Legacy

by Larissa Behrendt

Simone Harlowe is young and clever, an Aboriginal lawyer straddling two lives and two cultures while studying at Harvard. Her family life back in Sydney is defined by the complex relationship she has with her father Tony, a prominent Aboriginal rights activist.

As Simone juggles the challenges of a modern woman's life -- career, family, friends and relationships -- her father is confronting his own uncomfortable truths as his secret double life implodes.

Can Simone accept her father for the man he is and forgive him for the man he's not?

Genres: Fiction, Australia, Audiobook, Indigenous, Novels, Contemporary

282 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Larissa is the author of three novels: Home, which won the 2002 David Unaipon Award and the regional Commonwealth Writers’ Prize for Best First Book; Legacy, which won the 2010 Victorian Premier’s Literary Award for Indigenous Writing; and After Story. She has published numerous books on Indigenous legal issues; her most recent non-fiction book is Finding Eliza: Power and Colonial Storytelling. She was awarded the 2009 NAIDOC Person of the Year award and 2011 NSW Australian of the Year. Larissa wrote and directed the feature films, After the Apology and Innocence Betrayed and has written and produced several short films. In 2018 she won the Australian Directors’ Guild Award for Best Direction in a Documentary Feature and in 2020 the AACTA for Best Direction in Nonfiction Television. She is the host of Speaking Out on ABC radio and is Distinguished Professor at the Jumbunna Institute at the University of Technology Sydney.

Reviews

[Mentai · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loves, betrayal, histories of Aboriginal activism leading to law change, father-daughter relations, suicide, Aboriginal-white relations in marriage, the stolen generation, education and class issues among Aboriginal people, identity searching and masculinity. For a story that came together well, Behrendt's novel covered a lot of salient themes.

[Maree Kimberley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Legacy is my first book for the 2013 Australian Women Writer's Challenge and it's a good one. I read it in one day, over the course of the afternoon and early evening of a stinking hot Brisbane summer's day, so I guess for me it rates as 'unputdownable'!.

Behrendt's easy-going flowing literary style covers a lot of ground. From Harvard, Boston to Sydney to way out west in New South Wales, Behrendt skilfully weaves detail about recent Aboriginal history through a story that is about family relationships, in particular, children facing up to and accepting (or facing the consequences of not accepting) their parents' flaws.

Behrendt mixes first person point of view (for the protagonist Simone) alongside third person point of view for the cast of supporting characters. It's an interesting choice, but works well with this novel, and the structure (one point of view per chapter) means you never lose track of whose story you're reading at any point.

Behrendt imbues each of her characters with the ability to question themselves, revealing their flaws and frailties alongside their strengths. The narrative builds nicely, drawing you into the Simone's life and the lives of those she loves (and occasionally rages against). The women, who dominate the novel, are equally strong, wise, vulnerable and flawed; while the men are drawn with their strengths and weaknesses, achievements and vanities, on show.

Although I read this book quickly it is one that resonates, that gives you plenty to think about. It is a mature, thoughtfully written book that flows easily but is deeply layered with the challenges, heartaches, tragedies and joys of life. Highly recommended.

[Rhiann · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second book I have read by Larissa Behrendt and I love the way she speaks for Aboriginal people while skillfully weaving her voice through a great story. The message that part of loving someone means accepting faults and mistakes is strong and real. I especially enjoy how literature and book discussions are present in both books I’ve read. I’m keen to try another and see if this is a fabulous plot device present in all her books.

[Peter · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is subtitled ‘a novel about fathers and daughters and how the past is always present’. Useful, because when I read the book it wasn’t clear to me what it was about and why it had been written, apart from providing a vehicle for misandry in general and Australian aboriginal politics in particular. A book that fails on almost every level: tedious and unoriginal.

[Felicity · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great contrast story of "life at home" in Australia and studying in the US. I enjoyed the characters and the vivid descriptions. It was a great story of flawed humans and the optimism of youth

[Deborah Allin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautifully written story which explores the journey of an aboriginal academic in her quest to come to terms with the powerful impact of her father on her life and the echoes of this influence on other key relationships.

There are precious few novels written with a central female indigenous character which explore issues related to aboriginal history, politics and land rights which this novel does.

Its well written and the journey of the central character unfolds in a way which flows and draws you along, capturing your interest until the end.

[Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took half the book to really enjoy it - Behrendt's strengths are in how she moves between genres and builds momentum, and less in characterization and distinctive voices - many of the characters feel interchangeable, and dialogue has a same-y quality. This is not helped by the male characters being so believably uniformly no-hoper-ery. But the book starts to really sail once you are far enough in for the various threads to add up to something meaningful. But then, it suddenly became very compelling, and Behrendt moves through issues of identity, choice, loyalty, sexism, racism and coming of age. As she starts to explore the world of her protagonists father more, his characterisation also deepens, while she refuses to flinch from some of his more obnoxious impacts. In the end, the book - which swerves from a pat ending while keeping one foot in a satisfying resolution to the female characters - feels nuanced, and satisfying, and even rich.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the way that Behrendt’s legal background comes in at the beginning of the book with the deliberations around the legal basis of the country known as Australia. I empathised with the ethical dilemma at the centre of the book but found it a little one dimensional. It was an enjoyable read overall.

