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Growing up Aboriginal in Australia
- Narrated by: Gregory J Fryer, Hunter Page-Lochard, Lisa Maza, Shari Sebbens, Tamala Shelton, Tony Briggs
- Length: 10 hrs and 21 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Literature & Fiction, Essays
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Publisher's Summary
What is it like to grow up Aboriginal in Australia? This anthology, compiled by award-winning author Anita Heiss, showcases many diverse voices, experiences and stories in order to answer that question. Accounts from well-known authors and high-profile identities sit alongside those from newly discovered writers of all ages. All of the contributors speak from the heart - sometimes calling for empathy, oftentimes challenging stereotypes, always demanding respect.
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What listeners say about Growing up Aboriginal in Australia
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Friend
- 03-23-21
Every non-Indigenous Australian should read this
Speaking as a white Australian woman, I am grateful for the opportunity to read this collection of stories from a wide range of Aboriginal voices.
I believe it is the responsibility of every non-Indigenous Australian to take the time to educate themselves on the true history of this country and the ongoing traumas experienced by Indigenous Australians.
If you take the opportunity to read these accounts, and to learn from them, it will open your eyes to the living realities of what it is to be Aboriginal in Australia. It may even go some of the way towards healing the damage that has been done.
1 person found this helpful
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- A. Rabe
- 05-01-19
Fantastic Book; illuminating personal stories
This collection of essays presents a range of life experiences of growing up aboriginal in Australia. Truly wonderful.
1 person found this helpful
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- Jonah Applebee
- 08-10-21
important read
full of hope, joy, and sorrow, an eye opening read that is well worth the time
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- Anne F.
- 11-22-19
A must read.
My ignorance as an Australian is astounding. This book needs to be required reading for everyone.
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- Anonymous User
- 06-26-21
More voice actors
Overall I really liked this book I felt that it had good insights into what its like to grow up aboriginal in Australia however I would have liked more different voice actors.
1 person found this helpful
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- Amazon Customer
- 07-24-20
beautiful
Beautiful to listen to, well read, so many interesting stories. at times heartbreaking, but taught me so much and absolutely loved it!
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- Timothy
- 01-29-20
A repository of many backgrounds
I'm new and ignorant to the story behind aboriginal people living in Australia. The personal accounts put together here are a good start for me to become more aware of my behaviour not just towards the natives, but practically anyone I meet out there on the streets.
The female narration were clear and crisp, however, some of the recordings of the narration by men lack clarity and volume. Many times I had to adjust the volume when the male voices came on.
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- Arlene Finnigan
- 08-01-19
Good enlightening read
This is a good read about a culture I have to admit I knew very little about. Some essays are more interesting/better written than others. One recurring point was that a lot of the contributors spoke about being mixed race and having to deal both with racism and with being told they weren't 'really' Aboriginal. It also give several painful personal insights into the scandal if the stolen generation.
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- Anonymous User
- 11-29-18
Great honest storytelling
It’s writing like this that helps me understand an upbringing and perspective so different from my own.
Thank you Dr Heiss for collecting these stories and making them available to hear. Thank you for having the courage to tell your story for me to hear.
6 people found this helpful
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- Anonymous User
- 09-12-20
Such a diverse range of voices!
I loved this book - hearing the diverse stories and voices of indigenous Australians from across the last century. It brought to life just how our appalling public policies and attitudes have impacted individuals and communities through generations. And demonstrates the amazing resilience of the Aboriginal people. It was both heart breaking and inspiring. So much to learn and reflect on as a white Australian.
2 people found this helpful
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- Emma
- 04-01-19
I couldn't really get into this.
i think I would have preferred a longer story of someone's life and it could have talked about varying perspectives from different Indigenous Australians around them to get the insight into different experiences but I didn't really like this topic in such short story format as some stories seemed really surface level and didn't draw me in or give me the insight into the life of an Indigenous Australian that I wanted. I didn't read the whole thing so i can't review that but It wasn't really what I was hoping for.
5 people found this helpful
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- Nicole
- 06-23-20
A powerful collection of stories
These personal stories of Australian Aboriginals bring to light what many have always known - that the resilience and grace that lives within the black community is awe inspiring. Many common threads weave throughout these diverse accounts of life, presented in a way that will make you laugh and cry and question everything you thought you knew. Thanks Dr Anita Heiss for this terrific read.
1 person found this helpful
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- Anonymous User
- 04-22-22
Good listen
Great to listen and learn more from a diverse range of experiences, very helpful for my social work studies and understanding my blood and history ❤🖤💛
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- Hayley
- 03-22-22
Every one should read this book
Empathy, education and understanding is the beat medicine for Australia and indeed the world right now. Learn and expand your white schooling. Put yourself in their shoes before you make another single comment about our First Nations people.
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- Anonymous User
- 03-01-22
All I can do is appreciate
It's not my place to rate the words shared here, but I certainly did appreciate the experience.
It's a collection of 51 stories, and they are read by a smaller number of voice actors. I really like the variety of voices and how they chose to bring each story to the listener.
The were definitely stand outs, like I Remember by Karranjal John Hartley, that I'll go back to again. But each story brings something special, and together they make a very powerful work.
These are stories that need to be told, to be heard, and to be felt. They shine the light on the shameful history of this country, and how past pain inflicted is felt across time.
But they also open a door into funny, warm, loving and quirky homes all across the nation, and delves into common threads of experience, growing up aboriginal in Australia.
Thank you
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- Katie Barr
- 02-05-22
Essential reading for all Australians
As a white Australian, listening to this audiobook was very eye opening for me as I listened to different stories that unfortunately shared a common theme of racism. White Australians need to do better. Listening to this book is a step in the right direction.
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- Kelly-ann Oosterbeek
- 11-08-21
An Outstanding Collection
The gift of perspective is precious and this outstanding narrative gives you just that.
A fascinating collection of individual experiences that open up understanding and build a greater sense of awareness of the issues faced by Australian First Nation peoples.
Presented articulately in a relatable and engaging manner.
I highly recommend this book.
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- Naalongo Acholi
- 10-14-21
Moving and Insightful Stories
Each story was unique, each felt so genuine. I found the book to be very endearing and enlightening and I have recommended it yo several friends already.