didn’t know. Time and time again Blurton shows resilience in the face of adversity. Even stating in the book, if one variable had changed, she could’ve fallen into the trap of intergenerational trauma.
Brooke Blurton has become an influencer who I admire and this novel is a testament to it.

TW / this novel does include mentions of sexual assault, intergenerational trauma, death, drug use, suicide and mental health.

Brooke Blurton is a proud Noongar-Yamatji woman who identifies as pansexual/bisexual.

p.s. READ THIS BOOK!

[Revie Schulz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Despite facing unimaginable adversities from childhood and throughout her life, Brooke continues to shine her light for those still navigating in the dark.

This is a story about grief, overcoming generational trauma, being in minorities, representing those minorities, resilience and forgiveness.

[Brenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Picked up this book at Target last night. Sat down 5 hours ago to begin reading it and just put it down now having finished it. I wanted to give it 5 stars but there were a lot of typos and editing issues that bugged me (double words, typos and some repetition - it felt a bit rushed, not a huge issue but it was slightly jarring to my neurodiverse brain and interrupted my reading flow - obviously not significantly enough that I couldn't finish the book in 5 hours though). Very moving to hear Brooke's experiences and to understand her side of the story and not just what is portrayed in the media.

[Imogen Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is so full on I had no idea about her life until I listened to a podcast recently and was shocked - listened to the audiobook read by her and it was so good

[Ruby Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow this book was such an incredible read. I am so grateful that Brooke has shared her story as I learnt a lot about First Nations struggles and their community. Her story was actually quite confronting, not only because of the amount of trauma she had lived through, but my own level of ignorance when it comes to First Nation people, their history, community and struggles. I’m so honoured to learn about Brookes story and I would definitely recommend this to anyone, particularly if you live in Australia.

[Caitlin Richards · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a really raw and powerful memoir of Brooke’s childhood and life thus far. Very brave and vulnerable of Brooke to publish her story. Covers some very heavy content so should really come with a content warning.

Felt a little unfinished and scant on details about her most recent and current experiences. This may be due to the selective nature of what Brooke has chosen to share in this book (which is totally her prerogative) but does make it feel a little two dimensional - in respect to her contemporary life only. I would have been interested to hear more about her youth work and future objectives in that space.

Most disappointingly, I just couldn’t possibly give this book a higher rating as the editing team has done the MOST DEPLORABLE job I have ever seen. Very basic errors and double words throughout.

[Kirsty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brooke’s life is more complex than I ever could have imagined. She’s done so amazing to become the person she is today and own all of the hardship that categorised her childhood. I admired her boundary holding to not go into details of her assaults and not dish out gossip from her reality tv experiences.

[Charly-Jane Hanrahan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was not expecting what this book revealed. Brooke experienced many life challenges and obstacles that I did not realise. Despite this she continues to have a positive outlook on life and especially finding love in everything. Very good - recommend the audiobook version.

[Zali Lonesborough · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finished this book in 2 days! - left with tears and goosebumps, - hearing her childhood and youth, overcoming intergenerational trauma, suffering abuse and homelessness. So inspiring!

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brooke is truly a phenomenal person. It's a true privilege to get this glimpse into her life.

[alysha]

Wow…that’s all I can say.

Thankyou so much Brooke, for sharing your story. It was so vividly raw, and your reflections on intergenerational trauma are a true testament to your resilience.

This was so incredibly well-written. I couldn’t put it down once I had picked it up, because I felt like Brooke was sitting there, telling me the story herself. The raw emotion that was captured, throughout every event she recounted from her life, especially the hardest moments of her life, highlighted so much heart and love in the story that made her the First Nations creative she is today. The letter she wrote to herself at the end was pure poetry in my eyes.

I don’t rate memoirs, but if I did, this would receive a perfect rating from me.

[Monique Blaikie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book should be compulsory reading. The language is simple and digestible, though the concepts Brooke is talking about can sometimes feel confusing for some of us. I feel more empathetic and have a clearer lens through which I can view disadvantage, poverty, drug addiction, mental health issues, system racism and oppression both specifically in Australia and relating to indigenous people, as well as a broader sense. What a compelling and heart wrenching story, simply told and with no contempt for any of the suffering endured.

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it Brooke. Thank you for sharing your story with us. I'm excited for you and what you'll achieve in the future. I reckon your nan and mum would be so proud of you. Keep up the good work.

There are many editing issues in the text, but they don't detract from the story. Something to fix for the next edition...

[Fil · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this up on a pride display at my library. It should be compulsory reading for the upcoming vote on a First Nations voice in the constitution. It helped me understand the impacts of colonisation 230 years on and the generational trauma that continues to reverberate 💔.

On a side note, the publisher didn't give this book the editing justice it deserved. Lots of grammatical errors.

[Paris Hardwick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve followed Brooke for a while and was excited to read about her journey, although I had no idea how much adversity she has overcome. This was a very touching and moving read, written purely from Brooke’s heart

[Jodi Rachael · Rating 4 out of 5]

“My memory of my early childhood is sticky, I can catch glimpses of it out of the corner of my eye, but it’s hard to look at it straight on”

I would give this 4.5 stars. I got through it within a few days and loved hearing Brookes story, heartache and all.

[Jorja Costello · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful, raw and inspiring story! I couldn’t be more inspired by Brooke and her journey. What an amazing woman.

[Clare Gransden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow - I love Brooke Blurton

[Kelly Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much more than I expected. Brooke is truely inspirational by the resilience she has demonstrated to live through intergenerational trauma. Well worth the read!

[Liv · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted to read this after listening to Brooke on The Imperfects Podcast and it didn't disappointment. Beautifully written and her story is one of such great strength, resilience and love.

[Alarna Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

A compelling and inspirational narrative, Brooke's remarkable achievements add depth to her life story. Highly recommended for a meaningful read. 💕

[Amanzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful!

[Frances K · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a powerhouse of a woman. The book is very accessible and smashable- can’t wait to see what she writes at 50.

[Billie-Jade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brooke, you're just incredible.

[Ashleigh Hull · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading firsthand the adversities and trauma that Brooke experienced throughout her life so far, and what she has overcome - was SO heartfelt, emotional, inspiring. A true testament to her strength & the strength of culture, family, love & passion. Also love learning and reading about Brooke’s culture, her experience of mental illness, and experience working as a youth worker. 5 stars 🥰

[Larissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such an inspiring woman! Brooke has been through so much, having quite a traumatic childhood that she shares within her book. She is determined to make a change and still has a positive outlook full of love! Fee editorial mistakes in the book but overall, I really enjoyed reading about Brooke’s story!

[Alex Moxon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some parts made for interesting reading. The premise of the book was positive and well meaning which I liked. Unfortunately I just felt it was generally poorly written, quite repetitive and frustratingly the editors had done an atrocious job leaving quite a few spelling mistakes and repeated words in.

[Roxy · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an inspiring and interesting life she's had. I enjoyed her story and she's a very good storyteller. But whoever proofread this book before publishing needs to be fired. Double words, missing words, grammar and sentences not structured. So frustrating 😫

[mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

brooke is such a special person, and reading her story is remarkable!

[Rhiannan Earl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Would have been a five star read if not for the terrible editing - not a reflection of Brooke personally or her story, but certainly something which was annoying as a reader