Maybe Tomorrow

by Boori Monty Pryor, Meme McDonald

From the Aboriginal fringe camps of his birth to the catwalk, basketball court, DJ console and more—this is a new anniversary edition of Boori Monty Pryor's life, his pain, his joy, and his hopes, and is as powerful now as it was when it was first published in 1998. Boori Monty Pryor's career path has taken him from the Aboriginal fringe camps of his birth to the catwalk, the basketball court, the DJ console, and now to performance and story-telling around the country. With writer and photographer Meme McDonald, Boori leads you along the paths he has traveled, pausing to meet his family and friends, while sharing the story of his life, his pain, and his hopes, with humor and compassion.

Genres: Nonfiction, Australia, Indigenous, Memoir, Biography, Autobiography

240 pages, Paperback

First published February 28, 1998

Reviews

[Georgie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first read this book when I was in high school, and it was a thought-provoking introduction to contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander issues through the life of Boori. His story is full of tragedy and pain and yet told with humour and hope. I re-read it years later as a student teacher, around the time I visited a remote Indigenous community in North-East Arnhem Land. Diving back into this narrative as an adult, having read and thought a lot more about Indigenous rights and issues, this book was even more powerful. Boori beautifully articulates the tension felt by so many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of trying to live in two worlds. At times it may not be the most well-written book, but it is a stunning piece of storytelling. Boori advocates strongly for better understanding between the frequently clashing cultures in Australia, explaining clearly and respectfully just how much the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people could teach the rest of Australia and the world. "Your heart must be open and free because it is only when all three are one - the eyes, the ears and the heart - that stories and secrets and songs can be given in trust."
Highly recommended.

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This should be on a school reading list for race relations generally, and for Australian contemporary studies in history, economics, politics, sociological studies and australian and indigenous performing arts studies. The writing is possibly not as neat and tidy as it could be but the passion, pain and gut wrenching honesty with which it has been written makes literary criticism not only irrelevant but also offensive and suspect. I have written all over it - which is something I do only when what I am reading is rebounding all over the place in my thoughts and feelings. As an Australian I don't believe I am the only one that has problems with Australia's settlement, both in terms of lies told and justification but also conflicting messages about what was done and what wasn't and acts of kindness and decency drowned out by the horror of those who did not behave that way. All mixed with basic contentment with being Australian and identifying body and soul with what that means. A bit of an existential soup it is to be non-indigenous Australian. There was a lot of things I had heard before but what I loved, what blew me away, was that Boori (Monty) Pryor came straight up to my face in his words and told me how I appeared to him. And though it was new I recognized it - yeah of course we look like that, sound like that, say that sort of thing, do that sort of thing. It felt as if my Australianess was being shared instead of something held at arms length. He sees the shame and the embarassment and there isn't judgement - just humour probably. He made it possible for me to laugh a bit at some of the crap I can come out with because I just don't know any better. Sometimes when we read someone's writing afterwards we need to see and talk to them because their words have gone into our souls or hearts of wherever they go and they have made a change, in this case a sort of repair, and a clear sense of where to aim for next - maybe not specific details, but what is possible that isn't happening now. Thank you Boori Pryor.

[Miffy · Rating 4 out of 5]

There should be more stories like this in the world. Monty Pryor's heart-breaking, uplifting, and funny recollections of his life - so far - will fill your heart and feed your soul. If you think that you know about 'the Aboriginal history' of Australia - think again. Monty brings an intensely personal point of view to the history of Australia, and at that same time manages to describe the universal experience of Aborigines on this island both before and after the arrival of Europeans.
Written in the 90s in conjunction with Meme McDonald, and Margaret Dunkle, Allen & Unwin released an updated edition in 2010, which I am going to find and read.
Although parts of this story are repetitious and some points are made more than once, this is still a refreshing and satisfying read.

[Caz · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book that has given me a lot to think about in terms of where I fit, what I can do and what I need to do. I love the work that he is doing in the schools with raising awareness of very real struggles and issues and helping to correct some misconceptions. A very honest book that had me laughing at his insight and stories and crying at the tragedies both current and past.

[anna✮ · Rating 5 out of 5]

i decided to pick this book up after watching "Wrong Kind of Black" on Netflix and I just couldn't put it down!!! one of the best reads of the year for me

[Jenny Kirkby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I particularly enjoyed this yarn for the fact that I learnt about the experience of families that are so different to mine yet live in the same broader community. The importance of listening - to everything - is a lesson I hope not to forget.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first heard of Boori Monty Pryor when I discovered his children’s book Shake a Leg (2010) illustrated by Jan Ormerod. I loved it straight away and incorporated it into lessons for students of all ages. You can see why from the inspired image on the front cover, black and white kids together, the white kid learning the Shake a Leg welcome dance from the others. It’s a great story because it’s set in a pizza parlour where the indigenous proprietor has learned the secret of the sauce in Italy (and speaks Italian) so it’s showing indigenous people successfully retaining their ancient culture while living in the modern world. And it’s funny too.

