This post is sponsored by Get Reading!
By KATE HUNTER
I could go all highbrow on this post and write about the Australian novels I studied, absorbed, respected as I was growing up. There were many – I was quite a reader. Perhaps because my family had a, ‘no TV during the week’ rule. I despised my parents for it at the time – now I thank them, and wish I had the guts to impose similar boundaries on my own kids.
The first book I really remember as being ‘Australian’ is Seven Little Australians. I don’t know why I related to it – their life in the bush couldn’t have been more different from my brick veneer suburban world. Maybe because it was about brothers and sisters and loss? Even now I get nervous around gum trees in strong winds.
Oh, Ju-Ju, please don’t die.
Then there was My Brother Jack. This was one of those books we were ‘made’ to study at school. Thanks to the enthusiasm of Mrs Brosnan (who’s still teaching at the same school, 27 years after I left), we learned books could have swear words and still be considered literature. It was a revelation. My brother Jack was gritty, honest, funny and gave us LOTS to talk about, years before we’d even heard of book clubs.
Whenever I think I can’t write, I re-read A Fortunate Life.
Although A B Facey never did a creative writing course, barely went to school, wouldn’t know an adjective if it bought him a beer, he wrote the most evocative, charming and powerful autobiography I think I’ve ever read. And he didn’t even DO anything much. He didn’t circumnavigate the globe, win Wimbledon or party with a Kardashian. He wrote the story of a life that was remarkable in its ordinariness. And it’s stunning.
Despite all that, I’m almost embarrassed to admit the Australian book that made the biggest impact on me was The Thorn Birds, by Colleen McCullogh. I read it at a rented beach house at about age 15 and fell in love with the ‘saga’. This book is the literary equivalent of Sizzler – something for everyone – love, landscape, history, religion, family, natural disaster, human torment, adventure and sex. Like Sizzler, it’s not especially nutritious, but it’s difficult to stop going back for more.
Browse this year’s all Australian 50 Books You Can’t Put Down in the gallery below:
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Get Reading!, Australia’s largest celebration of books and reading is back in 2012! Every one of the 50 Books You Can’t Put Down in this year’s Get Reading! All Australian Guide is a guaranteed great read, hand-picked by Australian booksellers, authors, publishers and readers. For the latest Get Reading! news, including author events, visit them online at their official website, Facebook, Twi
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What Australian book made the biggest impact on you? Either as an adult or a child. Your comment will put you into the draw to win ALL 50 books on the Get Reading! list. 5 Runners up will receive a pack of 10 books. You must be a member to enter. Comments close 10/10/12.
Comments
435 Comments so far
“Tomorrow, when the War Began”, by John Marsden. I was 13 when I read it, and over 10 years later I still remember the feeling I got at the end of the first chapter. It was a strange mix of terror and excitement – not to mention the goosebumps I had all over my body! It was then I realised how powerful words could be and the sheer might of storytelling… I still sometimes imagine what it would be like if something similar happened here today, though now having a background in international relations i understand how unlikely it is. Truly amazing.
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My favourite Aussie book is Rhubarb by Craig Silvey. It made me laugh, the characters were diverse from people to animals but they came alive while reading the book. The spin off kids book The World According to Warren was great too
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Anh & Suzanne Do’s The Littlest Refugee – I read this book as an adult (i.e. only this year), but it is brilliant and it presents such a positive way of understanding things that are too big to understand for younger readers. Even as an adult reader of the children’s book, it was inspiring. This is the type of book that I want my children to read as it is more than just a story – it’s a way about living life to the best of your ability, regardless of whether you understand everything around you or not.
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The Road from Coorain by Jill Ker Conway. Such a beautiful read! Also, can’t forget Jackie French books from when I was little.
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I would like to win the fifty books pack. I am an avid reader and writer.I enjoyed
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I just started a book club last month of 10 reading mums and to kick it off we read Anh Do’s The Happiest Refugee. My absolute favourite Australian book! It was truly inspirational to read the struggles of Anh’s family and how much of a positive person he still grew up to be. Simply wonderful.
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When I was a kid, I could not get over 100% Wolf by Jayne Lyons.
It was the one book that stood out to me as a child, the one book that started my long reading list that still grows today. Mind you, as a kid, I absolutely abhorred books and cringed at the word. But this book really captivated me, made me laugh out loud and gasp at every second chapter.
I didn’t want to let go of the book (I considered taking it into the shower). I was so enthusiastic about it I drawled on and on to everyone around me about how amazing the book was. I still re-read the book when I get angry or stressed.
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The Book Thief by Markus Zusak had the most profound effect on me. The author took the most unusual approach to a horrying topic – a family in Nazi Germany at the time of the Holocaust, as narrated by Death. I was spellbound from the first page, cared deeply about the characters, couldn’t wait to read the next section even though much of it had me appalled and close to tears. It’s a soaring work of literature, that could not have been told in any other way but the one that this writer chose. The memories will stay with me for ever.