[YSahara HH · Rating 4 out of 5]

"When did you women get so independent?"
"Around the same time when you wanted to not be denied opportunities just because you were black"
-- I heard this in the Australian accents in the audiobook which made the line all the better. What an icon Patricia is.
There were a lot of great characters in this book, and I loved the ways themes came together. Some review I saw called it misandry which is such bullshit. There was so much empathy for these flawed men, flawed in different ways and having such different faces to different people. Except Jamie, fuck Jamie. The mundane and less covered flawed men of this book's flawed men but ugh.

I liked the way the personal moral and the larger legal and ethical bits were fleshed out, the idea that human rights also applies to shitty humans. I liked the way the book centred Aboriginal issues but also generally human ones, and was in no way tokenistic.

This was close to a five but Simone was a smidge annoying and underdeveloped. Her flaw of idolising men in her life was quite well written, if a little rushed in resolution to the end. I can't put my finger on it. A lot of her was good, as were the lessons we went through. Maybe I just found her character only about those lessons?
- Tony being such a flawed character in many ways was well written. A lot of his feelings and love for the women in his life and his social justice, coupled with his trauma etc etc. I think it felt really inconsistent with his character and undid all the amazing work of getting us to sympathise with a man we wouldn't normally sympathise with when HE THREATENED RACHEL after she broke up with him? Like??? Many men do this so I get it, its often unexpected and when their ego is bruised I get it. But that was SO inconsistent with the Tony's journey.
- I get why this is sold as father daughter book of whatever, but that's only a part of it? A significant part, but only a part.

The whole thing with Rachel fucking Tony because it was making her feel more aboriginal was very weird to me. But I'm aware I'm not remotely able to relate, so I I may sound insensitive. And that said, I would still never judge a young, ambitious, clever woman for making stupid choices about men. I knew a long though that while Tony was planning to be with her, she would never accept that and good on her.

[ℰmma · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story is pitched as a novel about father's and daughters - it's a slice of life story with multiple POVS. Each time Simone interacts with a new character we get a POV chapter for them.

There's a strong focus on aboriginal rights in Australia as they are at the centre of Simone's PhD and her father Tony's passion and raison d'être. Simone's interactions with her PhD supervisor are something akin to worship. She holds him in such high regard and I can't work out if it's a parent displacement kind of affection or a romantic fantasy on Simone's part. Her supervisors POV chapter shows he clearly admires her intellect and talent, but quickly turns to longing for a better relationship with his own daughters.

There is a chapter from Tonys POV reflecting on giving his daughter an academic education but also ensuring her understanding of her own culture and the prejudice they face historically and how that has informed laws and rights in the present day. He is proud of her, but reminsices at one point about how unreachable she is now, how she seems to look down on some of the simpler things in life because of her education and the benefits it has afforded her. In giving her tools to champion herself he feels he has caused her to alienate herself from her roots and from himself.

We see Simone's gradual disenchantment with her father as she discovers that he frequently cheats on her mother, we are with her as she deliberately (and passive aggressively) works to catch him out and let him know that she knows he's cheating on her Mum with his legal advisor Rachel. This interaction between Simone and Rachel opens the door for a POV chapter from Rachel. This chapter reflects on her relationship with her own father.

This is a complex, insightful, and busy story about people. Its well written and the characters fully realised. Their lives are emotionally complex and the pain and love is evident throughout.

[Liisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Legacy is pitched as a novel about fathers and daughters, but it’s really a layered slice-of-life story told through multiple POVs, each revealing a different thread of connection, conflict, and love.

At the heart of it is Simone Harlowe — young, clever, an Aboriginal lawyer studying at Harvard — navigating the pull between two cultures and two worlds. Her relationship with her father Tony, a prominent Aboriginal rights activist, is both a source of pride and deep friction. Through Tony’s eyes, we see his joy in Simone’s achievements, but also his fear that her education has distanced her from her roots. Through Simone’s, we witness her growing disenchantment as she uncovers his infidelities.

Behrendt weaves in reflections on Aboriginal rights, cultural heritage, and the generational weight of activism with nuance and tenderness. The shifting perspectives — including those of Simone’s PhD supervisor and Tony’s legal adviser — give the novel a web-like intimacy, though it can feel busy at times.

This isn’t a plot-driven page-turner so much as an insightful character study: complex people, messy emotions, and the way love and disappointment can exist in the same breath. It’s thoughtful, well written, and grounded in a strong sense of cultural and personal identity.

A solid, contemplative read — best for those who enjoy slow-burning, multi-layered narratives about family, belonging, and the spaces in between.

