For our September meeting our group discussed a variety of books within the genre of Autobiographies, Biographies and Memoirs. Our range of interests, views and observations are always wide.
JUDY J - EMPRESS OF THE NILE by Lynne Olson. Christiane, born into an artistic family in France, developed a passion for ancient Egypt from a young age, studying Egyptology and going on many digs. During WW2 she joined the resistance, gathering and preserving many priceless pieces of art during the War. After the war ended she helped return these items. Christiane was a strong force, outspoken and bold in the area of Egyptian Antiquities. She helped save Abu Simbal and other temples from flooding of the Aswan Dam. A remarkable woman.
LYNETTE - THE STABLE BOY OF AUSCHWITZ - Henry Oster. Henry was a German Jew, only a boy when the Nazi's rounded up his family, sent his mother and sisters to 1 camp and he and his father to another. He managed to survive 6 years in internment camps, separated from his family facing incredible brutality and starvation daily. Henry ended up looking after the horses in the stables, also a high risk role. His story of survival is amazing. A brilliant novel with many insightful thoughts revealed.
ROSEMARY - THE JERILDERIE LETTER - Ned Kelly. In Ned's own words he tries to justify the massacre at Stringy Bark Creek and his life, admitting to his crimes but declaring he was forced into crime because of others actions. There is some doubt if he actually penned the letter as Ned was very poorly educated. The letter is well written, set in the Australia of 1870's and shows all the biases of the times - the position of the Monarchy in society, the attitude towards Police and authority, the views of Irish Catholics etc. Fascinating.
JOHN - CHAOS THEORY - The notion that a small incident, action etc can have dramatic implications far away. A butterfly flaps its wings in Mexico and a hurricane lashes China, we live in an interconnected world. There are patterns in life. It needs to be read and then re read to gain deeper meaning of the theory.
CONNIE - THE THUNDERBOLT KID - Bill Bryson. Bill, born in USA 1951, had a lot of freedom growing up, and he used his time getting into mischief. Connie thought he was really more of a juvenile delinquent and it's amazing that he went onto huge worldwide success as an adult. He was a very naughty boy.
JOAN - CLARA SCHUMANN - THE ARTIST AND THE WOMAN. Nancy Reich. 2001. Born 1819 into a musical family, she was raised by a stern, autocratic father. Clara was a child prodigy, concert pianist, teacher, mother of 8 children, married to Robert Schumann. Clara played by ear and memory. An extraordinary women. She was close to Brahms, and mixed with Liszt and Wagner. 'A WORLD WITHOUT MUSIC WOULD BE A MISTAKE'.
HELEN - FAIR GAME - Alex Blackwell. Alex was a national champion cricketer. She represented Australia, became captain of the team and was a strong advocate for women, highlighting and calling out hypocrisy and discrimination in a very male dominated sport. Yet she struggled and found it hard to accept her own sexuality.
KRIS - KNOWING MANDELA - John Carlin. Covering the time from when Mandela was released from prison till his death, the author views Mandela as a towering moral and political figure. He had great respect and admiration for him. Over time Mandela realised that fighting would not end apartheid, peace being the only way. During his incarceration Mandela befriended many people from all backgrounds, he was shrewd and learnt to speak Afrikaner - a useful tool later during negotiations with different cultural groups. Kris enjoyed this book so much - he was a man of integrity and kindness.
ROSEMARY S - PUT YOUR FEET IN THE DIRT GIRL - Sonia Henry. 2023.
Sonia is a current doctor and writer. Looking to escape the city after the end of an unhappy relationship and the stresses of city life, Sonia was going to travel afar but Covid shut down borders. Instead she became a locum in rural Australia, often the only GP for many kilometres. Whilst supported by excellent nursing staff she had to deal with serious life threatening injuries, mental health issues, everyday medical situations, a lack of continuity of treatment especially for chronic ailments, critical understaffing, supply issues and the problems caused by isolation. Sonia moved from town to town but found the problems in healthcare were the same across the outback. Rosemary really enjoyed this book full of heart, energy, rage and wonderment of nature.
JO - FOR THE LOVE OF OSCAR - Sarah Roberts. When Oscar is born with Down's Syndrome, first time mum Sarah has to learn how to deal with the new 'normal'. She talks about the ups and downs of not only raising a child but also the extra complications of a child with special needs. Paperwork, tears, frustrations, pride, sleepless nights, ignorant comments from strangers - a personal journey for her family. Jo said the book was beautiful, she loved it.
SHEILA - UNRELIABLE MEMOIRS - Clive James. 1980. Shows what a magical place Sydney was for Clive growing up in suburban Sydney post WW2. His observations and events he experienced were well worth reading.
PAMELA - KISMET - 2015. Jennifer Lawless. There were 67 Australian POW's taken during the Gallipoli Campaign in Turkey during WW1. 24 died of disease or wounds. The Turkish treated the prisoners with respect. There is a lot of misinformation about the Turks and this book, well researched and with good detail challenges the more common harsh and miserable 'plight' of captured soldiers. All 67 prisoners were researched and profiled in the well documented histories of the POW's.
JUDY D - JANE AUSTEN - Interesting historical fiction. A good book.
TAMARA - SINS OF THE BROTHERS - Mark Whitaker. The Backpacker Murders, when 7 young people were brutally murdered and buried, became a 3 year police investigation. The details and storyline make for fascinating and riveting reading. Many members of the large Milat family are revealed. Out of 14 children only 3 did not participate in crime. Their father was a cruel, hard and very tough man. A world so different.
BEV - AGATHA CHRISTIE- AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY. 1965. It took Agatha Christie 15 years to complete her autobiography. The time covered in the writing is from early childhood to when the autobiography ends in 1965. Agatha was raised by a 'nanny' who told, and encouraged her, to make up stories. Her father had lost most of the family's inherited money so they were forced to move, and rent. The events recounted are selective as the author was guarded in what she wanted to reveal. A book that was big and slow going.
JUDY A - FREE: COMING OF AGE AT THE END OF HISTORY. Lea Ypi.
Lea was raised in Albania, a very isolated country with a Stalinist regime that had replaced religion. 1990 saw massive change - freedom to wear clothing of choice, ability to vote and worship freely. With this freedom people fled, often on crowded ships, to other countries, factories closed, jobs were lost, pyramid schemes bankrupted the country resulting in anarchy and violence by 1997. A clunky and difficult book to read but it did spur Judy to read further about Albania.
LESLEY - MIKE WILLESEE - MEMOIRS - 2017. Mike, oldest of a family of 6, grew up in Perth. His father, a strong union man, eventually became a senator under the Whitlam Government. Mike initially worked in print media but had big ideas on possibilities in TV. He developed well honed interview skills, was not afraid to ask hard or uncomfortable questions and looked for truth and honesty in his interviewees. Ultimately he created/hosted many hugely successful shows - A Current Affair, 4 Corners, This Day Tonight, This is Your Life, Willesee, Willesee at 7 plus produced numerous documentaries (Vietnam, Bali 9 and Quentin - a young boy with brittle bones). He fostered the careers of Paul Hogan and John Cornell, mixed with media tycoons, celebrities, sports stars, politicians and ordinary people. Mike was driven, highly ambitious, a hard negotiator and highly respected. His private life was not smooth but he faced every challenge head on. Quite enjoyable.
October reads will focus on Old Westerns USA.
Lesley.
No comments:
Post a Comment