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Tomorrow When the War Began by John Marsden.
Even though it is a young adult (teen) story I read it recently for the first time (as an adult) and instantly became caught up in the drama and horror of the series. The ‘never quit’, ‘not going down without a fight’ mentality that I think is strong amongst Australians is beautifully en-captured within the ‘ballsy’ teens in the story. I would like to think that if what occurred in the story happened when I was a teen I that I would have the fortitude to act as they did.
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The Australian book that had the greatest impact on me was possibly Sabriel by Garth Nix. Until this time I has always looked to the famous overseas writers to fill my fantasy need. I read Sabriel and realised that here was an Australian author who’s stories had just as much impact as those overseas authors. From that time I have been a Garth Nix fan and have filled my house with his work.
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A couple of months ago I read a book called the Trout Opera by Matthew Condon. It is set over a 100 yr period in the Snowy Mountains. Through the Snowy Mountain scheme and up to the 2000 Olympic Games. Great Aussie drama. I keep thinking about it so it must of made an impact on me.
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I try to read a variety of books but I much prefer Australian novelists. My favourite all time Australian novel is The Fortunes Of Richard Mahoney by Henry Handel Richardson. Ir is so timeless and so moving in its emotional descriptions.
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The Lucy Family Alphabet by Judith Lucy. Loved it so much that when I finished it, I started reading it again. And then I discovered that this was available as an audiobook with Judith reading which is just even more hilarious. Her delivery is as dry as the Australian outback, her humour is just so Australian with that ability to self-deprecate and laugh at ourselves and her laidback attitude makes her my personal hero. I Love Lucy!!
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Love Song by Nikki Gemmell, I read it when I was in the UK and the yearning for home felt familiar as well as being a beautiful and sad story and it’s the first book that made me fall for the poetry of writing.
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Mem Fox’s “Where is the green sheep” has had a huge impact on my life. It is the first book that my son fell in love with and I had to read it over and over to him. It really sparked his love of reading and has helped us develop a read-every-day-before-bedtime routine. I love snuggling with him and sharing a book (or four!).
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‘A fortunate life’, by AB Facey, hands down, for an adult novel. Living on a farm, with a husband who has farming in his blood, we both loved every single word. It was amazing. My husband doesn’t read books but he chewed through this in two days. ‘A burnt stick’ is also an amazing short story about the Stolen Generation. Oh, and ‘The Rainbow Serpent’ and, more recently ‘Look See, look at me’ is the most beautiful indigenous pitcutre book with such amazing illustrations. There are so many more…
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One of my favourite books my children like and I loved when I was younger is Possum magic. What a great Australian children’s book that Mem Fox wrote.
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Morgan’s Run by Colleen McCullough – so much great detail about the realities of the first settlement. I couldn’t put it down and it still lives with me.
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Without Warning-John Birmingham-exciting read and gives you lots of food for thought. Ive just finished the next book in this series
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One of my favourite books when I was younger was “Playing Beattie Bow” by Ruth Park. When I was a little older, I enjoyed the “Missus” trilogy. Wonderful stories by a a truly talented lady.
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Bliss by Peter Carey, somewhat shocking and made me look at the world differently, I read this in my twenties.
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Bryce Courtney, The Potatoe Factory. Loved it.
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April Fools Day by Bryce Courtenay. At the time, AIDS was a social disgrace, as it was presumed to be contracted only by homosexual activity. Courtenay’s son contracted HIV through blood transfusions for his leukaemia, and the story of his illness and death, told by his father, was an eye-opener for many, and emotionally profound.
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I would have to say as a young girl who “LOVED” horses and was not so fussed on reading….what pulled me in to the pleasure of reading – the fantasy of horses, was the classic Silver Brumby series by Elyne Mitchell. I must have been 9 or 10 and I became addicted and read many of the series and also other horse novels like ‘King of the Wind’ by Marguerite Henry. It may have started all about horses but it grew to be a love of the well written word.
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Reading ‘From Strength to Strength’ by Sara Henderson in my mid 20′s really effected and inspired me.I was living on a farm(my boyfriends family’s) at the time and a lot of Sara’s experiences resonated with me.What a truly amazing woman she was and Bullo Station seemed cruel and unrelenting at times.Sara rose above it all,snakes,sea sickness in a cyclone(she was pregnant),drought and being totally stranded in the middle of dusty nowhere.Such Aussie spirit and I think every Aussie must read.It certainly helped me through some moments.
