The Window Seat

by Archie Weller

Honest, brutal, and often moving, this collection of short fiction presents one author’s contribution to Australian literature. From an old indigenous woman’s final journey home—from the point of view of a disgruntled white traveler—to a young Aboriginal man’s first lesson in rough justice, this volume offers insight into contemporary indigenous Australian experiences. Powerfully written, this is a unique and compelling account of realist fiction.

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories, Australia

336 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2010

About the author

see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archie_... for more info.

Reviews

[Rhonda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I actually really enjoyed this book but when I went to find out more about the author discovered he identied himself as Aboriginal but he isn't. Its sad as he could still have written and had published the stories as they are and let his readers know he usually was. The stories stood on their own. No reason to fake. Its just like discovering Mary Durack painted under an Aboriginal name. Unfortunately the Why? has to be commercially based. No genuine creative sends their work out into the world pretending to be someone else. Pseudonyms are ok but only if they reflect under another name, who you are and where and what your art came from.

[Caren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was thoroughly moved by the short stories in this collection, many of which dealt with Weller’s themes of “alienation in one’s own land and loss of family.” Besides his brilliant characterisation throughout the stories was the high literary standard of his writing itself. Particularly impressive were the descriptions of the landscape, nowhere more beautifully described than in “The Storm”.

Weller’s characters suffer racism, injustice, and alienation. Yet, his fiction does not strike out with harshness or blunt criticism of the systems that marginalised the Aboriginal population. Rather, there is subtlety in his stories, ending by “tail(ing) off into the silence” {Introduction by Ernie Dingo}, creating their impact as the reader contemplates the silence. His last in the collection, “The Window Seat”, delivered a devastating portrait of two travellers on a bus, the white man’s resentment obvious that the woman, “black and lumpy”, had taken the seat meant for him.

Captured as I was by Weller’s beautiful writing, I will follow up reading his novels and poetry collection.

[Aj · Rating 4 out of 5]

Incredibly authentic, this book has a resonate voice. I especially loved how the stories moved through time, no set all in one period. My only gripe was with how most of the women were written, as only accessories to men's tales, with little of their own agency.

[Natasha (jouljet) · Rating 4 out of 5]

From a final journey, to beheading colonisers' statues. Crime and punishment, great loves, and working lives.

A collection of country, culture, humanity and humour. A realist fiction collection of Aboriginal stories, across time and the nations within the nation.

[Josie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A real diverse collection of short stories - emotional, funny, thought provoking.

[Elena · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ★

[Danaë Paternoster · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great selection of short stories!
My favourites are :
* Spirit Woman
* Confessions of a Headhunter
* Deserts

[Ann Tonks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Depressing but lyrical - a collection of short stories, mainly about the Nyoongah people of south western Australia. Such stories hammer home the tragic impact of racism, destroying pride, marginalising people, undermining relationships. Tough but necessary stories told well.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This collection of short stories was excellent. Diverse look at the marginalized people of Australia. I am visiting my daughter in Sydney and it was fun to read an Australian author while here.