[Vivienne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The stories associated with some terrible truths are so well known as to have become almost accepted or at least to no longer have the shock impact that they deserve. As an Australian, and a teacher, the story of the shocking treatment of our Aboriginal people is one such topic. It's taught at many levels of school, it's well known to us all. . . and so it should be. Nonetheless, when looking to read a First Nation's story, I felt less than enthusiastic.
I was pleasantly surprised. While Aboriginal rights, poor treatment and activism is very much a part of Legacy, it is also a great deal more than that. This is a story of family, relationships, loss and grief, suicide, betrayal . . . many important topics covered in considerable depth in an engaging, easy to read, well written novel.
At the centre of the story is Simone Harlowe and her relationship with her father, prominent Aboriginal activist Tony. Tony does not quite live up to Simone's idealistic view of her well respected father. While the Aboriginality of many of the characters is clearly shown and significant to the story, many of the elements portrayed are universal and could be part of any culture. ****

[Emily Fletcher · Rating 3 out of 5]

Legacy centers around Simone, an Aboriginal woman studying law at Harvard in Boston, and her complicated relationship with her father Tony, a prominent figure in Aboriginal rights and politics. The story extends to the web of people in their lives, and through various perspectives gives insights on how different people view the same situations. I found Beth Anne and Rachel particularly well written characters, and empathised for both of them despite their opposing stories. There are really interesting themes around family, connection to culture, how we advocate for ourselves and communities, and the ways we construct facades of ourselves in different environments. I did think there were a few too many elements, even just one less subplot might have made things a bit clearer for me. The reveal of Tony's past was heartbreaking, although I don't know that it would have fixed things for me as it seemed to for Simone.
I didn't find this as compelling as After Story by Behrendt, but it was thought provoking and engaging, and an insight into the different experiences within Aboriginal Australia.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read. Set in Australia . A young Aboriginal lawyer, Simone goes to Boston to continue her research into Aboriginal rights and how they should move forward in Australia today. Her father, Tony Harlow is well known as an Aboriginal rights activist.

Simone struggles with her relationship with her father because of his affairs with women over the years.

The story is well-read and focuses on the relationship between Simone and her father which is spurred on by her relationship with her Boston study lecturer/supervisor who she gets on with very well.

Simone straddles the two cultures - white and Aboriginal and struggles with how everyone else sees Tony and what she knows about him.

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book cover does nothing for this story (I listened to it on audio which has an updated cover to match the style of Larissa Behrendt's newer books which I prefer a LOT more).

Simone is an Aboriginal Lawyer pursuing further study at Harvard Law. When her personal life draws her home to Sydney her world and perspective is shaken. It's a book about community, culture, the legal system, morality, gender and family. I found it very moving.

This reminded me again to be embarrassed by last year's failed referendum. Australia needs to do better by our first nations people.

#changethedate

[Cathryn Wellner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bouncing from one point of view to another made my head spin at the beginning of the book. Once the story lines all made sense and began to create layers of meaning, the book took wings. The confusion and disappointment that ordinary couples experience were sensitively described. A strong message of accepting people as they are, not as we wish they would be, runs through the failed relationships. Through it all is the running thread of the long struggle for First Nations, centered around the Tent Embassy, which is still in Canberra after more than fifty years.

[Robin Bower · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a powerful story of an Aboriginal woman and the complex relationship with her family. While her beloved father is a champion for Aboriginal rights, he has also lied to her mother for years and had many affairs. She must reconcile his virtues with the other aspects of his personality and come to terms with what is the truth. A fabulous interweaving of the Aboriginal rights Tent Embassy movement juxtaposed against her life as a successful lawyer and the moral issues she must face.

[Kris McCracken · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting, albeit strangely sterile, novel that explores the struggle for reconciliation at a personal level while also standing as a metaphor for political reconciliation. Part of this sterility is due to a certain heavy-handedness that undermined my ability to connect to the narrative and interpret it at my own pace.

⭐ ⭐ 1/2

[Shari · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, I think the stories and lives were interwoven in an interesting way and the writing was well done. Ultimately though I felt like it lost the main thread of Simone in the last third of the book in service of the other characters.

[Litter Bug · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was okay! The characters were mostly interesting, but I found the plot a bit meandering.

I honestly just kept waiting for the twist reveal that Rachel was Tony's daughter though.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Goodreads cover is such a strange one. It's nothing like the narrative told in Legacy.

This is powerful storytelling and shows why Larissa Behrendt is one of the very best writers working in Australia today. Essential reading.

[Kaz · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable, well-rounded book. That said, there is no real crescendo, no material changes to the characters by the end of the book, and the professor’s story is discarded part way through. A bit too neatly sewn up by the end.

[Joy Summers · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 *

This one lost some points for being a bit too much of a polemic on a single issue. However, it did open my eyes to some history that I knew little about and wouldn’t have sought out in a non-fiction book. Too much telling rather than showing but still an enjoyable and worthwhile listen

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was nice to read a contemporary novel about an Aboriginal family with their trials and tribulations. It was an easy read that I thoroughly enjoyed and know it will also be enjoyed by friends.

[Janelle Martinz · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars

[Cath · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. A beautiful mix of history and culture, woven into a young woman’s personal journey.

[Christine Davie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted more .. like the professors family? But really enjoyed it

[Cath Lyders · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook. Great narrator!
Really enjoy this author’s writing

[Char Mann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great storytelling book

[Nicola Neil · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listened to the audiobook. Too many voices for a single narrator and there were some real clangers with pronunciation. My least favourite of the three Behrendt books I've read this year.