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Tim Winton’s ‘Cloudstreet’ hands down is my favourite Australian novel. The poetry of his writing and the depth of character is breathtaking. (was made into a great play by Nick Enright aswell). For children fav Australia book is ‘Naked Bunyip Dancing’ – can’t remember who the author is…
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I too studied the book My Brother Jack in school, was unforgettable
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As a child, it was hard to go past Mem Fox’s anything, but especially ‘Possum Magic’ (I still have the copy I received as a child, as tattered and in pieces as it may be). As a teenager, we read ‘Playing Beatie Bow’ by Ruth Park – a novel I have re-read every year or so ever since. My partner introduced me to the “Tomorrow Series” in my early 20s, and I’m not sure how I missed them growing up. But the book that changed my perspective of literature was Peter Carey’s “The Fat Man In History”. It challenged my ‘comfort zone’ when it came to books – short stories that sometimes feel unfinished, or start you in the middle of a narrative so it always feels like you’re out of the loop, or take you somewhere completely unexpected – whatever the story, you always felt slightly uncomfortable reading them. It opened me up to a whole new world of literature that I’d never felt the need to dabble in before.
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The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. Have recommended it to numerous friends. Zusak chose Death as the narrator – something very different, but Death is sympathetic and caring. The story is about books and reading and rebellion during the dreadful, turbulent times in which the story is set.
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Tim Winton is my favourite Australian author but Picnic at Hanging Rock would have to be my favourite Australian book of all time( memorable) and book thief which I recommend all the students where I work to read. None have ever been disappointed no matter how much they are into reading. (I work in a secondary school library)
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‘Deadly, Unna?’ by Phillip Gwynne. I have read it to every English class I have taught since it was published. Also read it to my husband. A must read for Australian students.
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The Slap-raw and honest and shameful
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the amazing uncomparable, “Songs of Central Australia” by T.G.H Strehlow.
The most amazing indigenous songs translated with Biblical accuracy.. divine poetic writing. Why only 1000 copies? Why will the Northern Territory Government who purchased the copyright and keep it under wraps… release it for all Australians to marvel!
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Jessica by Bryce Courtney. Fantastic depiction of early 1900′s outback love story/tradegy. Still re-read it al least once a year!!
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I loved “My Brilliant Career” by Miles Franklin.The novel inspired me, but so did the writer, a woman who went to great lengths to achieve her goals and dreams. I loved every word of it and it started me on a journey of reading Australian literature, which has become a life long love.
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Without question, it’s Summerland by Jackie French for me. I adored it when I was a young one, and I adore it still.
It’s a beautiful story with a powerful message.
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Jasper Jones – Craig Silvey
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When I first arrived in Australia at the age of seven, I read my way through all the Mary Grant Bruce ‘Billabong’ books in the school library! It was my introduction to the Australian ‘outback’ in fiction.
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The Merry-go-round In the sea by Randolph Stow. My father gave me this novel to read when I was in year 8. I loved it then and I love it now, 14 years later.I found it endearing how Rob worshipped Rick. I love the way the lifestyle, landscape and relationships are described throughout. And how wartime Australia is portrayed through such young eyes
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My absolute favourite Australian book is the Harp in the South by Ruth Park. Reading about that era of history in Australia is endlessly fascinating. I would have loved to live in Sydney at that time.
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My favourite Australian book ever is “My Sister Sif” by Ruth Park. I first read this at primary school and was so desperate to grow up to be a mermaid! From primary school until now at 35 years of age, I drag this book out usually once a year and relive the mermaid dreams! My copy is much-loved but definitely quite tattered. In my adult years my favourite Australian author is Geraldine Brooks. Her prose is amazing and each book is different. Year of Wonders is one of my favourite books of all time!
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I learned English in my forties. In the same time I was introduced to Australian literature. My first book was A Fortunate Life. While I practiced English language reading this excellent book, I learned something about Australian history and way of life.
My favorite Australis author is Alex Miller. Love all his novels but Prochownik’s Dream is favorite. Why I love this book? Need one essay to explain. Some other time.
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I loved all the CS lewis books – just loved them.
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While this may sound very daggy – reading Blinky Bill by Dorothy Wall as a child really affected me. It also started my life-long love of animals, especially our wonderful Koalas.
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Just a small correction–the Woolcot family in Seven Little Australians did not live in the bush. They lived on the Parramatta River in Sydney. Judy died when they were visiting Esther’s family on a property some distance outside of Sydney. They were city/suburban kids, as the world was then, not country kids. Cheers.
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The Silver Brumby series would have to be my number 1 even after all these years (I think I first read them about thirty years ago). I am sure it turned many horse mad youngsters in avid readers for life!
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April Fools Day – Bryce Courtney
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Great review, gave me a few laughs and motivated me to update my reading list
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I discovered Drusilla Modjeska when I was about 15 and have loved her ever since. I have loved all her books but if I had to pick a favourite it would be Poppy.
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Redback by Lindy Cameron was one of the more recent ones that I loved, then Matthew Reilly’s, Bryce Courtenay’s, Mem Fox, Micheal Palmer, the list goes on depending on my mood and genre and if I am reading for myself or children. What I loved about Redback though was that it is Australian and is crime related with a difference to others available.
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