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A review by allisonout
The Book That Made Me by Judith Ridge
4.0
This is a charming and eclectic collection of stories about stories. Thirty-two unique authors write about the stories that made indelible impressions on them in their youth and shaped their pathways as adults. From manga illustrators to novelists, these artists teach us about the astounding ripple effect that occurs when a child finds a story that speaks to them.
As an avid reader and aspiring writer, I love learning about how others respond to stories. It is such a magical process to interpet and surmise the author's meaning and then weave that together with your own responses. This creates a totally unique, intimate yet solitary, experience between reader and author. I love that so many of these stories dive into how appreciative the readers are for that experience but also what they decided to do to continue that tradition and why.
I also really appreciated the inclusion of Aboriginal perspectives and the support this book provides to indigenous Aboriginal communities. A few of the writers touched on the racism and prejudice they had experienced in Australia and New Zealand. This struck a chord with me as I had some similiar impressions during my brief study abroad semester in Australia. I happened to fall for a local I met at a club and his mother was Aboriginal. I was shocked by the backlash I received from the Australian students I considered my friends. I'm grateful to learn brave writers are fighting intolerance with education and compassion. Just another way stories are magical and change the world.
As an avid reader and aspiring writer, I love learning about how others respond to stories. It is such a magical process to interpet and surmise the author's meaning and then weave that together with your own responses. This creates a totally unique, intimate yet solitary, experience between reader and author. I love that so many of these stories dive into how appreciative the readers are for that experience but also what they decided to do to continue that tradition and why.
I also really appreciated the inclusion of Aboriginal perspectives and the support this book provides to indigenous Aboriginal communities. A few of the writers touched on the racism and prejudice they had experienced in Australia and New Zealand. This struck a chord with me as I had some similiar impressions during my brief study abroad semester in Australia. I happened to fall for a local I met at a club and his mother was Aboriginal. I was shocked by the backlash I received from the Australian students I considered my friends. I'm grateful to learn brave writers are fighting intolerance with education and compassion. Just another way stories are magical and change the world.