My Brilliant Career

By: Miles Franklin

Narrated by: Megan Rees

"I am given to something which a man never pardons in a woman. You will draw away as though I were a snake when you hear."

With this warning, Sybylla confesses to her rich and handsome suitor that she is given to writing stories and bound, therefore, on a brilliant career.

In this ironically titled and exuberant work by Miles Franklin, originally published in 1901, Sybylla tells the story of growing up passionate and rebellious in rural New South Wales, where the most that girls could hope for was to marry or to teach. Sybylla will do neither, but that doesn't stop her from falling in love, and it doesn't make the choices any easier.

Public Domain (P)2008 Bolinda Publishing

Mixed feelings

An Australian classic, but Sybylla is not a very consistent character and the themes she deals with (class distinctions, gender roles, etc) show the authors youth, and slightly underdeveloped ideas. That being said, I've never seen such a good representation of the intrusive personal mantras of a 16 year old girl. Thoroughly enjoyed the performance, the particular voices were excellent.

Great book!

Loved it! The narrator was great and the story was very interesting. Wasn't my first choice for a book pick but ended up being a really great listen!