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Plains of Promise UQP Black Australian Writers Alexis Wright 9780702229176 Books

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Plains of Promise UQP Black Australian Writers Alexis Wright 9780702229176 Books

"These two benefitted from their mother's nurturing. They were Gloria's precious jewels, all she had left from her dream of freedom. In secret she taught her children the joy of love. She gave them the gift of hope."

'Plains of Promise' is heart-wrenching novel published in 1997 by the Australian author Alexis Wright. It is so harrowing that about half way through I left off reading it for a few months because it was really too much for me to take. But I've gone ahead and finished it now and I'm glad I did. In delcious imagery, Wright is able to evoke to the sounds, smells and textures of the Outback and the Dreaming. The writing is sheer beauty and evocation, like reading poetry. But the subject matter is an Aboriginal mission station around the middle of the 20th century, and the depravity and horror of it is just sickening. It was truly a grand attempt, sustained for a good century or so, to murder the culture and heritage of an entire nation of people through forced internment in prison camps. In no other novel have I wanted to reach into the pages so often and intervene in the unfolding catastrophes.

The first half focuses on the story of Ivy Koopundri, an abused child at the St Dominics mission station deep in the outback of the Northern Territory. The second half fast forwards to Melbourne around 1990, where Ivy's daughter Mary has a successful career as a computer programmer. Mary had been taken from her mother at birth and adopted to white parents. She eventually sets off on a perilous journey to try and find out who she really is. Although I was engrossed in finding out what would happen, the second half of the novel seemed quite rushed, often like a summary of events. Although it was not as full of turmoil, the beauty of the prose did dry up somewhat.

Although I have studied the history of the mission stations, reading 'Plains of Promise' makes me want to know more about the human stories behind this multi-generational crime against humanity that scars our Australian consciousness. I do not know Ivy Koopundri as well as I know Dorothea Casaubon or Stepan Verkhovensky, but I would like to. I recommend this book to anyone with a passion for understanding indigenous experiences, but I can only warn you that (especially if you have daughters) it can demand a very strong stomach. In closing, I will type out Wright's wonderful description of Madame Sadaan, a volunteer at the mental health institute who teaches the ladies belly dancing as a way to overcome their fears:

"All year round she covered herself with flowering gowns, caftans and ponchos in vivid patterns. An eye-catching behind so broad its wobbling was mesmerising to anyone walking behind. She was perfectly aware of this as she passed along the narrow corridors. Wobble, wobble, wobble, almost bumping into the walls each side. What male could resist the temptation? It would take a very dull man not to feel an irresistable temptation fer her. To watch her dance was a feast. A phenomenon. And always wobbling. If she had been the size of an elephant she would have caused earthquakes. As it was, maintanence men had to nail down the floorboards after each performance."

I am so glad that I'm not dull.


Tags : Plains of Promise (UQP Black Australian Writers) [Alexis Wright] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. <div>In this brilliant debut novel, Alexis Wright evokes city and outback, deepening our understanding of human ambition and failure,Alexis Wright,Plains of Promise (UQP Black Australian Writers),University of Queensland Press,0702229172,Literary,Fiction,Fiction - Historical,Fiction Historical,Fiction Literary,Historical - General,Modern & contemporary fiction (post c 1945)

Plains of Promise UQP Black Australian Writers Alexis Wright 9780702229176 Books Reviews

"These two benefitted from their mother's nurturing. They were Gloria's precious jewels, all she had left from her dream of freedom. In secret she taught her children the joy of love. She gave them the gift of hope."

'Plains of Promise' is heart-wrenching novel published in 1997 by the Australian author Alexis Wright. It is so harrowing that about half way through I left off reading it for a few months because it was really too much for me to take. But I've gone ahead and finished it now and I'm glad I did. In delcious imagery, Wright is able to evoke to the sounds, smells and textures of the Outback and the Dreaming. The writing is sheer beauty and evocation, like reading poetry. But the subject matter is an Aboriginal mission station around the middle of the 20th century, and the depravity and horror of it is just sickening. It was truly a grand attempt, sustained for a good century or so, to murder the culture and heritage of an entire nation of people through forced internment in prison camps. In no other novel have I wanted to reach into the pages so often and intervene in the unfolding catastrophes.

The first half focuses on the story of Ivy Koopundri, an abused child at the St Dominics mission station deep in the outback of the Northern Territory. The second half fast forwards to Melbourne around 1990, where Ivy's daughter Mary has a successful career as a computer programmer. Mary had been taken from her mother at birth and adopted to white parents. She eventually sets off on a perilous journey to try and find out who she really is. Although I was engrossed in finding out what would happen, the second half of the novel seemed quite rushed, often like a summary of events. Although it was not as full of turmoil, the beauty of the prose did dry up somewhat.

Although I have studied the history of the mission stations, reading 'Plains of Promise' makes me want to know more about the human stories behind this multi-generational crime against humanity that scars our Australian consciousness. I do not know Ivy Koopundri as well as I know Dorothea Casaubon or Stepan Verkhovensky, but I would like to. I recommend this book to anyone with a passion for understanding indigenous experiences, but I can only warn you that (especially if you have daughters) it can demand a very strong stomach. In closing, I will type out Wright's wonderful description of Madame Sadaan, a volunteer at the mental health institute who teaches the ladies belly dancing as a way to overcome their fears

"All year round she covered herself with flowering gowns, caftans and ponchos in vivid patterns. An eye-catching behind so broad its wobbling was mesmerising to anyone walking behind. She was perfectly aware of this as she passed along the narrow corridors. Wobble, wobble, wobble, almost bumping into the walls each side. What male could resist the temptation? It would take a very dull man not to feel an irresistable temptation fer her. To watch her dance was a feast. A phenomenon. And always wobbling. If she had been the size of an elephant she would have caused earthquakes. As it was, maintanence men had to nail down the floorboards after each performance."

I am so glad that I'm not dull.