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kermittfrog's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
colormecaro's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
At first (and the only reason this isn’t 5 stars), it took me a bit to get in a reading flow because of the changing viewpoints the book is told from (a dictionary, an old letter and the main character) but at some point I just started devouring this book.
As someone who is interested in language and the effects it has on how people think and see the world, I loved this book. As a speaker of different languages (although the languages I speak are nowhere near as complex and full of meaning as many an indigenous language), I appreciated the way in which this book illustrates how words can’t simply be translated. They hold a whole other dimension which is shown in the dictionary chapters of the book. By losing indigenous languages we lose all the knowledge they hold.
Apart from the language aspects, learning more about a culture that has seen the cruelest hardships feels very important. When I was 4 years old, I became fascinated with Australia (mostly its animal world) and as a 6 year old read the stories of the Dreaming (aboriginal origin stories). I was probably too young to reckon with the dark past of Australia, but this feels like a full circle moment. It all ties into my current interests and feelings about the world. I am on a mission to read more indigenous literature from around the world and this was a prime example of my why.
As someone who is interested in language and the effects it has on how people think and see the world, I loved this book. As a speaker of different languages (although the languages I speak are nowhere near as complex and full of meaning as many an indigenous language), I appreciated the way in which this book illustrates how words can’t simply be translated. They hold a whole other dimension which is shown in the dictionary chapters of the book. By losing indigenous languages we lose all the knowledge they hold.
Apart from the language aspects, learning more about a culture that has seen the cruelest hardships feels very important. When I was 4 years old, I became fascinated with Australia (mostly its animal world) and as a 6 year old read the stories of the Dreaming (aboriginal origin stories). I was probably too young to reckon with the dark past of Australia, but this feels like a full circle moment. It all ties into my current interests and feelings about the world. I am on a mission to read more indigenous literature from around the world and this was a prime example of my why.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Genocide, and Colonisation
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Police brutality, and Sexual content
Minor: Eating disorder, Grief, Hate crime, Terminal illness, Murder, Sexual assault, Drug abuse, Alcoholism, and Death of parent
jrmarr's review against another edition
5.0
This is a story of dispossession - a legacy that continues today. A story of failing to listen and learn, even when it is painful to hear. A story of living with the failures of the past, and how they can burrow so deeply into our psyches we are hardly even aware they are there. But it is also a story of family, and of bonds that are stronger than all the pain that has gone before. Told from three points of view in three different times, this is one of those books I feel should be read by everyone. Not an easy one, but an important one.
neonskylite's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Discovered when reading this that my Aboriginal friend is distantly related to Stan Grant
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation and Racism
Moderate: Child abuse, Cancer, Sexual assault, Child death, Death of parent, Grief, and Terminal illness
flame_red's review against another edition
5.0
A must read for any Australian, or person living on this continent. The power of story is incredible.
jess_mango's review against another edition
4.0
A fictional account of aboriginals in Australia. Depicts a not pretty picture of their treatment by white society. #ownvoices
tildahlia's review against another edition
4.0
An engrossing and expansive story woven from three threads, exploring family, sovereignty and history (and more). The way Wiradjuri language is woven through the book is beautiful and a tragic reminder of the way colonisation has eradicated or suppressed so many beautiful dialects in Australia that are inherently linked to the stories, cultures and experiences of First Nations communities. I loved the audiobook for this one (Tony Briggs' narration was fantastic) as I got to hear language spoken. This book leaves the reader plenty to think about.
aweekinthelife's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
started this on audio last summer but I immediately realized I would like it better in print and swapped my hold. The Yield has three different storytellers: August in real time, her grandfather Poppy through his dictionary, and an European missionary who encountered the Gondiwindis in his time setting up a mission.
appreciated learning more about Australia (although unsurprisingly the attitude towards indigenous peoples and use of residential schools was very much like Canada and the US) and the subtle queerness that is just a part of August as she reflects on her identity and belonging.
dictionary storytelling format reminds me of:
- A Dictionary of Maqiao (https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/257926aa-dd08-4563-901a-619043429998)
punkinmuffin's review against another edition
4.0
A cracking read, loved the story and the characters! This is a such a great book, and a valuable one too. As a non-indigenous person who wants to help with the work of reconciliation, one of the few things I feel like I can actually do is read indigenous writers and try to amplify their voices. I feel like I'm starting to see and hear a lot more First Australians telling their own story. This can only be a good thing.
wetherspoonsgf's review
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Much preferred this to My Place, though I was expecting it to commit to a trans/lesbian angle by the end and it did neither. Love the way Winch dives into aborginal language and uses it to drive characterisation and plot. I didn't expect it to end as hopeful as it did, and I'm not sure how I feel about it doing so. Really dislike the Yuval Noah Harari citation in the author's note at the very very end but what can you do.