[...]

Two years after Shake a Leg was published, Boori Monty Pryor was appointed Australia’s inaugural Children’s Laureate, and as his memoir shows, this prestigious appointment celebrated the work he does in bringing Indigenous stories to schools all over Australia and beyond. He was also an Ambassador for the National Year of Reading in 2012.

Maybe Tomorrow was published in 1998, before these honours acknowledged the value of the work that Pryor had been doing for a long time. The memoir begins with the stark story of the tragedies that have befallen his family. Most of us know the facts about the alarming rate of suicide and premature deaths amongst Indigenous people, but Pryor makes it personal. He tells us first about one brother, then another, then a sister, then a nephew. There are family photos in the book that show the parents and other members of the family and it’s hard to imagine how so much grief could engulf one family without crushing them. Yet Maybe Tomorrow is an uplifting book, acknowledging the pain yet filled with optimism and determination to stay strong.

When I speak about the deaths of these four special people who died before their time, it’s not to make people say, ‘Oh, poor little blackfulla’ or make us look like victims. What I want people to do is to really sit down and ask, ‘Why did these people die?’ Because it is an important part and structure of this country. I’m not just speaking about my family. Most Aboriginal families I know have lost one or two people in the same way. As an Aboriginal family you expect that. You really do expect that. (p.4)

Pryor leaves the fringe camp of his home, and joins the air force where he learns important skills. He plays sport – football and basketball – as a way of belonging in two worlds. He becomes a DJ, he does modelling. And finally he settles into a role that is demanding but fulfilling, doing presentations in schools that showcase his Aboriginal culture and heritage with story, dance and music.

For a long while I didn’t know why I went off to the city and did all these things […]

It was all to do with me being a link, one of the many links. There are a lot of people who are links across the land. The links between Aboriginal culture and the white people. (p.118)

To read the rest of my review please visit https://anzlitlovers.com/2017/07/09/m...

[Emma - Mybookcorner · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I arrived in Australia three years ago I went straight to the library to learn more about the country I had landed in. The first book I walked away with was 'Maybe Tomorrow'.

I have since recommended it to friends, book clubs and now I recommend it to you. Many parts of it have stayed with me, and I hope that My Book Corner does it justice here.

Reading this book feels like Boori is talking to you - as a reader you gain a real sense of who he is and what he thinks - and this feels like a real privilege.

The winning element of this book, and essentially of Boori himself, is the passion, his passion. A passion connected to his pride, knowledge, acceptance and the ability to keep learning and teaching.

[Jim Shomos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Boori walks us through his life, meandering among his family and you end up blessed with a rich perspective of Indigenous Australians. Storytelling without preaching. Empathy without effort.

'Maybe Tomorrow' should be compulsory reading for all secondary school kids; and adults like me who took too long to understand how much we do not understand about our precious Indigenous history.

[Kuenden · Rating 4 out of 5]

• What have you read that is similar to this book?

I have read The absolutely true story of a part time Indian. The book has a very similar message as both of the main characters in the book had a similar problem and that was race. They both were different from the people in the area and were treated like they did not belong but as the story continues eventually both get accepted in there community. They are both able to thrive and succeed as individual coming from a tough beginning to eventually stoping the prejudice that everyone felt and fitting in.

[Regina Andreassen]

Boori -or Monty, as I call him-is a friend, thus, I do not to feel that I should rate this book. I am happy to see how positively this book has been received. Boori is a nice person who has faced very difficult times. I can empathise with him but I can clearly see that his account is biased. In my opinion, a great thing about this book is that the reader doesn't need to fully agree with Boori's ideas/claims to be able to feel for him and understand his sorrow. As Boori says, it is important to understand that there are good people and bad people everywhere.

[Aston Martin]

A great autobiography which puts power and agency into the authors hands. Indigenous Australians have had their histories written by "academics", mainly the white anglo-saxon variety. Maybe Tomorrow sheds light on what life is like for many Indigenous Australians. A very sad, yet uplifting story that Maybe Tomorrow many more Indigenous Australians can share their stories too.

[Bryce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Boori's story is told in a somewhat non-narrative manner through anecdotes and through discussion of a number of themes. He gives a thought provoking and emotionally poignant appeal for reconciliation, engagement and cooperation and backs this up with methods for this to be achieved. Despite all he has been through, he is never angry but is often funny.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first Australian Children's Laureate Boori Monty Pryor writes here of life as an Aboriginal in general and his life in particular. The book is written in the anecdotal style, rather than linear. He focuses on the importance of finding the inner strength to face the conflicts found in the white man's world.

