Comments | heard_of_it: Not a 'do you remember' Post

rosewart in heard_of_it

Not a 'do you remember' Post

Aug 01, 2007 14:37

Growing up, I read a LOT.

One of the book series I was totally addicted to, I don't know if anyone else on here has ever heard of them...

They are the Billabong Adventures by Mary Grant Bruce (link here) http://www.latrobe.edu.au/childlit/Authors/Bruce.htm ( Read more... )

book, animals, australian

Comments 5

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rosewart August 2 2007, 02:32:45 UTC

racist to us in THIS century, but when they were written, at the turn of the 20th century, before WW1 and after, right up to WWII, her books reflected Australia as it was then.

After all, Aborigines were not recognised as Australian citizens until the referendom in 1967 (I think it was the year I was born in.. I know it was 196...soemthing) and until that point, they had no vote. Yet when you realise that Women in Australia have had the VOTE since the 1890's or so (1895: South Australian women gain voting rights. 1899: Western Australian women granted voting rights. 1900-1909 1901: Women in Australia get the vote, with some restrictions. 1902: Women in New South Wales get the vote. 1902: Australia grants more voting rights to women. <--- pedantism), the overt racism in her books was present in pretty well any novel printed (and factual stuff in papers etc) during that time.

I have to admit, I LOVED Nora and her brother though *grin*

rosewart August 2 2007, 02:45:30 UTC

That would be very interesting - especially from a female pov.

I think the books are really very obscure - I never knew anyone I grew up with that read those books and I was 8 I think when I received my first one from a lady up the street - they were my very first "real" books. I didn't consider my "Shadow the Sheepdog" et al by Enid Blyton as "real" at that point. The most fascinating thing I remember the day I was given my first "Billabong Adventure" book was that a school friend the same age gave me a "golden book" (remember those?), a note pad and pencil... and I was so upset, I was insulted. I remember throwing a temper tantrum after everyone left about being given a 'baby book' .. now I'm horrified I behaved that way!

galyndean August 1 2007, 13:02:27 UTC

I read a lot too, but that's not one I ran across. Sorry.

rosewart August 2 2007, 02:33:58 UTC

No need to apologise, they are very Australian novels written almost 100 years ago!

grey_asfaloth August 2 2007, 05:57:34 UTC

Being Australian, I grew up with these novels. We have all twelve (or more) of them and I still re-read them. They're pretty hard to find, but definitely worth it. In fact I enjoyed the later books almost more than the early ones, I don't know why.

And I know exactly what you mean, they really captivate and make you want to live that life.

A couple of other Australian books in a similar vein but more recent are the Longtime series, about a family who grow up in the mountains. There's three or so books in the series, and are by Hesba Brinsmead. I think that's how you spell her name.