[Franziska Crivelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was my first book, while my stay in Australia. This book is amazing, instructive, heartbreaking and much more!!!
It helped me to learn more about the aboriginal culture. It would be a great story for a movie!!!

[Diana Reynolds]

I loved this book, with its compassionate view of race relations mixed with Boori's personal history and tragedies. It is a sesitive and wonderful book and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in the issues between Aboriginals and white people in Australia.

[Cristy · Rating 4 out of 5]

An amazing book that opened my eyes and made me re-evaluate what I knew about my country.

[Kim Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a book I had to read for school, but it was a complete eye opener for me. I really liked his storytelling.

[Benn Jamieson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book that I have read all year. Sensational insight into modern Indigenous Australia. I later met the author when he came to speak to my students at my school, and they loved him.

[Terese · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well worth reading. A unique insight and voice. Sad and uplifting at the same time.
Weird coincidence to find a connection to one of the Irish suffragists I wrote my thesis about so many years ago.

[Sally Marshall · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book, thought provoking and heavy at times; but gets the message across

[Jonah · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 🌌

Had to write this one for uni ;)

It's very hard to put into words the way I feel about memoirs. I always find myself asking, was this really a story worth telling? It is very rare that one can engage with me on the same level as a great piece of fiction. I'm sure many would argue that it is beside the point of a biographical work to pull at your heartstrings or have you absolutely transported into the mind of the narrator. I still find myself wishing for more from them. If you have the Gaul to put your story out into the world and place a lovely little $32.99 entry sticker on the back of it; I would hope at the very least, you gave it a red-hot go. 'Maybe Tomorrow' is not one of those instances where I threw the book out as quickly as I picked it up. I do think this was a story worth telling but I would be lying if I said I hadn't struggled to get to the end of it.

From page zero, the stage is set; shadows of the dead loom over Boori, hinting that this is a story of grief, this is a life hard lived. We are about to be immersed into that of a broken heart, we are going to learn what Keeps a man going, what it means to belong to a place that wants to destroy you. Quickly thrust from that anarchy, Boori proceeds to tell a very different story, one in lessons of youth an almost extended anecdote that never quite lets up. Ironically these chapters where we learn of his career, interactions with children, lessons in country work best within the narrative. They often feel like a ray of hope in an otherwise semi-melancholic landscape. Although these sections hold their own within the memoir, I kept wondering whether these parts could have been anecdotal to a larger narrative. There are some truly heart wrenching moments within this text. The only grief that gets the chance to linger is that of his brother. Images of a rotting corpse, The pains of living with that loss. Even still, these are all short lived, barely given a chance to breathe. We are left knowing more about a man's amateur Dj career than the challenges it took to get there. I don't blame Boori for not wanting to lament on the dead more than he has, but he opened the box, and I really think he ought to have tipped the thing out and spread its contents.

[Tulasi Pawar · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a man who's experienced harsh and extreme events, he certainly has a certain humour and contentment that many people who live a good life don't have. He seems to find it in sharing his journey with different people as if there's a comfort in letting people in, educating them and gaining a respect that they wouldn't have given if it weren't for him.

Summary:
1. Boori shares his experience as an Aboriginal citizen who has suffered from racism and how he has handled it
2. He recounts his life from the ABoriginal camps, being a model, DJ, and now performance and story-telling.
3. It explores the life of Indigenous Australians and the prejudice they face, the hard-comings they recieve and how it affects their daily life.

[Heidi Burkhart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have wanted to read this book for ages. I kept looking for an affordable copy (since it is now out of print) and finally found one. It was worth every minute of the search. Pryor did a wonderful job of explaining the distinctive parts of Aboriginal culture that make it unique. His own experiences and those of his family members brought his journey to life.

Highly recommended.

[evelyn coleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was a hard one to read. it’s always hard to hear about the struggles and hardships of my people. reading uncle boori’s story and how he continues to overcome the darkness in this work is powerful. it’s so hard to read these types of books but going through it is so much more tearing. but our stories, our voices need to be heard.

[Sienna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I likes reading about Boori’s life and his people and his family and the things that aboriginal have to fight regularly. But it took me quite a long time to read this book and I didn’t connect with it because it took me a longer time to read.

[Frances · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Boori Pryor.
Thank you for sharing your story.

I love sharing my books on - this one I will accession to our school library collection for our staff and parent library. It needs to be shared. It needs to be read by all.

[Belinda Vidal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like books that make me think. This one did, I loved it.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of food for thought... This book will stay with me for a very long time.

[Hazel Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

Realistic insights by a compassionate man who is an excellent story teller